SEED Program Reaches Over 19,500 Youth, Transitioning 11,700+ into Work and Disbursing Over 198 Million Birr in Tigray Region

MEKELLE, ETHIOPIA — The Sustainable Employment through Entrepreneurship & Enterprise Development (SEED) Program has reached 19,536 young people with entrepreneurship and technical skills training, transitioned 11,788 young people into dignified self- and wage-employment, and facilitated 198,837,796 ETB in financial disbursements across the Tigray Region. Implemented by the Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI) as program lead in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation and consortium partners and in collaboration with the Tigray Bureau of TVT and Job Creation the initiative serves as a vital pillar for post-conflict socio-economic recovery.

These milestones, key lessons learned, and strategic execution strategies were discussed during the Regional Stakeholder Consultation and Awareness Creation Meeting held in July 2026 in Mekelle. The two-day workshop brought together stakeholders, including regional leaders, financial institutions such as the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, Wegagen Bank, Enat Bank, Dedebit Microfinance, and Adeday Microfinance, TVT directors, SME coordinators, local entrepreneurs, program participants, Youth Advisory Groups, community representatives, and media members.

Throughout the deliberations, stakeholders discussed achievements, lessons learned, and strategic directives while considering the dynamic socio-economic and political environment in which regional operations expanded. Key discussions centered on addressing administrative paperwork delays to streamline credit access for emerging micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), as well as enhancing overall portfolio sustainability. Partners focused on strengthening business advisory services and improving financial literacy among program participants.

Addressing participants at the opening, Elsa Tesfay, Head of the Tigray Bureau of TVT and Job Creation, highlighted the core strength of the initiative and called for deepened collaboration: "The SEED Program has demonstrated remarkable strength as a cornerstone of post-conflict recovery by generating tangible economic opportunities for our youth and women. To build upon this momentum, all regional partners must strengthen working relationships and collective efforts to support enterprise resilience and long-term socio-economic progress." Highlighting the program’s collaborative execution model, Haftu Haile, EDI Tigray Regional Delegated Coordinator, noted:

"The achievements realized thus far reflect the collective dedication of our consortium partners, regional administration officials, TVT institutes, and financial institutions. By combining entrepreneurship training with innovative access to finance, advisory services, and ecosystem support, we are creating a strong foundation for youth-led enterprises across the region."

Concluding the deliberations, Alem Aregawi, Vice Head of the Tigray Bureau of TVT and Job Creation, highlighted the program's strategic direction:

"The SEED Program momentum reflects that building a thriving enterprise ecosystem requires continuous alignment and adaptive solutions. By effectively localizing the National Entrepreneurship Development Policy and strengthening multi-stakeholder collaboration, we can address implementation challenges, make the SEED Program an even greater success, and establish a benchmark model for future interventions."

Although the national SEED Program has completed its third year, its implementation in Tigray officially started in March 2024. Over this implementation period, the program delivered an integrated package of interventions encompassing market-driven skill development, access to finance (A2F), business development services (BDS), market linkages, and local ecosystem strengthening. Additionally, 9 Technical and Vocational Training (TVT) institutions in the region have been supported through capacity building, raw materials, tools, and training infrastructure.

Nationally, the SEED Program operates through a consortium comprising EDI, Ethiopian Aviation University (EAU), Hope Enterprises, American College of Technology (ACT), and eHealth IT Services PLC (Orbit Health & Orbit Innovation Hub). The program gives emphasis to young people, disadvantaged groups, and internally displaced persons (IDPs) to enhance inclusive economic development.