Ethiopia is making notable strides in expanding its domestic production of pharmaceuticals and medical equipment, according to Dr. Abdulkadir Gelgelo, Director General of the Pharmaceutical Supply Service of Ethiopia (EPSS).
Speaking at the 4th International Pharmaceutical Suppliers Conference in Addis Ababa, Dr. Gelgelo highlighted the conducive environment fostered to support this growth within Ethiopia. The conference, themed “Building Strong Local and International Alliances for a Common Vision,” convened international pharmaceutical suppliers, industry representatives, and experts to discuss creating a transparent and efficient pharmaceutical supply chain.
Dr. Abdulkadir emphasized the tangible progress made since the Third International Drug Supply Conference, citing significant achievements in domestic production. “Ethiopia has now commenced production of medical gloves and syringes,” he announced.
He further highlighted the local assembly of ultrasound machines as a significant milestone in the production of domestic medical devices. “This success demonstrates the growing potential of Ethiopia’s medical technology sector,” Dr. Abdulkadir added.
Daniel Waktole, President of the Ethiopian Pharmaceutical and Medical Supplies Manufacturers Association (EPMSMA), echoed Dr. Abdulkadir’s assessment, emphasizing the positive impact of the government’s attention to the medical sector and recent policy and operational reforms. He underscored the favorable conditions for pharmaceutical manufacturing in Ethiopia, as well as the critical infrastructure provided by the Kilinto Industrial Park. Daniel also shared his vision of positioning Ethiopia as a hub for pharmaceutical suppliers in Africa.
Dr. Abdulkadir stressed the need to create additional investment opportunities to address the country’s current medicine supply needs. He reaffirmed EPSS’s commitment to forging strong partnerships, both domestically and internationally, emphasizing that the conference itself serves as a platform to facilitate such collaborations.
The conference, which drew participation from over 100 international pharmaceutical suppliers both in person and online, reflects Ethiopia’s dedication to strengthening its healthcare sector through local production and strategic partnerships.
A recent survey conducted by the African Leadership University (ALU) has revealed that nearly two-thirds (65%) of school leavers in Ethiopia are worried about limited job opportunities following their education. The 2025 Africa Workforce Readiness Survey, the first pan-African survey of its kind, provides critical insights into the perspectives of young graduates and employers regarding higher education, career prospects, and the economy.
The survey, which gathered responses from nearly 8,000 participants across nine African countries, found that Ethiopian school leavers’ primary concerns about entering the job market include a lack of available jobs (65%), an unfavorable economic climate (37%), and insufficient work experience (29%). Additionally, 24% of respondents expressed a lack of confidence in their ability to secure employment after graduation.
Despite these concerns, Ethiopian school leavers remain optimistic about the future of the broader African economy. An impressive 85% expressed hope for economic growth, the highest percentage among all countries surveyed. In contrast, only 67% of Ethiopian employers shared this optimism, ranking fourth lowest among participating nations.
Veda Sunassee, CEO of ALU, emphasized the importance of addressing these challenges. “This survey clearly shows that to unlock the immense potential of young Africans, higher education must focus on leadership, problem-solving, and building strong links with the business world,” Sunassee stated. “By bridging the gap between education and workforce demands, we can empower Africa’s next generation of leaders to drive meaningful change.”
The survey also highlighted the need for improved skills and experience among graduates. While 74% of Ethiopian school leavers are considering pursuing higher education in the future, this figure ranks third lowest among surveyed countries. Of those planning to continue their studies, 50% cited job acquisition as their primary motivation. However, only 63% of employers believe that higher education adequately prepares graduates for the job market—the second lowest percentage recorded.
Employers identified several skills they find lacking in recent graduates. Digital skills topped the list at 36%, followed by innovation and creativity at 33%, and entrepreneurial skills at 24%. Furthermore, around half (51%) of employers believe that higher education institutions should prioritize developing leadership skills to better prepare students for employment.
When it comes to choosing a college or university, Ethiopian school leavers indicated that practical work experience is their top priority (49%). The survey revealed that banking and financial services, as well as social affairs and healthcare sectors, are among the most popular career paths for these students, each chosen by 15%. Additionally, 72% expressed a desire to work for organizations focused on addressing global challenges.
The impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on future job prospects was also a significant concern among respondents. While 70% of Ethiopian school leavers view AI as an opportunity for their careers—the highest level of optimism among all surveyed countries—70% also fear it could negatively affect their job prospects. This dual perspective reflects a nuanced understanding of AI’s potential challenges and benefits.
Employers echoed this cautious optimism regarding AI’s role in business. While 30% acknowledged AI as a risk to their operations—the second highest percentage after Zimbabwe—61% recognized it as an opportunity for growth.
In light of these findings, ALU has outlined several recommendations for higher education institutions to better align with employer needs and enhance workforce readiness:
Respond to Employer Needs: Universities should prioritize teaching both soft skills and technical abilities.
Align Curriculum with Career Aspirations: Institutions should expand academic offerings that reflect career-focused experiences.
Enhance Work-Based Learning Opportunities: Partnerships between employers and educational institutions should be strengthened to provide hands-on work experience.
Foster Public-Private Collaboration: Universities should collaborate with public and private sectors to fund new programs and infrastructure.
