Ethiopia

Summary
Ethiopia exhibits a very high level of digital dependence, with the third-highest DDI value in the dataset. Despite some improvements across specific dimensions, the DDI value increased substantially from 0.67 in 2010 to 0.90 in 2023, reflecting 34 percent growth in overall dependence. Dependence on ICT patents remained complete (average 1.00), while reliance on foreign platforms declined slightly but remained high (around 0.94 in 2023). Dependence on ICT services increased markedly, from 0.20 in 2010 to 0.72 in 2023, although with considerable fluctuations over the period. By contrast, Ethiopia reduced its dependence on trade in ICT goods, reaching values close to 0.90 after peaking near complete dependence in the early 2010s.

Policies
Ethiopia passed policies in the fields of cybersecurity and cloud infrastructure to reduce its digital dependence between 2020 and 2026. One interesting initiative was the substitution of foreign communication tools with homegrown alternatives in the sphere of administrative software, led by the Information Network Security Administration (INSA). Another key policy document is the “Digital Ethiopia 2030 Strategy”, which includes multiple ambitious goals that shall be reached by 2030.