Ethiopia , like the other developing countries in sub-Saharan Africa, is being left behind as the developed world progresses. The technological advances of the Information Age were not realized in this part of the world. In the 21st century, information and knowledge are the most sought after commodities and the computer is the primary tool used to harness both. Ethiopia must go through an educational renaissance, equipping itself technologically and educating its people so as to attract the foreign direct investment (FDI) that will help make the country financially solvent.

Competition among developed nations in the global marketplace is fierce and seasoned. If developing nations are not able to compete in a global capitalist society the implications are enormous. One of the fears is that the uneducated in developing nations like Ethiopia will become the indentured servants of the 21st century. The Millennium Development Goals are mechanisms to facilitate a change in this unthinkable outcome.

No Millennium Development Goal is more important than number two, making a primary school education a reality for all school aged children. In Ethiopia, attaining this goal is very problematic. Ethiopia is arguably the poorest country in Africa with the vast majority of Ethiopians living on less than $2 U.S. a day. Many Ethiopian schools don’t have electricity and those that do don’t have a reliable source. Most Ethiopian schools don’t have computers which are considered vital teaching tools in the U.S. today.

This paper will demonstrate how Ethiopia can put a computer in every classroom and how that is a vital component to Ethiopia’s success in achieving Millennium Development Goal number two. Developed nations like the United States have an obligation to come to Ethiopia’s aid, helping it bridge the digital divide. The U.S. can start the program off by agreeing to donate its surplus government equipment to Ethiopian schools. In addition, the U.S. can encourage surplus computer donations from U.S. citizens as they replace their home computers. This leadership will encourage others to follow the U.S. lead. Before you know it, a classroom without a computer in Ethiopia will be a thing of the past.