The Ethiopian Ministry of Communications and Information Technology is considering a new bill to certify the competence of exporters, importers, wholesalers and retailers in the IT and electronic sector in Ethiopia.
The bill has been sent to the Ethiopian Information and Communications Technology group for review.
The new will bill require industry operators to hire a range of professionals from various fields including technicians to maintain and service electronic and IT equipment to receive accreditation.
Establishing standards will protect consumer said Balcha Reba, Director of the Communications and Information Technology, Standardization, and Regulation Directorate.Many operators in the IT sector fall below standards of professional competence and are unable to provide proper specifications or maintenance support for the goods that they have on offer according to Balcha.
The demands put in place by the new bill could impede the development of the IT sector in Ethiopia according to sources in the industry.
Wholesalers in particular are expected to hire employees with diplomas in marketing and procurement as well as electronics as well as an electrical engineer or an employee with a background in telecommunication.
Retailers should employee information technology specialists and importers will be required to employee electrical engineers or telecommunications specialists.
Exporters of electronic goods would require an international standard quality certification to receive accreditation for export permits.
Centers providing training in database development and computer applications will need to hire instructors with first degrees in information technology and electrical engineering as well as supplying appropriate class room equipment including whit boards, reference books, projects and a minimum of 10 computers to receive accreditation.
Source: Addis Fortune
