ADDIS ABABA — Government agencies, universities, and innovation organisations gathered in Addis Ababa for the “Ethio-Israel Innovation Week,” an initiative aimed at increasing investment, collaboration, and market-ready innovation between the two countries.
The three-day workshop, hosted at Addis Ababa Science and Technology University (AASTU), brought together entrepreneurs, students, donors, and officials to boost Ethiopia’s developing innovation ecosystem.
Co-organised by STEMpower, Ethiopia’s Ministry of Innovation and Technology (MInT), the Israeli Embassy, and AASTU — with strategic support from UNIstream and the Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI) — the event was designed to give local innovators international exposure and connect them with potential investors, mentors, and technology partners.
Opening Remarks: Ambition Meets Expertise
Opening the conference, Dr. Temesgen Wondimu, AASTU’s Vice President for Administrative Development Affairs, urged participants to capitalise on the networking and technical learning opportunities. Organisers highlighted that the partnership blends Ethiopia’s growing tech ambitions with Israel’s track record in commercialisation and startup
scale-up.
Dr. Simenew Keskes, Country Director of STEMpower, emphasised the cross-border value of the programme, describing the week as “where ambitions find expertise.” He said the initiative aims to position young Ethiopian innovators to convert prototypes into marketable products, adding that “through partnerships, innovation prospers.”
Israel’s Long-Term Investment in Shared Opportunity
Israel’s Deputy Ambassador to Ethiopia, Tomer Bar-Lavi, framed the event as a long-term investment in shared economic opportunity. “Today is a celebration of creativity, entrepreneurship, and the boundless potential born out of collaboration between our two nations,” he said.
Israel’s success as the “Startup Nation,” he added, stems from “resilience, teamwork, and problem-solving — values strongly reflected in the emerging generation of innovators in Ethiopia.”
Exhibitions, Pitch Sessions and Commercialisation Focus
The event featured exhibitions, pitch sessions, and discussions focused on commercialisation, STEM education, and regional innovation clusters. UNIstream CEO Ifat Bechor outlined the organisation’s 25-year history
developing youth entrepreneurship in Israel and confirmed that Ethiopia is under consideration for future expansion under its Level-Up programmes.
Participants said the programme offered visibility and practical learning. “Participating in this programme has given me the opportunity to learn, connect, and broaden my perspective as a young innovator,” said Nolawi Debre of the Debre Birhan University STEM Centre.
Ethiopia’s Broader Innovation Agenda
The initiative comes as African governments push to boost STEM capacity, attract tech investment, and expand digital infrastructure. Ethiopia has prioritised innovation as part of its economic reform agenda and is working to grow its startup sector through incubation programmes and public-private partnerships.
STEMpower, one of the continent’s largest STEM-education nonprofits, has established more than 150 hands-on STEM Centres across Sub-Saharan Africa to support talent development and entrepreneurship. Its network serves as a pipeline for university and pre-university students seeking real-world lab experience, mentorship, and access to national innovation competitions.
Next Steps: Joint Research and Startup Acceleration
Organisers said the next steps include exploring joint research programmes, startup acceleration pathways, and follow-up investment discussions. Israel and Ethiopia are expected to continue expanding their cooperation ahead of upcoming regional innovation forums and STEMpower’s annual entrepreneurship events.