In today’s hyperconnected world, communication is abundant, yet meaningful dialogue is increasingly rare. Messages are crafted to convey information, but when so much is at stake our future, our economy, our societal values we must ask ourselves: Are we truly listening? More importantly, are we ensuring that the information we process translates into actionable insights that address the complex challenges we face?

The Scarcity Mindset in an Abundant World

The world is rich in resources, yet we have cultivated a mentality of scarcity—one that prioritizes material accumulation over holistic well-being. In urban Ethiopia, particularly among the youth, success is increasingly measured by financial gain and social status rather than by intellectual growth, innovation, or contributions to societal progress.

The rise of digital platforms and the shift toward a cashless economy have accelerated this trend, fueling a wave of consumerism. Young people, empowered by technology but constrained by economic pressures, are lured by the promise of quick financial wins. The pursuit of knowledge, professionalism, and sectoral transformation particularly in agriculture and industrialization is often sidelined in favor of short-term digital ventures.

The Misalignment of Priorities

There is nothing inherently wrong with embracing the digital revolution. In fact, Ethiopia’s National Coders Training Program is a commendable step toward equipping our youth with future-ready skills. However, the true power of this initiative lies not just in participation but in application leveraging digital innovation to solve real, pressing challenges in our most critical sectors.

Agriculture, for instance, sustains millions of Ethiopians, yet it remains underdeveloped. Industrialization is key to our economic transformation, yet it lacks the infusion of young, tech-savvy minds. Instead of chasing fleeting opportunities in the digital economy, what if our brightest minds redirected their talents toward digitizing and revolutionizing these foundational sectors?

A Call for Honest Dialogue and Redefined Success

Motivational speeches and one-sided lectures will not inspire change. What we need are candid conversations spaces where policymakers, academics, private sector leaders, and development partners engage in active dialogue with the youth. We must shift the narrative from consumerism to value creation, from quick wins to sustainable impact.

At both an individual and national level, we must encourage introspection. True strength comes from within, not from external validation or material gains. If we continue to glorify wealth without purpose, we risk raising a generation that equates success with possessions rather than contributions.

The Path Forward

1. Reframe the Digital Opportunity – Encourage coders and tech innovators to develop solutions for agriculture, manufacturing, and public services.
2. Promote Sectoral Innovation – Incentivize young professionals to apply their skills where they are needed most.
3. Foster Authentic Engagement – Replace passive lectures with interactive forums that bridge the gap between policymakers and youth.
4. Celebrate Meaningful Success – Shift societal admiration from wealth accumulation to intellectual and societal impact.

Ethiopia’s future depends on how we guide the next generation. The digital revolution should not just be about consumption it should be about transformation. Let us empower our youth to look inward, think critically, and build a legacy of sustainable progress.

The choice is ours: Will we let consumerism define us, or will we redefine what it means to succeed?