Japan Eyes Investment in Women-Led Market Development in Ethiopia’s Somali Region

Addis Ababa, March 6, 2026 (ENA)—The Government of Japan has signed a grant agreement to support the construction of fruit and vegetable market sheds for women entrepreneurs in Gode City, located in the Shabelle Zone of the Somali region of Ethiopia.

The grant contract for “The Project for the Construction of Fruit and Vegetable Market for Women in Gode City” was signed on today by Shibata Hironori, Ambassador of Japan to Ethiopia, and Abdullahi Sultan Ali, Executive Director of Association Develop Horn.

The initiative will support the construction of three fruit and vegetable market sheds, including the installation of electricity and water supply systems.

The project will also include a toilet facility with two rooms as well as separate pedestrian and vehicle gates to improve accessibility and sanitation at the market site in Gode.

Once completed, the market will enable 100 women entrepreneurs to sell fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the year in a safer and more organized environment, helping them secure a stable source of income.

 In addition, more than 20,000 residents in the surrounding community will benefit from improved access to fresh produce in a hygienic market setting.

Through Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects (GGP), the country will provide funding of up to 9.4 million Birr to implement fruit and vegetable market sheds project.

Since the establishment of the GGP program in 1989, the Government of Japan has implemented over 450 community-based projects across Ethiopia, it was indicated.

The program supports local development initiatives in sectors such as education, health, economic development, vocational training, water and sanitation, and food security, with the aim of improving human security at the grassroots level.