Research Area

Education & Workforce Development

SDG 4 (Quality Education)

Building the skills and talent pipeline Ethiopia needs for a digital economy.

Overview

Ethiopia's digital transformation depends on people, not platforms alone. KGRI studies how education systems, vocational pathways, and lifelong learning models can produce the technical and analytical talent the country needs.

Our work connects classroom reform, industry partnerships, and national skills planning so that workforce development keeps pace with technology change and labour market demand.

Focus Areas

STEM and digital skills in higher education
Industry-academia talent pipelines
Teacher and trainer capacity building
Workforce forecasting for emerging sectors
Inclusive access to quality technical education

Lead Researchers

Rebeka Asfaw

Division Head, Workforce Development

Rebeka Asfaw is a workforce development and business development professional with over 10 years of experience in Canada's employment sector. Her expertise spans career development, employer engagement, internship and co-op programs, job placement, and workforce readiness initiatives. She is the Co-Founder & Executive Director of KG Cyber, where she leads strategic initiatives to advance cybersecurity talent development and regional collaboration, and serves as Business Development Manager at GetAS International, driving partnerships and business growth. As Founder of the Ethiopian Career Development Initiative, she is committed to creating pathways that connect education, skills development, and employment opportunities. Through her leadership at KG Cyber and her work with the East Africa Cyber & AI Summit, she focuses on building strategic partnerships that strengthen workforce capacity and accelerate talent development across emerging technology industries.

Samuel Geremew

Division Head, Education

Samuel Geremew is a computer science researcher, cybersecurity specialist, educator, and media entrepreneur with expertise in digital security, technology education, and youth development. Holding a Master's degree in Computer Science with a specialization in Cybersecurity, he serves as a higher education lecturer and researcher, contributing to the development of future technology professionals and the advancement of cybersecurity awareness. Beyond academia, Samuel is the Founder and Executive Director of Shaga Generation (የሸጋ ትውልድ), a youth empowerment organization, and the General Manager of Samelos Media & Communication. He is also the host of the popular "Shaga Chewata" (የሸጋ ጨዋታ) radio and television program, using media as a platform for education, community engagement, and social impact. Committed to creating positive change through technology, education, and media, Samuel also serves as an Honorary Ambassador for Mary Joy Ethiopia, supporting initiatives that promote youth development and community empowerment.

Zemichael Tefera

Researcher, Education

Zemichael Tefera is a computer scientist, full-stack developer, and cybersecurity professional with expertise in software engineering, web application development, and cybersecurity. He is the Technology Lead at Unity Link Solutions, where he leads technology initiatives and oversees the development of innovative digital solutions that address business and organizational needs. A graduate of St. Mary's University in Addis Ababa with a degree in Computer Science, Zemichael has experience spanning full-stack web development, software engineering, web design, and penetration testing. In addition to his industry work, he serves as a Youth Programming Instructor at Shega Tewlid, where he mentors and equips young learners with practical programming and digital technology skills. His multidisciplinary background enables him to design secure, scalable, and user-focused technology solutions while integrating cybersecurity best practices throughout the development lifecycle. Through his work, he is passionate about leveraging technology to drive innovation, strengthen digital resilience, and empower the next generation of technology professionals.