Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI)

Wearing the Moment, Shaping the Future How Common Aspirations Wove a Dream Into Reality In Debrebirhan, 32-year-old Getenet Assefa turned childhood tailoring lessons into Jano Garment, a thriving local enterprise created alongside his two sisters, including a Middle East returnee. The turning point came through the SEED (Sustainable Employment through Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development) program—led by the Entrepreneurship Development Institute in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation and consortium members. Through technical training, mentorship, market linkages, and access to finance, Jano Garment transformed rapidly. Monthly sales surged past 550,000 Birr, valuation surpassed 3 Million Birr, and the team expanded to 17 dignified jobs, with plans to begin exporting products internationally next year! This #InternationalYouthDay2026, under the theme "Different Contexts, Common Aspirations," we celebrate young visionaries building sustainable futures for their communities. Read more #YouthEmpowerment #YoungAfricaWorks #InternationalYouthDay2026 #SEEDProgram #Entrepreneurship #Ethiopia #DignifiedWork

𝗦𝗘𝗘𝗗 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟵,𝟱𝟬𝟬 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵, 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝟭𝟭,𝟳𝟬𝟬+ 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗯𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟵𝟴 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝗶𝗿𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗶𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻! The Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI), in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, consortium members, and the Tigray Bureau of TVT and Job Creation, hosted the SEED Program Stakeholders Consultation Workshop in Mekelle in July 2026. Operating in Tigray since March 2024, the SEED Program serves as a powerful catalyst for post-conflict recovery. The workshop convened regional leaders, financial institutions, TVT deans, program participants, Youth Advisory Groups, community representatives, and media members. Regional Impact & Milestone Highlights: . 19,536 young people reached with entrepreneurship & technical training. . 11,788 young people transitioned into dignified self- and wage-employment. . 198,837,796 ETB in credit and loan access facilitated for youth enterprises. . 9 TVT institutions supported with capacity building, tools, and materials. The program gives emphasis to young people, disadvantaged groups, and internally displaced persons (IDPs) to enhance inclusive economic development. Regional stakeholders discussed achievements, lessons learned, and strategic directives, shared key lessons, and established collaborative solutions to streamline administrative processes, navigate dynamic local conditions, and enhance portfolio health. "The SEED Program has demonstrated remarkable strength as a cornerstone of post-conflict recovery. All regional partners must strengthen working relationships to support enterprise resilience." Elsa Tesfay, Head, Tigray Bureau of TVT and Job Creation "The SEED Program momentum reflects that by localizing the National Entrepreneurship Policy and strengthening collaboration, we can effectively address challenges and create a model for future interventions." Alem Aregawi, Vice Head, Tigray Bureau of TVT and Job Creation With enhanced business advisory support, streamlined financial access, and intentional inclusion, EDI and its partners remain dedicated to building a resilient economic future for young people! Read more #EDI #MastercardFoundation #SEEDProgram #Tigray #YouthEmployment #AccessToFinance #Entrepreneurship #DignifiedWork #SMEGrowth #Ethiopia

Interested in applying for the YBI Bootcamp 2026? As a member of Youth Business International (YBI), the Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI) invites young entrepreneurs supported by the YBI network to join one of the free online information sessions. Learn more about: ✅ The YBI Bootcamp 2026 ✅ The application process ✅ The opportunity to become YBI's Global Young Entrepreneur of the Year. 📅 Information sessions: 12 August 2026 You only need to attend one session. 🔗 Register here: https://youthbusiness.org/blog/events/bootcamp-2026-info-for-young-entrepreneurs/ We look forward to seeing aspiring entrepreneurs from our network take advantage of this exciting opportunity! #YBI #EDI #Ethiopia #YBIBootcamp #YouthEntrepreneurship

Driving Ethiopia’s Job Center Transformation from the frontline! The Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI), in collaboration with the Ministry of Labor and Skills (MoLS) and technical support from the WorldBank, has successfully concluded the first round of the 10-day Soft and Technical Skills Excellence Training (July 27 – August 5, 2026) Building on the national Job Center Transformation framework launched in Bishoftu on July 9, 2026, this practical training equipped 160+ frontline officers across 5 strategic hubs Addis Ababa, Adama, Bahir Dar, Hawassa, and Dire Dawa with 11 core operational modules. By mastering case management, digital job matching, biometric registration, and standard operating procedures, these teams are leading the shift to transform Job Centers into dynamic, client-centered Opportunity Hubs. Speaking at the closing ceremony, EDI Training Manager Tewodros Abebe commended the participants' commitment and urged them to effectively apply their new skills to deliver enhanced, high-quality, data-driven enterprise development and employment services. Read More #EDI #MoLS #WorldBank #JobCenterTransformation #Ethiopia #WorkforceDevelopment

EDI and IPDC Sign MoU to Accelerate Startups and SMEs in Ethiopia The Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI) and the Industrial Parks Development Corporation (IPDC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on August 4, 2026, at IPDC Headquarters in Addis Ababa to accelerate homegrown startups and SMEs across Ethiopia. Signed by EDI CEO Dr. Hassan Hussein and IPDC Deputy CEO Mr. Fitsum Ketema, the agreement connects EDI’s entrepreneurship training, incubation, acceleration, mentorship, and enterprise support programs with IPDC’s industrial spaces, Special Economic Zones (SEZs), and logistics infrastructure. Together, EDI and IPDC are building an end-to-end support pipeline to drive sustainable enterprise creation and expansion, boost national economic dynamism, and pave the way for globally competitive Ethiopian enterprises. Read more #EDI #IPDC #Ethiopia #Startups #SMEs #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #EconomicGrowth #AddisAbaba