Topic: 2026 – Digital Equity for Children
Country: Ethiopia
Delegate Name: Ella Riddle
Ethiopia has faced the issue of digital equity for years. Even though Ethiopia is currently working to address this issue, a significant rural-urban divide remains. A consistent lack of electricity and internet connectivity currently affects around 13-28% of children. Although there is a high percentage of urban electrification, reliable power remains an issue. Reasons for this lack of digital equity can be attributed to governmental power, infrastructure deficiencies, high costs, and physical damage of sites. Digital equity is crucial for children because it helps bridge the rural-urban divide, foster inclusive education, and build skills for future generations.
The government of Ethiopia recognizes that addressing the lack of digital equity in children is important for development. Consequently, actions have been taken to reduce the inequity that is seen across rural areas including implementing policies, programs, and interventions that have been put in place. The government of Ethiopia has partnered with UNICEF and Camara Education to set up digital learning centers in overwhelmingly rural areas like Afar, Oromia, and Gambella. Additionally, there have been efforts to provide more training to educators in computer-based learning methods with the goal of improving digital literacy. Some programs like the General Education Quality Improvement Program for Equity(GEQIP-E) and Digital Transformation Strategy have been implemented to improve rural connectivity and establish educational environments that heavily integrate technology. Despite consistent efforts, lack of digital equity continues to be an issue due to factors like damaged infrastructure and high costs.
Currently, the Ethiopian government has programs that are aiming to address this issue.. One of these programs includes the Digital Ethiopia 2030 Strategy, which aims to expand digital access and build an economy that is fit for digital integration in everyday life, including schools. The Girls in Stem(STEM Power) initiative has also been adopted to provide hands-on electronic learning, virtual labs, and mentorship to girls located in rural areas with the goal of addressing the gender digital divide. However, the country of Ethiopia is not able to build these programs on their own. At the center of Ethiopia’s policies, there is a heavy reliance on international help and funding– including funding from the World Bank. Historically, 50-60 percent of the nation’s budget is from foreign aid. Many of these donors are the United States, European Union, World Bank, and United Nations agencies.
To continue to fight for digital equity for children, Ethiopia needs international help. One possible solution to this problem would be partnering with UNICEF to build more learning environments that foster digital learning. Along with this idea, expanding upon existing programs to train more teachers and create online learning platforms for those located in rural areas would also help bridge the rural-urban gap. In addition to this, partnering with United Nation agencies would also allow the ability to create effective solutions to fix damaged infrastructure and build new infrastructure, which would target rural areas as well. Ultimately, international partnerships are crucial for achieving digital equity for children in Ethiopia.
