ICT: learning to walk in Ethiopia

Hailu Abiebie, General Manager, HillMark Ethiopia

Abstract

Among the developed nations the development and application of ICT solutions is growing at a rate never seen before. Saying it is in its infancy does not begin to summarise the case in Ethiopia. Not only is its application at the starting point, but the major players in the industry - suppliers, end users, consultants and donor organisations - are also contributing to this sluggish growth rate.

This paper discusses the causes of this slow pace, and reviews the current practices of the major players in this sector. It stresses the undoubted need for a paradigm change in the way these players perceive competition and the growth of strong co-operation between them, if we are to see a meaningful change in the current status of ICT application in Ethiopia

Biography

Hailu Abiebie graduated with a BA degree in Business Administration from the Addis Ababa University in 1988. He is currently the manager of HillMark Ethiopia.

After graduation he obtained a diploma in computer marketing with NCR Corporation, Dayton, Ohio and work with NCR Kenya and later with the NCR centre of expertise for Anglophone African countries. Until end of March, 2001 Hailu worked with NCR Ethiopia as a director of the Marketing & Sales division of the company.

Hailu has worked on a number of big projects, managing them through implementation, and been awarded a number of times for his outstanding performance by both NCR Corporation and the local NCR office.

He is a strong believer in co-operation and team work not only with his own team member but also with all the other companies that involved in the IT sector. As manager of Hilmark he has concluded a standing co-operation agreement with NCR Ethiopia, and says that his co-operation agreement list should grow every month.