Ethiopia targets 4.9Mn jobs through outsourcing

ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA — The Ministry of Labor and Skills (MoLS) in Ethiopia recently unveiled an ambitious plan to generate 4.9 million jobs in the current Ethiopian Fiscal Year (EFY).
This initiative is part of a comprehensive strategy to capitalize on the outsourcing industry‘s potential, which is anticipated to contribute to the country’s economic growth significantly.
Outsourcing industry as a growth catalyst
In a recent discussion, MoLS State Minister Solomon Soka highlighted the critical role of digital technologies in fostering economic development.
He noted that digital technologies are instrumental in connecting people, governments, and businesses, highlighting the digital economy’s role in facilitating job creation through outsourcing.
The outsourcing sector holds substantial promise for Ethiopia, where over 2 million new job seekers enter the labor market annually. The government plans to leverage this sector to create significant employment opportunities, with 700,000 of the projected jobs expected to be overseas positions.
Collaboration and infrastructure development
Soka emphasized the importance of collaboration among various stakeholders, including the government, private sector, and development partners, to establish Ethiopia as a hub for outsourcing.
“The collaboration of all stakeholders is crucial to make Ethiopia the center of the outsourcing industry,” he noted. Enhancements in infrastructure and internet connectivity have been prioritized to support this vision.
Wondwesen Zewde, President of the Ethiopian Outsourcing Association, commended the government’s commitment to digital economic development and technological transformation.
He also stressed the need for ongoing collaboration to exploit the outsourcing market’s potential fully.
Building on past successes
Ethiopia already made significant progress in job creation, having generated 3.7 million jobs and secured 345,000 overseas employments in the previous fiscal year.
The current plan aims to build on these successes by expanding the outsourcing sector and developing a skilled workforce capable of meeting global demands.
As Ethiopia continues to enhance its digital infrastructure and workforce capabilities, the outsourcing industry is poised to become a major driver of the nation’s economic growth and job creation efforts.
The Ministry’s initiative represents a strategic move to harness the power of digital technologies and global connectivity, paving the way for a more prosperous economic future for Ethiopia.