Assess Progress: Institutions must monitor their effectiveness in closing the skills gap within higher education.
As Ethiopia navigates its educational landscape amidst concerns regarding job readiness and economic stability, these insights from the ALU survey underscore the need for strategic reforms in higher education to empower young graduates and foster a thriving workforce capable of meeting future challenges.
The Embassy of India in Addis Ababa recently organized a forum focused on the critical issue of health provision in Ethiopia, emphasizing the need for collaborative solutions and innovative strategies to strengthen the country’s health systems. Titled “Building Better Health, Culture, Innovation and Cooperation,” the event brought together key stakeholders, including government officials, international organizations, and health professionals, to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing Ethiopia’s health sector.
The forum’s primary message highlighted the urgent need to expand access to modern health systems, particularly for underserved communities. Access to quality healthcare remains a significant challenge globally, especially in developing countries like Ethiopia. Limited resources, inadequate infrastructure, a shortage of trained health professionals, and geographic barriers often hinder efforts to provide equitable and accessible health services.
Despite notable progress in improving health outcomes in Ethiopia, significant gaps persist—especially in rural areas where access to basic health services is often limited. This disparity underscores the necessity for targeted interventions and collaborative partnerships aimed at bridging the healthcare gap.
India’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Anil Kumar Rai, emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships in enhancing the health sector. He noted that the private sector plays a vital role in complementing government efforts through its specialization, resources, and innovative potential. Ambassador Rai reaffirmed India’s commitment to supporting Ethiopia’s health sector by sharing knowledge and experience through collaborative projects and capacity-building initiatives.
“Our commitment reflects India’s growing role as a global health partner,” he stated. “We are actively engaged in knowledge transfer and technical assistance to help developing countries improve their health outcomes.”
During the forum, Ramiz Alakbarov, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Coordinator for Humanitarian Affairs in Ethiopia, highlighted the shared responsibility of all stakeholders—including governments, international organizations, civil society, and citizens—in building a strong and sustainable health system. He emphasized that local communities are best positioned to identify their unique needs and priorities, thereby underscoring the importance of community engagement in health policies and programs.
The forum also addressed the critical need for strengthening regional institutions such as the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) to enhance regional capacity for effectively dealing with public health threats and improving health outcomes across the continent.
As discussions unfolded at the forum in Addis Ababa, participants were reminded of the urgent need for joint efforts to improve access to healthcare in Ethiopia. By fostering dialogue, promoting collaboration, and highlighting innovative approaches, the forum contributed significantly to ongoing conversations about building stronger and more equitable health systems.
India’s influence on global health is rapidly expanding. Beyond its reputation as the “pharmacy of the world,” India is emerging as a leader in cutting-edge medical technologies such as medical devices, robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and telemedicine. The country is also making significant strides in biotechnology, genomics, and traditional medicine.
Furthermore, India has become a top destination for medical tourism by providing high-quality care at competitive prices. The G-20’s vision of “One Earth, One Health” aligns with India’s commitment to promoting accessible healthcare for all.
The Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH), the country’s sovereign wealth fund, has announced its commitment to fostering competition in the multimodal transport sector when new operators enter the market alongside the state-owned Ethiopia Shipping and Logistics (ESL).
This decision represents a significant shift in Ethiopia’s logistics landscape, which has long been dominated by ESL.
However, despite the Ethiopian Maritime Authority (EMA) issuing operational licenses to the selected companies weeks ago, technical and procedural delays have hindered the commencement of their operations.
Three private companies—Panafric Global, Tikur Abay Transport, and Cosmos Multimodal Transport Operators—have been chosen to participate in the sector and are currently awaiting official notification letters to begin operations.
These letters will be sent to relevant authorities and stakeholders to formalize their participation.
Dawit Woubeshet, CEO of Cosmos Multimodal Transport Operators, confirmed that his company has requested formal notification from the authorities to inform stakeholders about its licensing.
“To conduct business and issue bills of lading, we need permits from customs and the central bank,” he explained. “Additionally, other stakeholders, including security, standards, and health authorities, must be informed about our operations.”
EMA experts recently conducted inspections of the selected companies to assess their readiness to meet licensing standards.
However, industry experts have expressed concerns regarding the delay in notifying relevant authorities about the new operators.
Some speculate that the regulatory body may be awaiting feedback or consent from ESL, the state-owned logistics giant, regarding the extent of the sector’s liberalization. “There may be a desire to protect certain areas of the market for the state-owned operator,” noted one expert.
During a recent CEO networking event organized by the European Chamber in Ethiopia, Brook Taye, CEO of EIH, which oversees ESL and other major public enterprises, emphasized the importance of fair competition in the sector.
Drawing parallels with the liberalization of Ethiopia’s telecom sector, Brook highlighted how increased competition has strengthened Ethio Telecom.
“The full opening of the multimodal sector will allow the state-owned operator to become stronger and more competitive,” he stated.
The introduction of private operators into the multimodal transport sector is viewed as a step toward modernizing Ethiopia’s logistics industry and enhancing efficiency. However, delays in formalizing the entry of new players have raised questions about the pace of implementation. Stakeholders are now awaiting further clarity from the authorities to ensure a smooth transition and a level playing field for all operators.
Sources indicate that the relevant government body is expected to meet with the new operators in the coming days or weeks.
