Project profile — Value chains for economic growth

• Ethiopia (100.00%)

• Agricultural development:
Agricultural development (31120) (10.00%)
Food crop production (31161) (40.00%)
Livestock (31163) (10.00%)
Agricultural extension (31166) (10.00%)
• Mineral Resources And Mining: Precious metals/materials (32265) (30.00%)

• Participatory development and good governance (significant objective)
• Gender equality (significant objective)
• Nutrition (significant objective)
• Youth Issues (significant objective)
• Trade development (significant objective)
• Environmental sustainability (cross-cutting) (significant objective)

This project aims to increase sustainable employment and generate income by supporting micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the Amhara region, focusing on the rice, vegetable and gemstone markets. Project activities include: (1) strengthening knowledge and skills of producers and business owners, particularly women, to understand business and market opportunities; (2) facilitating access to innovative techniques, inputs and equipment to help producers and business owners increase productivity, develop new products, and reach new markets; (3) working with financial institutions to support producers, suppliers, and technology manufacturers in accessing finance to support increased productivity and business growth; and (4) contributing to an enabling, gender-sensitive business and policy environment to facilitate growth in these sectors.

The expected outcomes of this project include: (1) improved business performance of producers, particularly women, to compete in the market; (2) improved business performance of MSMEs, particularly women-led, to create stronger market linkages; and (3) improved gender-sensitive business environment for fostering growth of producers and MSMEs in the rice, vegetable and gemstone markets of the Amhara region of Ethiopia.

Results achieved at the end of the project (June 2024) include: (1) reached 17,100 producers and 470 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), surpassing the initial targets of 16,000 producers and 275 MSMEs; (2) 76% of producers (72% women and 79% men) reported an increase in annual income, surpassing the target of 75%; (3) 71% MSMEs (60% women and 77 men) reported an increase in annual income despite the conflict but it did not reach the target of 75%; (4) 54% of MSMEs (42% women and 59% men) reported change in job creation, which is slightly below the target of 75% due to the intense conflict in the region.

• Proactive disclosure