SEED Program Reaches Over 240,000 Youth, Transitioning 131,000+ into Work and Disbursing Over 1.5 Billion Birr in Amhara Region

BAHIR DAR, ETHIOPIA — Over 240,000 young people have been reached with entrepreneurship and technical skills training, more than 131,000 youth have transitioned into dignified self- and wage-employment, and over 1.5 billion ETB in loans has been disbursed across the Amhara Region over the past three years through the Sustainable Employment through Entrepreneurship & Enterprise Development (SEED) Program. Implemented by the Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI) as program lead in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation and consortium partners, the initiative exceeded its initial three-year benchmarks by delivering an integrated package of interventions: market-relevant skill development, access to finance, market linkages, continuous mentorship, and ecosystem strengthening.

To ensure sustainable enterprise development and youth employability, the program extended follow-up advisory services, mentorship, and business development support to over 60,000 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Beyond credit facilities, the initiative supported 60 million ETB directly to Technical and Vocational Training (TVET) institutions and early-stage startups in the form of training raw materials, machinery, tools, and startup grants. In total, over 1.56 billion ETB in financial resources and capital assets was mobilized across the region between July 2023 and July 2026.

These milestone achievements were evaluated during the SEED Program Amhara Region Three-Year Performance Review and Stakeholder Engagement Workshop, held August 1–2, 2026, in Bahir Dar. The two-day forum convened regional leadership, consortium representatives, TVET deans, microfinance institutions, program participants, and Youth Advisory Group members. The agenda featured a comprehensive program evaluation, interactive panel discussions where youth and enterprise owners shared first-hand testimonials, and strategic alignment sessions for the upcoming project cycle.

A key highlight of the event was an official recognition ceremony hosted by the Amhara Region Bureau of Labor and Skills. EDI received recognition for its outstanding leadership and coordination of the SEED Program. Recognition certificates were also presented to consortium members, zonal labor and skills offices, and participating TVET institutes for their vital contributions to the program's success across the region.

Delivering the key message at the workshop, Awoke Zemene, Deputy Head of the Amhara Region Bureau of Labor and Skills, emphasized the strategic importance of entrepreneurship and enterprise development to regional economic development and youth self-reliance. "The SEED Program is playing a key role in the region's socio-economic journey by strengthening entrepreneurship, enterprise development, and the employability of our youth," stated Mr. Awoke Zemene.

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). Grounded in a commitment to inclusive economic transformation, the program ensures that 80% of opportunities benefit young women, while intentionally creating equitable pathways for disadvantaged groups, including youth with disabilities and internally displaced persons.

Yibeltal Elias, EDI Regional Coordinator for the Amhara Region, commended the active engagement of regional administration officials, educational hubs, and financial institutions. He noted that the program’s holistic approach blending technical instruction, financial inclusion, market access, and enterprise incubation remains pivotal to driving local economic growth.

Looking ahead to the next project year, stakeholders established clear execution plans aimed at accelerating youth economic opportunities. EDI and its partners will focus on expanding entrepreneurship and technical skills training, scaling mentorship for growing MSMEs, widening access to finance, and establishing direct access to marketsultimately fortifying the entrepreneurship and enterprise development ecosystem across all zones of the Amhara Region.