IT Delegation, visit to Addis Ababa April 22nd to 27th, 2007

Objectives

The objective of the IT delegation to Ethiopia was to assess the possibility of forming working relationships with existing IT companies in Addis Ababa. This would be achieved through an initial presentation by each delegate at a function organised by the Chamber of Commerce in Addis Ababa. From this meeting it was hoped that working groups could be formed and like-minded companies brought together for subsequent meetings.

Chamber of Commerce Presentation - Monday 23rd April, 2007.

The four delegates presented to about 50 individuals from the IT sector in Addis Ababa. The Ethiopians were from a mix of colleges, software development, IT sales and online development. It was a good turnout and a wide range of business sectors were represented. Each Irish delegate made a presentation about their particular area of interest. Following the presentation the delegates formed smaller groups and discussed individual projects. Follow up meetings were arranged.

Follow up report from Julian Douglas

Met with two companies both involved in the textile manufacturing industry that required websites to market their products. Both companies were professional, efficient and employed local staff in extremely good conditions. Both produce similar goods with the aim of exporting them to Europe and the USA. These products include scarves, throws, rugs, tablecloths and cushion covers. The designs are original and the quality as good as any first-world manufactured product.

Keith Lee and myself met with a website development company called Afrolink Studio based in Addis Ababa. This company has successfully developed over 100 websites of good quality. In addition to online development they also design traditional marketing products such as magazines, flyers, stationary, and print advertisements. The three executives that I met were professional and due to the lack of broadband in Ethiopia were working in very difficult conditions. Design work would be done during the day and uploading to the internet would be done at night when the connection was faster. This would involve sleeping in the office.

The idea was that I would collate material and develop a website development strategy for the two manufacturing companies in Dublin. We would then brief Afrolink Studio in Addis and they would develop the websites. By approaching it in this manner we would achieve two good quality websites for the manufacturers and also learn a great deal about the pros and cons of outsourcing online development work to Ethiopia.

I have now sent the two manufacturing companies in Addis and Afrolink Studio creative briefs and I am awaiting feedback and costings. I would hope the website development can begin within the next two weeks. If these two projects go smoothly there is no reason why Irish web development companies cannot outsource overflow work to Ethiopian companies such as Afrolink Studio.