Research Area

AI & Emerging Technologies

SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure)

Researching how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies can be applied to Ethiopia's development priorities.

Overview

KGRI's AI and emerging technologies programme examines how machine learning, automation, and new digital tools can strengthen Ethiopia's economy and public services without widening inequality or creating new risks.

We produce policy-ready analysis on responsible adoption, local capacity, data governance, and the workforce implications of AI across key sectors including agriculture, finance, health, and public administration.

Focus Areas

Responsible AI adoption for public services
Local language and context-aware AI systems
AI governance, ethics, and regulatory frameworks
Workforce readiness for an AI-enabled economy
Applied AI pilots with Ethiopian institutions

Lead Researchers

Dr. Henock Mulugeta

Division Head, AI & ML

Dr. Henock Mulugeta is an experienced academician and researcher, currently serving as an Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the School of Information Technology and Engineering (SiTE), AAU. He holds a PhD in Computer Engineering from AAU's School of Electrical and Computer Engineering (SECE). Currently He is Head of the School of Information Technology and Engineering. Throughout his 20-year career, Dr. Henock Mulugeta has made significant contributions to the fields of networking, cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Cyber-intelligence. He has authored and co-authored over 22 research articles published in esteemed international journals and conference proceedings. Beyond academia, Dr.Henock Mulugeta is committed to promoting peace and stability in the Horn of Africa. He actively collaborates with the IGAD's Security Sector Program and has provided cybersecurity, Cyber-intelligence, and AI trainings to law enforcement agencies for IGAD’s member states, in Ethiopia, Uganda, and Kenya. Additionally, he is serving as a consultant at different institutions including Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute (EAII). Dr. Henock Mulugeta's research interests span a wide range of wireless and ad hoc networking, AI and Cybersecurity, and Cyber-intelligence.

Dr. Tesfa Mekonnen

Division Head, Health Technology

Dr. Tesfa Jemberu Mekonnen is a Doctor of Nursing Practice and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner with extensive clinical experience spanning emergency medicine, psychiatry, primary care, and public health. He currently serves as a Psychiatry Consult Nurse Practitioner at INOVA Fairfax Hospital and practices at All Hope Psychiatry in Virginia, where he provides comprehensive mental health care and psychiatric services. Throughout his career, Dr. Tesfa has held leadership and clinical roles across healthcare systems in both Africa and the United States. He spent more than five years supervising and training nurses under a USAID-supported HIV/AIDS program, contributing to workforce development and expanding access to quality care while helping reduce stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS. His professional experience also includes positions at leading healthcare institutions such as Ochsner Hospital and Banner Estrella Medical Center. Driven by a commitment to improving community health, Dr. Tesfa is passionate about advancing equitable access to mental healthcare and integrating evidence-based practice into patient care. Through his clinical leadership and dedication to healthcare education, he continues to support healthier communities while mentoring the next generation of nursing professionals.

Joe Shokour

Division Head, VR, AR & XR

Joe Shokour is the founder, President and CEO of IBT College. A visionary leader in the education sector, he has dedicated his career to helping students achieve their academic and professional goals through quality career-focused training. Under his leadership, IBT College has grown into a respected institution known for its commitment to student success, innovation, and excellence in education. Passionate about empowering individuals through learning, Joe continues to make a positive impact on the lives of students and the broader community.

Dr. Worku Abebe

Researcher, AI & ML

Dr. Worku Abebe Degife is an Assistant Professor and Dean of the College of Informatics at the University of Gondar, Ethiopia. With over seven years of academic and administrative leadership experience, he has served in key roles including Department Head, Acting Dean, and Dean, contributing to academic excellence through program development, institutional capacity building, and quality education. He teaches and develops courses in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Project Management, while supervising undergraduate and postgraduate research across emerging areas of computing. His research focuses on deep learning, recommender systems, and sentiment analysis, with publications in internationally recognized journals indexed in Scopus and the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE). Dr. Worku earned his Ph.D. from the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology and is actively engaged in technology transfer, community service, and international academic collaboration. Through his leadership, research, and commitment to student development, he continues to advance innovation, strengthen higher education, and contribute to the growth of Ethiopia's digital and research ecosystem.

Dr. Tesfa Tegegne

Researcher, Health Technology

Dr. Tesfa Tegegne Asfaw is the Dean of the Faculty of Computing and an Associate Professor of Computer Science at Bahir Dar University. He brings over two decades of experience spanning teaching, research, and academic leadership. A strong advocate for institutional development, Dr. Tesfa previously founded the ICT for Development (ICT4D) research center at the university, where he served as director for four years and chaired its AI research group. He has published more than 40 articles in reputed journals and international conferences. His research interests include Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, cybersecurity, and Digital Healthcare. He earned his PhD from Radboud University in the Netherlands, completing a thesis on service discovery in eHealth. Dr. Tesfa has led numerous research projects as Principal and Co-Principal Investigator and is a committed mentor, having supervised over 30 master and 7 PhD students. He also has a global impact through academic service and leadership—most notably organizing the first International Conference on ICT for Development for Africa in 2017, the first of its kind to publish proceedings with Springer. He regularly serves as a journal reviewer and has contributed as a General Chair and Technical Program Committee (TPC) member for international conferences.

Edom Kassaye

Researcher, VR, AR & XR

Edom Kassaye is a multimedia designer specializing in animation, interactive media, and extended reality (XR). She is the founder of Ethiotoons, an emerging animation studio creating original stories inspired by Ethiopian and African cultures. She holds a BFA in Animation and Visual Effects and an MFA in Interactive Media. As an emerging technology researcher, her work explores how immersive technologies can transform storytelling, cultural preservation, education, and audience engagement.