Abstract:
The concept of open data is not new, but a formalized definition is relatively new. Open Data can be freely used,
modified, and shared by anyone. Open data is the idea that some data should be freely available to everyone to use and
republish as they wish, without restrictions from copyright, patents or other mechanisms of control. Open data is very
important for the development of nation’s economy. In this paper an attempt has been made to define what is ‘Open data’
and how it has its significant role in Ethiopian context. Collected the already existed data in relation to different fields of
Ethiopia. The literature search has been done in deep level at present and for the future development. Used Knoema.com
datasets in Ethiopia. Different sources have taken for the readers/researchers reference: Open data handbook, The Data
Journalism handbook, Global Network, The Public Domain Review, Open Data Day, some of the Press releases relating
to different aspects. Taken statistics of Ethiopia by Government National Statistics Office. Used Ethiopia data Portal.
Discussed about Ethiopian economy, it’s GDP per capita, World Bank Ethiopia Economic update 2017 pdf and The
National Open Data Policy of the Government of Ethiopia in detail. At the end recommendations given from most of the
previous studies. In conclusion we can say that an open data policy alone will not steer Ethiopia towards the
implementation of open data practice and the realization of the potential of open data for Ethiopia’s citizens.
