EDI and International Partners Launch Consultation to Strengthen Ethiopia’s Female-Led Business Ecosystem

The Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI) convened a high-level stakeholder consultation on April 22, 2026, to drive a new era of growth within the national entrepreneurial ecosystem. The meeting, held in Addis Ababa, brought together representatives from Expertise France, GIZ, and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) to align strategic efforts toward the economic empowerment of women and youth.

The consultation serves as a foundational step for an upcoming European Union-funded delegated project. This initiative is designed to strengthen the business environment for women-owned enterprises and advance economic inclusion across strategic value chains. By prioritizing the cultivation of sustainable livelihoods and eco-friendly employment, the project aims to enhance socio-economic resilience and promote broader financial inclusion throughout Ethiopia.

The unified session successfully merged multiple work streams to ensure maximum operational efficiency and synergy among implementing partners. This collaborative framework focuses on creating a more supportive environment by improving access to sustainable finance and expanding technical skills for underrepresented groups.

As members of the implementing consortium, EDI and its international partners reaffirmed their commitment to building a more equitable and thriving economic landscape. This partnership is expected to deliver significant long-term impacts on Ethiopia’s business community by bridging existing gaps in market access and professional opportunities.