Ethiopia is set to host the prestigious World Internet Conference (WIC) this September, marking the first time the global summit will be held outside of China since its inception.

The announcement followed a high-level meeting in Addis Ababa between Ethiopia’s Minister of Innovation and Technology, Dr. Belete Molla, and the WIC Deputy Secretary-General, Liang Hao. During their discussions, both officials reviewed the essential preliminary frameworks and technical arrangements required to ensure the successful delivery of the event.

Dr. Belete Molla underscored Ethiopia’s proven track record in hosting major international summits, assuring that the government is committed to making all necessary preparations. He emphasized that the ministry is working in close coordination with various stakeholders to guarantee the conference's success, highlighting its potential to further establish Ethiopia as a leading destination for international conference tourism.

For his part, Liang Hao confirmed that technical groundwork is already underway. He noted that the WIC and the Ethiopian government will intensify their collaborative efforts in the coming months to finalize the logistics for the Addis Ababa gathering.

Established in 2012 and traditionally held annually in Wuzhen, China, the World Internet Conference has become a cornerstone of the global digital calendar. It serves as a major forum for over 200 member organizations, including industry titans such as Google, IBM, NVIDIA, and Alibaba.

The decision to bring the summit to Ethiopia is being viewed as a significant milestone for the region. By bringing together global tech leaders, academics, and senior government officials, the conference is expected to provide a critical platform for technology transfer and to catalyze new investment opportunities within Ethiopia’s growing digital economy.