Better connectivity is opening new learning opportunities and supporting the university’s digital transformation
Wello University, located in Ethiopia’s Amhara region, is one of the leading higher education institutions, serving more than 20,000 students. When Ergebe Solomon arrived at the University, reliable internet access was hard to come by. Students often gathered outdoors late into the evening to get online, despite concerns about safety.
“There was only one place where students could access Wi-Fi, and it was outdoors,” she said. “It also only worked well on certain smartphones.”
For many students, getting online meant staying outside late into the evening, gathered around the limited access point to download course materials, conduct research, or communicate with friends and family. In the chilly highland climate, some worried about theft, while many female students felt unsafe moving around campus at night in search of a connection.
Ergebe’s experience was common across the campus and in many universities in Ethiopia, where internet access was limited and uneven. The conflict that began in 2020 further damaged ICT infrastructure, making connectivity even more difficult. Students often walked long distances to find a signal, usually in cafeterias or isolated computer rooms. For female students, the challenge was always about access to information, but it was also about personal safety.
To help address these challenges, the Government of Ethiopia, through the Ministry of Innovation and Technology (MinT) and the Ethiopian Research and Education Network (EthERNet), launched a project to expand wireless internet across selected universities. Supported by the World Bank’s East African Regional Digital Integration Project (EARDIP), the effort is helping expand digital connectivity, and rehabilitating infrastructure in underserved, borderland, and conflict-affected areas. This effort is supporting the development of digital skills, while strengthening opportunities for learning and innovation.
The results are already being felt on campuses across the country. The project has expanded fiber-based broadband connectivity to 206 higher education institutions, including 176 university campuses and research centers and 30 Technical and Vocational Education Training colleges across Ethiopia.
At Wello University, connectivity now reaches classrooms, libraries, offices, and outdoor areas. A key focus was extending access to residences. One of the most significant changes has been the extension of connectivity to dormitories, particularly those housing female students. Students can now access the internet from their rooms, reducing the need to move around campus at night and helping create a safer learning environment. For Ergebe and peers, this has transformed everyday learning.
“I find the Wi-Fi connection very helpful to access research tools for our assignments, whenever we need to,” she says.
Today, students use the internet to access learning materials, follow online tutorials, and support their independent study. Many also work together online, sharing notes and discussing ideas more easily.
The benefits extend beyond the classroom. The system is centrally managed, allowing IT teams to monitor performance and quickly address issues. It can also expand as the number of users grows. Improved connectivity has also strengthened university operations, helping digitize administrative functions and making it easier to share information across departments.
“Administrative processes are faster. Tasks such as finance, procurement, human resources, and student records are now handled through digital systems,” says Getachew Wassie, Project Coordinator. Student services, including registration and results, are increasingly managed online.
Challenges remain. Not all students have smartphones or laptops, limiting their ability to fully benefit from the expanded network. To address this, some universities are exploring options such as expanding computer labs and creating smart classrooms with shared devices.
