Support for Growth-oriented Women Entrepreneurs in Ethiopia

The report indicates the next steps that are appropriate for the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the International Labor Organization (ILO) in supporting growth-oriented women entrepreneurs in Ethiopia.

The report discusses the following issues:

• Support for growth-oriented women entrepreneurs in Ethiopia;
• The economic context;
• The micro and small enterprises (MSE) sector in Ethiopia;
• The state of women's enterprise in Ethiopia;
• The MSE development strategy;
• The components of an enabling environment for growth-oriented women entrepreneurs.

The report then makes recommendations for:

• Policy/program coordination and leadership;
• The promotion of entrepreneurship;
• Women's access to microfinance and other forms of financing;
• Training and skills development;
• Business support and information;
• Women entrepreneurs' associations and capacity building;
• Access to premises;
• The regulatory environment;
• Further research.

The report concludes by stating that:

• The lack of access to education, training, information, finance and land are the main hurdles that constrain Ethiopian women entrepreneurs;
• There is a need to consolidate and expand initiatives such as credible role-models, facilitation for women-owned enterprises, etc.;
• Donors, government organizations and non-government organizations need to develop an overall strategy for improving the circumstances of women, especially their access to finance;
• Two of the most important things are to improve women's access to education, and effect changes in the cultural, socio-economic environment to accord them higher status and more control over economic resources.