This discussion paper synthesizes the individual investigations of nonformal education activities in the following four groups of programs in Ethiopia: rural/traditional, urban/modern, literacy, and miscellaneous (programs which do not fit into other classifications). The synthesis of the investigations into a country-wide study was undertaken to answer questions concerning the overall development goals in Ethiopia. Discussion focuses on the early development and present scope of literacy programs, organizations conducting literacy programs, conclusions, needed research, and general comments on the problems of illiteracy in the world, as well as in Ethiopia. (JM)