Ethiopia’s pro-entrepreneurship reforms creating space for innovation and youth-yed enterprise – Minister

Addis Ababa, November 18, 2025 (FMC) — Ethiopia’s reform-driven administration has created a supportive legal and policy environment that empowers private businesses to innovate and expand, thereby strengthening entrepreneurship nationwide and beyond, Labor and Skills Minister Muferiat Kamil said on Monday.

The minister made the remarks during the official launch of Global Entrepreneurship Week, held under the theme “Together We Build.” The event was co-organized by the Ministry of Labor and Skills, the Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI), and the Mastercard Foundation.

Muferiat said Ethiopia is witnessing the emergence of a bold generation of innovative entrepreneurs willing to take risks and establish diverse businesses, often without relying on government support.

She commended the Entrepreneurship Development Institute for its commitment to enhancing entrepreneurial capabilities and providing critical support to new and aspiring business owners across the country.

“The story of EDI inspires emerging entrepreneurs to build successful companies from scratch, proving that government financing is not the only path to success,” she said.

She further highlighted that TVET institutions now serve around six million young learners, equipping them with essential skills that prepare them to launch and manage their own ventures.

Ethiopia’s national development strategies, she added, are deliberately crafted to nurture the next generation of business leaders.

Muferiat also pointed to ongoing financial reforms that allow banks to provide loans to young entrepreneurs without collateral, basing decisions instead on the strength and viability of their business ideas. This shift, she said, is opening new doors and turning challenges into opportunities for Ethiopia’s youth.

In a video message, Global Entrepreneurship Network President Jonathan Ortmans emphasized the unifying nature of entrepreneurship worldwide.

“In 2025, we unite to celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit under the theme ‘Together We Build,’” he said, describing entrepreneurs as modern diplomats who connect communities and help tackle shared global challenges.

“If you have an idea and want to make a difference, Global Entrepreneurship Week invites you to engage and take bold risks,” Ortmans encouraged.

Entrepreneurship Development Institute CEO Hassen Hussein underscored the power of entrepreneurship in creating sustainable solutions and turning aspirations into reality.

“There is no substitute for the creative energy that entrepreneurs bring,” he said, noting that entrepreneurs learn from their setbacks and continue striving toward greater goals.

He added that Ethiopia’s revised legal frameworks are boosting creativity and enabling young people to shape successful futures.

The launch of Global Entrepreneurship Week, it was learned, reflects Ethiopia’s commitment to harnessing the energy and ambition of its youth and transforming their ideas into vibrant, long-lasting enterprises across the country.