Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Calls for African Political Parties to Work Towards Continental and National Development

On October 27, 2019, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed addressed the 2nd African Political Parties Conference in Addis Ababa, which was held under the theme "Managing Development: African Political Parties as Architects of the Future of the African Economy". In his speech, he emphasized the need for African political parties to come up with progressive ideas to drive continental and national development. The conference brought together various political parties from across the continent to discuss their role in shaping the future of Africa.

The Prime Minister noted that the conference's theme was crucial in understanding the contribution of political parties to improving the lives of citizens. He shared his vision of inclusivity with the conference participants, stressing that every citizen has a role to play in the country's development. According to him, the government's focus is on creating a platform where citizens can contribute to the country's growth, regardless of their political affiliations.

During the conference, the Prime Minister highlighted the achievements of his party, the Prosperity Party, which has grown to have around 17 million members. He stated that the party's inclusive approach has enabled it to reach out to various segments of society, and that it has made significant strides in expanding its political base. In the 7th general election, the party made 15% of parliamentary seats available to opposition parties.

Prime Minister Abiy also discussed the country's economic reforms, including the liberalization of the telecom and banking sectors, and the implementation of a market-based foreign exchange system. These reforms aim to drive economic growth and improve the lives of Ethiopians. The Prime Minister expressed his satisfaction with the progress made so far and reiterated his commitment to continuing on this path.

The Prime Minister also touched on the country's digital transformation, noting that over 53 million citizens have obtained a digital ID. This, he said, has facilitated various transactions and improved the efficiency of government services. He emphasized that the government will continue to invest in digital infrastructure to enhance the lives of citizens.

In his speech, Prime Minister Abiy encouraged African political parties to work together to address the continent's challenges. He emphasized that the future of Africa depends on the ability of its political parties to develop and implement progressive policies that promote economic growth and social development.

The conference provided a platform for African political parties to share experiences and best practices in promoting economic growth and social development. It also offered an opportunity for parties to forge partnerships and collaborations that can help drive development on the continent. The Prime Minister's call to action is expected to resonate with political parties across Africa, who are looking for ways to make a positive impact on the lives of their citizens.

Key points

• Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has called on African political parties to come up with progressive ideas to drive continental and national development.
• The Ethiopian government has implemented various reforms, including the liberalization of the telecom and banking sectors, and the implementation of a market-based foreign exchange system.
• Over 53 million Ethiopian citizens have obtained a digital ID, facilitating various transactions and improving the efficiency of government services.