By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
Frehiwot Tamiru, the former
Chief Executive Officer of Ethio telecom, has been approved by Ethiopia’s House
of Peoples’ Representatives as the country’s Minister of Innovation and
Technology.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed presented
Tamiru’s background to parliament during its regular session, following her
nomination to lead the ministry. She succeeds Belete Mola.
According to the background
presented to parliament, Frehiwot graduated with a bachelor’s degree in
information systems and earned a master’s degree in business administration.
Abiy noted that she is well known to lawmakers for her time leading the state-owned
telecom operator.
The Prime Minister said the
government’s current strong drive for technology was the reason for her
nomination. Her task, he said, will be to take Ethiopia’s technology ambition
one step forward.
Her move from the telecom
sector to the ministry brings together operational experience with policy
responsibility. Telecommunications underpins digital services, mobile money and
e-commerce, meaning her background spans the infrastructure on which much of
Ethiopia’s technology agenda depends.
Tamiru’s appointment
therefore places a former telecom executive at the centre of Ethiopia’s efforts
to advance its technology ambitions, with responsibility for translating
operational experience from the telecommunications sector into broader
innovation and technology policy.
