This brief provides an overview of the first-ever line of credit focused on women entrepreneurs. Launched in 2012, the Women Entrepreneurship Development Project was designed to address both financial and human capital constraints. Its operations have expanded to 18 Ethiopian cities and 60,000 registered women entrepreneurs. To date, over 25,000 loans have been disbursed, and business training has been provided to more than 30,000 women entrepreneurs. Drawing on findings from impact evaluations embedded into the project, this brief offers insights into innovations and lessons learned.
Blog » Enterprising Women: A Decade of Learning from Ethiopia’s Women Entrepreneurship Development Project (2024)
Enterprising Women: A Decade of Learning from Ethiopia’s Women Entrepreneurship Development Project (2024)
This brief provides an overview of the first-ever line of credit focused on women entrepreneurs. Launched in 2012, the Women Entrepreneurship Development Project was designed to address both financial and human capital constraints. Its operations have expanded to 18 Ethiopian cities and 60,000 registered women entrepreneurs. To date, over 25,000 loans have been disbursed, and business training has been provided to more than 30,000 women entrepreneurs. Drawing on findings from impact evaluations embedded into the project, this brief offers insights into innovations and lessons learned.