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Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – 11 October 2024 – The atmosphere was electric as women agripreneurs, government officials, and key industry figures gathered at the Skylight Hotel in Addis Ababa for the highly anticipated Women in Agribusiness Forum Ethiopia. Spearheaded by AGRA through its VALUE4HER initiative, alongside Women in Coffee Ethiopia and Precise Consult, the event marked a transformative moment for the future of women-led agribusiness in the country. Agriculture, the cornerstone of Ethiopia’s economy, contributes 80% of export revenues. The role of women is made clear in the forum that plays in the sector despite the significant hurdles they face when expanding their businesses.

The VALUE4HER initiative came to light with a clear purpose: to dismantle barriers and empower women agripreneurs through capacity-building and improved access to finance. By tackling structural obstacles that hinder women’s growth, this initiative promises to revolutionize their role in agriculture, enabling them to seize new opportunities in high-value markets. In Ethiopia, where women perform 75% of farm labour and contribute up to 38% of high-value crop production, the potential impact of this programme cannot be overstated.

Opening the forum, Sara Yirga, President of Women in Coffee Ethiopia, delivered a compelling message that resonated deeply with the attendees: “Holding ourselves accountable to specific commitments in the economic empowerment of women in agribusiness is where we see true change coming from. After having various discussions, it’s time to call for results.” Her words set a powerful tone for the event, signalling that it was not just another discussion but a call to action.

Nicholas Obare, Country Programs Lead for AGRA Ethiopia, emphasized the far-reaching potential of targeted support for women: “When women are provided the right support at the right time, they will be at the forefront of transformative agri-food systems change, not just in Ethiopia, but across the African continent.” A vision for women’s leadership in agriculture perfectly matched the initiative’s long-term goals.

Aster Tafese, Director of Gender at the Ministry of Agriculture, reaffirmed the Ethiopian government’s commitment to empowering women in the sector. “Ethiopian women are entrepreneurial, and they are resilient. Programs like VALUE4HER are crucial, and as a ministry, we strive dedicated to ensuring their success,” she said. Adding to this, Dr. Debebe Barud, Senior Advisor to the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs, stressed the importance of supporting women in rural and underserved regions. “It’s time to overcome ignorance and take intentional action to support women agripreneurs, especially those from rural areas,” he urged.

As the event unfolded, the VALUE4HER initiative took centre stage, with a renewed focus on expanding its reach across Ethiopia. Initially launched in 2021, the initiative is poised to scale up, providing women access to critical resources, from financial tools to market networks. Jacqueline Chepkoech, VALUE4HER Lead, encouraged women agripreneurs to seize the moment, saying, “We urge every woman operating an agribusiness in Ethiopia to sign up for VALUE4HER. This rollout today signifies our commitment to walking this journey with you.”

The forum’s momentum continued to build as attention shifted to the strategic importance of the initiative for Ethiopia’s economic growth. Nana Amoah, Director of Gender, Youth, and Inclusiveness at AGRA, summed up the significance of the gathering: “Today’s forum is not just an event—it’s a platform to secure buy-in from all stakeholders. VALUE4HER represents a strategic opportunity to drive sectorial growth and promote gender-responsive policies in Ethiopia.” The day also highlighted the ongoing collaboration between AGRA and Women in Coffee Ethiopia, a partnership proudly celebrated: “The rollout of these initiatives today is a testament to our shared vision of making agribusiness profitable for women across Ethiopia.”

As the event drew close, participants made a collective pledge through a Call to Action, reaffirming their commitment to enhancing women’s access to finance, markets, and technical resources. AGRA set an ambitious goal: to onboard 200 women into the VALUE4HER platform during the forum, with plans to grow that number to over 9,000 by 2027. This expansion marks a significant step forward and heralds the dawn of a new chapter for women-led agribusiness in Ethiopia.

Winnie Osulah, AGRA’s Lead for Gender Integration, wrapped up the day with an inspiring vision for the future: “This platform is more than just a tool—it’s a movement. Movements that will empower every woman agripreneurs in Ethiopia to thrive, build resilience, and lead the transformation of the agricultural sector.”

As the event concluded and attendees mingled over lunch, the message was clear: Ethiopia’s agribusiness landscape is on the cusp of a new era. With their entrepreneurial spirit and unyielding resilience, women industriously lead the way, backed by AGRA and its partners, who stand ready to support them in breaking through barriers and achieving lasting success.

Sara Yirga, President of Women in Coffee Ethiopia                                     

 

Aster Tafese,Rep Director of Gender at the Ministry of Agriculture
Nicholas Obare, Country Programs Lead for AGRA Ethiopia
Dr. Debebe Barud, Senior Advisor to the Minister, Ministry of Women and Social Affairs
Nana Amoah – Director, Gender, Youth & Inclusiveness, AGRA
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