What is "ETHIOPIA2050" Initiative
Ethiopia is in the midst of a remarkable and unprecedented demographic transformation. By 2050, its population is projected to double from 100 million to 200 million people. This powerful demographic transition will also be accompanied by several other transformative natural forces. These forces include pressure from ongoing societal, economical, geo-political, and environmental changes and disruptions. Arguably, the next set of potential conflicts in our region could be driven by the competition for valuable resources such as water and arable land that will be further exacerbated by pressure from population increase and adverse effects of climate change. Taken together, the next thirty years will reshape Ethiopia’s identity, character, and its global role, as it navigates both unprecedented challenges and opportunities. Therefore, we must face the full impact of these emerging forces head-on. To proactively address what were identified as “Ten Grand Challenges and Opportunities” associated with this expected generational and historical demographic shift, this ETHIOPIA2050 Initiative was launched to carefully examine, both the opportunities of demographic dividend and the associated risks.
In December 2019, in association with Ethiopian Academy of Sciences (EAS), Ethiopian Economic Association (EEA), Ethiopian Association of Civil Engineers (EACE), Association of Ethiopian Architects (AEA), Ethiopian Society of Mechanical Engineers (ESME), Ethiopian Society of Chemical Engineers (ESChE), Ethiopian Society of Electrical Engineers (ESEE), and Ethiopian Urban Planners Association (EUPA), ETHIOPIA 2050 International Steering-Committee (ET2050 ISC) hosted an international conference in Addis Ababa entitled “ETHIOPIA 2050 – GRAND CHALLENGES & OPPORTUNITIES”. The conference was attended by more than 400 attendants. The first major outcome of that conference was the “Blue Ribbon Panel Report“. The general theme of the conference and the BRP Report is the challenges and opportunities related to these threats under the following 10 Grand Challenges identified by the Steering Committee.
- Access to Clean Water and Equitable Water Distribution
- Large-Scale Urbanization
- Food Security
- Sustainability and Environmental Issues
- Meeting Energy Demand
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Transportation Infrastructure
- ICT Infrastructure Expansion
- Access to Health Care
- STEM Education, Workforce Development & Employment
Correspondences at ChallengeEthiopia2050@Gmail.com.
ETHIOPIA 2050 International Steering Committee
Ato Abdissa Lemma (Engineer, Ethiopia)
Ato Amare Mergia (Engineer, Ethiopia)
Dr. Asrat Worku (Professor, Ethiopia)
Ato Deres Tesfaye (Engineer, USA)
Ms. Mahder Tadesse (Architect, Ethiopia)
Ato Eyob Berhane (Engineer, Ethiopia)
Dr. Eng. Hundessa Demsash (Professor, Ethiopia)
Dr. Samuel Kinde (Professor, USA)
Dr. Shiferraw Taye (Professor, Ethiopia)
Ato Tesfaye Workneh (Engineer, Ethiopia)
Ms. Rodas G. Seyoum (Architect, Ethiopia)
Dr. Desta Mebratu (Professor, South Africa)