Learning from the Lions

Singapore’s Growth Model Lessons for Ethiopia

Ethiopia’s recent delegation to Singapore has ignited national discussions about the potential for our nation to replicate the Southeast Asian nation’s economic success. While inspiration is crucial, genuine development hinges on a fundamental principle: robust national unity. Here’s how Singapore’s journey offers valuable lessons for Ethiopia’s industrialization and stability, but national unity remains the cornerstone.

Singapore’s economic miracle is a testament to strategic planning and execution. The nation, lacking natural resources, focused on developing its human capital. By prioritizing education and fostering a culture of meritocracy, Singapore created a skilled workforce capable of attracting foreign investment and driving industrial growth. This model emphasizes building a solid foundation before embarking on large-scale industrialization. Ethiopia can learn from this by investing heavily in education.

Singapore embraced free trade and globalization. The nation positioned itself as a regional hub for trade and finance, capitalizing on its strategic location and efficient infrastructure. This openness fostered competition, leading to innovation and efficiency. Ethiopia, with its large and growing population, has the potential to emulate this model by urgently creating a business-friendly environment that attracts investment and facilitates exports. However, unlike Singapore’s outward focus, Ethiopia could also prioritize developing its domestic market to foster internal demand and reduce reliance on external forces.

Singapore’s success story is intricately linked to political stability and good governance. The nation established a reputation for low corruption, transparent policies, and a strong rule of law. This predictability and stability fostered trust amongst investors and entrepreneurs, creating a conducive environment for long-term growth. Herein lies the crucial point – Ethiopia, despite its economic aspirations, faces internal conflicts that threaten national unity. Without a united front, efforts towards industrialization could remain a futile exercise. Investors fear instability and a fractured nation struggles to develop a cohesive economic strategy.

Achieving national unity should be Ethiopia’s primary focus. This requires addressing grievances, fostering inclusivity, and ensuring equal opportunity for all citizens. A unified national vision, built on equality, dignity, and freedom, will create a sense of shared purpose and encourage citizens to contribute to the nation’s development.

Singapore’s model offers valuable lessons for Ethiopia’s industrial journey. Investing in human capital, embracing competitiveness, and establishing good governance practices are crucial. However, these efforts will only be successful with a strong sense of national unity. By addressing internal conflicts and fostering inclusivity, Ethiopia can create a stable and unified nation, the bedrock on which sustainable economic growth can flourish. Only then can the lessons learned from Singapore’s success story be effectively implemented, paving the way for a prosperous future.

Ethiopia’s National Dialogue, which recently kicked off, holds immense promise for forging national unity. By bringing together diverse voices in a forum for open and honest discussion, the dialogue can bridge divides and foster a sense of shared purpose as a national outcome. This could lead to a future where Ethiopians from all walks of life feel valued and respected, with their fundamental rights to dignity, freedom, and equality enshrined and protected. The success of the dialogue hinges on its capacity to ensure inclusive participation, a commitment to peaceful resolution, and a willingness to confront past grievances. If these elements are fully present, the dialogue can be a catalyst for healing and pave the way for a more unified, peaceful and prosperous Ethiopia in which the divisive ethnic politics is replaced with a unifying national politics that places every culture, language and all aspects of diversity and plurality at its core. EBR

12th Year • June 2024 • No. 130