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What did the Prime Minister announce?
Tech Review Africa reported on Tikimt 19, 2019 E.C. (29 October 2026) that Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed had announced plans to establish the Medemer University of Artificial Intelligence in Addis Ababa. He made the announcement in his address at the 3rd Russia-Africa Summit. The report does not give the date of the summit.
Abiy invited Russian universities and research institutions to work with Ethiopia on teaching and scientific research. He said cooperation should go beyond building technology facilities, and should train local people able to run, manage and regulate them.
He argued that the way AI systems are developed will decide which languages they support and whose experiences they represent.
African researchers should be able to create tools in the languages of our people.
He added that innovation must move out of research laboratories and into production and trade.
Who does this affect?
The report does not describe admissions, so it is not yet clear which students could enrol. Because the university is meant to build local AI expertise, students of computing, mathematics and engineering, and researchers, are the groups most likely to be concerned.
The report names universities and research institutions in Ethiopia and Russia as the other parties. It does not name any Ethiopian university that will take part, or any Russian partner that has agreed to work with the new institution.
Which dates and figures are known?
| Item | Date in both calendars |
|---|---|
| Announcement reported | Tikimt 19, 2019 E.C. (29 October 2026) |
| Opening of the university | Not yet announced |
| Admission applications | Not yet announced |
The report gives no fee, budget or intake figure, so none can be stated here.
What should you do now?
Follow official channels
Watch the Prime Minister's office and the Ministry of Education for dates and rules.
Wait for admission rules
Do not pay a fee or submit documents to this university until an official notice sets out the process.
Keep the report
Save the Tech Review Africa report so you can compare it with the official notice when it is published.
What does this connect to?
Education sector reforms are under way. On Meskerem 28, 2019 E.C. (8 October 2026), Education Minister Brihanu Negga pledged to complete them, as reported in Education minister pledges to finish sector reforms.
The Tech Review Africa report does not link the AI university to that reform programme.
Sources
Every figure and date above comes from one of these. Open them; a story about your child's school is worth checking.
