GEW 2025 Fosters Collaboration, Supports Sustainable Growth, and Rural Inclusion

Addis Ababa, November 19, 2025 (ENA) - The Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI) announced that the Global Entrepreneur Week (GEW) 2025 could foster collaboration, support sustainable growth and rural inclusion.

The EDI, in partnership with the Ministry of Labor, officially launched GEW Ethiopia 2025  in Addis Ababa, marking the start of the week-long global event (November 17-23) under the theme “Let’s Build Together!”

The launch highlighted its focus on collaboration, rural inclusion, and agri-tech innovation to drive sustainable growth for aspiring entrepreneurs across Ethiopia.

In an exclusive interview to ENA, Hassen Hussien, Chief Executive Officer of EDI, noted that GEW creates significant opportunities for experience exchange and business-to-business collaboration.

The initiative not only enhances networking and knowledge sharing, but also strengthens strategic partnerships within Ethiopia’s expanding startup ecosystem, he added.

Hassen underscored EDI's commitment to empowering all aspiring entrepreneurs, stating, “Every entrepreneur aims for growth and success. We invite you to seek our support.”

The CEO also welcomed individuals with innovative ideas to utilize the Institute's free services, noting that while limited funding may prioritize scalable startups, growth support for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) remains widely accessible.

The EDI delivers a wide range of free services across Ethiopia, specifically targeting women, internally displaced persons (IDPs), refugees, farmers, and youth entering the startup space, he stated.

Reflecting on the Institute's significant expansion, he said, “Ten years ago, we served thousands; today, our outreach extends to rural and communities across the country.”

The CEO also highlighted that last year alone, EDI engaged one million rural women in a single week, many of whom have since started their own businesses.

Emphasizing the central role of agriculture in the Ethiopian economy, Hassen elaborated EDI’s programs that train farmers and support agri-tech startups innovating in water and soil management.

He noted that a key partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) plays a vital role in driving youth-led projects aimed at transforming Ethiopia’s agricultural sector.

This year, initiatives are expanding to support sustainable livelihood transitions in environmentally challenged pastoral communities in Borana, he noted, adding, “We empower innovative minds, and this strengthens Ethiopia’s position as a leading hub for entrepreneurship and economic growth.”