INNOVATE ETHIOPIA
Written by Daniel Hailemariam
ZOMA Magazine, volume 3, number 1, January 2012

Especially nowadays, after welcoming the seven billionth babies and in the face of ever depleting resources, the world is desperate for innovative ideas on how efficiently and sustainably to support human existence. Innovation is no more a luxury but a mere necessity. To this end the developing world, specifically Africa, is seeing innumerable ideas emerging; what is more exciting is ordinary people are creating extraordinary ideas which really matter. For example, in Tanzania, there is a project that provides health care through mobile phones, especially for people health care through mobile phones, especially for people living with HIV; people get reminder pages to make sure they take their medication. Additionally, the Apps4Africa Climate Change competition is another project that is engaging and collecting ideas from Africans on ways to use mobile technology to tackle climate issues.  

Though a latecomer, Ethiopia has joined the run for innovation. And there is considerable ground to cover. New schools and trainers are flourishing on the subject of entrepreneurship and innovation. But this subject should be well integrated with the educational system if entrepreneurs are to flourish. And once innovative ideas are flowing, organizational support should be there to effectively and sustainably conduct the projects. The importance of innovation in our lives can't be overstressed as it supports economic and social development, besides effectively addressing the technology divide.

To this line, an organization called Digital Opportunity Trust (DOT) Ethiopia has been established and it organizes events in the city [DOT Innovation Festival]. The festival has become a platform for people to bring up innovative ideas and compete for an award, based on the social impact of the idea. The event brings together people from various backgrounds, offering them the prospect of constructing feasible plans to make their ideas a reality.

This past year's innovation festival was organized around the themes of creating and growing a business, ideas and concepts, and innovative approaches to mobile technology. Firstly, it looks for creative business ideas with a futuristic perspective for previously untapped opportunities. It also seeks to involve people who have recognized a problem that needs to be solved in an innovative form. Additionally, it focused on people with creative solutions on how to effectively utilize cellular communication technology, developing the future of Ethiopia.

Events such as the innovation festival, besides offering innovators the space to achieve their dreams, serves as a platform to promote innovation and entrepreneurships, which are vital components for the future of Ethiopia.

"Just as energy is the basis of life itself and ideas the source of innovation, so is innovation the vital spark of all human change, improvement and progress." Ted Levitt

About the author of the article

Daniel Hailemariam, a regular contributor of ZOMA magazine is one of DOT Ethiopia's career development workshop program participants. Daniel is a soon to be medical doctor currently working as an intern at one of the biggest hospitals in Addis Ababa. As a 2^nd year medical student, he worked as Head of the Office of Medical Education at the Ethiopian Medical Students Association. Daniel has previously written articles for publications like EMSA newsletter and others.