Ethiopian PM explores Azerbaijan’s public service, AI, energy innovations Photo

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali of Ethiopia has visited key innovation and energy facilities in Azerbaijan as part of an official trip aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation in digital governance, artificial intelligence, and the energy sector.

ASAN Khidmet model

During his visit to Baku, the Ethiopian leader toured the ASAN Khidmet Centre, Azerbaijan’s flagship one-stop public service platform, Caliber.Az reports per local media. 

The centre was established on the initiative of President Ilham Aliyev and is widely regarded as a model for transparent, citizen-focused public administration. 

Ulvi Mehdiyev, Chairman of the State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations, briefed the prime minister on the structure and operations of ASAN Khidmet, highlighting its integrated digital solutions and streamlined service delivery mechanisms. He noted that the ASAN model has evolved into an internationally recognized “intellectual brand,” exported to more than 30 countries.

Mehdiyev also emphasised the agency’s cooperation with the United Nations and its affiliated entities, as well as the implementation of innovative solutions across Azerbaijan’s public service sector.

Prime Minister Abiy familiarised himself with the Mobile ASAN Service and expressed appreciation for the initiative, stating that Ethiopia plans to apply similar experience domestically. He was additionally briefed on related institutions, including the INNOLAND Incubation and Acceleration Center and the ABAD public legal entity.

Cooperation between the two countries in public service reform has already produced tangible results. In June 2025, the first MESOB One-Stop Service Center based on Azerbaijan’s ASAN Khidmet concept was inaugurated in Addis Ababa. The project followed a Memorandum of Understanding signed in May 2024 between Azerbaijan’s State Agency and relevant Ethiopian authorities. Under the agreement, Azerbaijani specialists organised training programmes for Ethiopian civil servants, developed unified service delivery standards, and prepared guidance documents based on ASAN’s technological solutions.

Expanding cooperation in AI

The visit also featured discussions on strengthening international cooperation in artificial intelligence and launching joint projects.

Efiopiyanın Baş naziri Abiy Əhməd Əli ilə birlikdə "AI Academy"ni ziyarət etdik.

Qonaqlara Akademiyanın tədris proqramları, ixtisaslaşmış kursları və praktiki təlim modulları barədə məlumat verdik.

Süni intellekt sahəsində beynəlxalq əməkdaşlığın genişləndirilməsi və birgə… pic.twitter.com/XoNE0EdzlY

— Rashad Nabiyev (@RashadNNabiyev) February 27, 2026

Together with Azerbaijan’s Minister of Digital Development and Transport, Rashad Nabiyev, Prime Minister Abiy visited the AI Academy in Baku. Officials presented detailed information on the academy’s curriculum, specialised courses, and practical training modules designed to foster advanced digital skills.

Visit to Sangachal terminal

In addition to digital governance and technology, the Ethiopian prime minister’s programme included a visit to the Sangachal Terminal, one of the region’s major oil and gas processing hubs.

The tour began at the Caspian Energy Centre, described as unique in the Caspian region. The centre presents a comprehensive overview of the history and development of Azerbaijan’s oil and gas industry and highlights the country’s strategic role in the global energy market.

By Sabina Mammadli