At the launch of the Ethiopia Netpreneur Programme, Innovation & Technology Minister Belete Molla (PhD) reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a strong digital economy through its ongoing partnership with Alibaba Group, first initiated in 2020. He said the initiative would help strengthen the country’s startup ecosystem. Bahru Zeinu, president of the Digital Transformation Ethiopia Association (DTEA), said the programme builds on earlier initiatives, including the Global Digital Talent Academy in Addis Abeba and Africa’s first Alibaba Summit. He noted that top-performing participants will travel to China for practical exposure to Alibaba’s e-commerce operations. The programme forms part of broader efforts to develop digital skills, foster institutional collaboration, and position Ethiopia as a regional hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.