by Betelhem Dessie We are no longer an affiliate of iCog Labs. As our ownership structure evolves and we move forward independently, we have undertaken a rebranding to reflect this transition. The organization previously known as iCog will now operate under the name gheero (pronounced like “ghee” and “row”). Another
Some people say Solve IT is our most impactful project, and honestly, I understand why. When the U.S. Embassy first approached us in 2017 to run a mobile app development competition, we immediately knew we wanted to turn it into something bigger. We wanted it to reach multiple cities
When Hibist walked into the iCog summer coding camp for the first time, she had never written a single line of code. She was a teenager, curious but unsure of what to expect. By the end of her first week, she had built her first working program and, more importantly,
Smartphones are nearly everywhere, but their use as tools for learning is still under explored, especially in communities where access to educational resources is limited. In Ethiopia, millions of children face a significant challenge: learning to read in a world where access to books and quality education is limited. Technology
As part of a pilot project aimed at maximizing impact and outcomes, baseline research was conducted to assess the state of digital literacy within the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges. The research focused on six strategically selected TVET colleges in Addis Ababa, chosen for their geographic diversity,
Remember iCog Anyone Can Code(iCog-ACC)? Well, we've got some news... We're shedding the "ACC" and embracing the simplicity of "iCog." Why? First, let's be honest, nobody ever called us by our full name,😐. But more importantly, this change reflects
High-quality, diverse datasets are the cornerstone of successful AI development. They enable AI systems to understand language nuances, analyze data effectively, and provide solutions tailored contextually. However, the lack of such datasets for Ethiopian languages and industries has hindered AI's potential impact by creating information gaps and language
Imagine a world where AI and humanity come together. Desta the Robot, the fascinating AI robot created by Hanson Robotics, serves as that bridge, making complex technology interface with humans. Ethiopia had the honor of hosting a revolutionary showcase in Addis Ababa. This public showcase was not just about celebrating
The Ethiopian Education system seeks to create competent and self-reliant citizens to contribute to the economic and social development of the country, thus improving the livelihoods of all Ethiopians. The government has been improving tech education by increasing access to training programs, improving the quality of education and training, and
Remember back in 2018, when a bright idea took root? It aimed to nurture young minds, spark innovation, and give Ethiopia's startup scene a boost. That's how Solve IT began, and by 2023, it was already on its third adventure. This year, the journey stretched across
Ethiopia faced a significant literacy challenge in 2017, with only 51.8% of people aged 15 and above considered literate. This issue was particularly concerning when it came to gender disparity, as only 44.4% of females were considered literate. In recognition of the essential role of digital preparedness in
Our world is just filled with computers! They have revolutionized the way we interact with our surroundings in just a couple of decades – with no end in sight. Everywhere you look you see a computer – a phone, a laptop, a car, a plane, ...etc. The common thing among them is
The rapid increase in the number of Internet users is largely driven by the increase in accessibility of smartphones, Internet infrastructure, and social media websites. The Internet has become a primary source of information for the youth which is also true in the case of Ethiopia. However, there is no
This article is part I of a longer series: An analysis on the Ethiopian Tech Ecosystem I decided to work on this series because I receive at least two emails a week from people looking for my opinion about my analysis on the challenges and problems of the Ethiopian tech