eTech S.C. has successfully conducted its public launching ceremony on January 14, 2021, at the Ethiopian Skylight Hotel in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. eTech S.C. shareholders, Board of Directors, government higher officials and invited guests who are in Ethiopia as well as abroad have attended the launching ceremony.

The session was started with the welcome message of Engineer Melaku Ezezew, eTech’s  Board Chairman and President of Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectorial Association. The message of the Chairman was followed by the keynote speeches of H.E. Dr Zelalem Assefa, Director General of ETHERNET at MoSHE; H.E. Ato Kibur Genna, CEO of Pan African Chamber of Commerce and Industries; and H.E. Dr. Shumete Gizaw, Director General of Information Network Security Agency (INSA). Dr Shumete noted that the establishment of eTech S.C. brings huge potential and capacity in cyber security for Ethiopia. He also added that INSA is willing to work with the private sector including eTech.

The launching ceremony was officially opened by the guest of honors H.E Dr. Eng. Abrham Belay, Minister of the Ministry of Innovation and Technology. In his remarkable opening speech, the minister said: “the establishment of this first technology share company in our country is historic”. He reaffirmed that his ministry will work towards the establishment of a number of technology companies, such as eTech, and will work closely with them to support the country’s economy.

Shimelis G/Medhin, CEO of eTech has presented about eTech, following the opening speech. The CEO mentioned that eTech is established in Ethiopia with a capital of 200 million birr and currently works on Software Development, Cyber Security, Telecommunication and Infrastructure. The CEO also noted that eTech will extend its focus on Fintech and eCommerce in the near future.

A discussion was conducted following the presentation, and invited guests have provided their remarks and feedbacks. H.E Ambassador Teferi Melese, Ethiopian Ambassador and Special Envoy in the United Kingdom and North Ireland was the first to provide his remarks. The Ambassador highlighted the importance of diaspora professionals for technology transfer and building the country in near future. He emphasized how Asian countries benefited from knowledge and technology transfer from the developed countries. Dr Taye Girma, Deputy Director General of Artificial Intelligence Center noted that the AI center is willing to work with technology companies who has interest on AI, like eTech.

Engineer Meried Bekele, Founder and CEO of IE Networks Solutions highlighted the huge technology market potential in the country and emphasized the importance of eTech’s huge potential on saving foreign currency and addressing the technology market need of the country and beyond. Dr. Esayas Gebreyohannes, Executive Director AAU-AAiT, with the rank of V/President for AAU provided his notable remarks on the impact of eTech on building the technology human capital of the nation. He also emphasized that such companies will create a job opportunity for the competent technology graduates of the country and will be a solution for the migration of competent professionals, which is creating ‘brain drain’ on the country.

The ceremony was concluded by the closing remarks of Engineer Melaku Ezezew, eTech’s  Board Chairman.