Digital Opportunity Trust | Entrepreneurship Business Growth

#DOTYouth

In 2022, DOT celebrated the end of the Entrepreneurship and Business Growth (EBG) project, our largest project operation for a single county.

Supported by the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada, the Entrepreneurship and Business Growth project was implemented by DOT Ethiopia and focused on activating the potential of Ethiopia’s large and untapped youth population to play a substantial role in the country’s socio-economic growth and realization of its ambitious digitization plans.

The project sought to increase the number and strength of micro and small enterprises (MSEs) in Ethiopia, particularly those owned by youth and women, by promoting young people as social and economic leaders in their communities and by providing relevant skills training and holistic business development services that address barriers to youth entrepreneurship.

At the end of the 9-year project, DOT underwent an independent evaluation, completed by Genesis Analytics, an internationally respected firm with expertise in African socio-economic development. The evaluation brief outlines the best practices and lessons learned for future interventions for entrepreneurship development support in Ethiopia.

Here are 4 highlights from the EBG Final Evaluation:

The project had positive effects on participants’ entrepreneurship skills and confidence which led to a high level of business creation
The project deepened relevant services for women entrepreneurs and female youth, built upon motivational skills, confidence building and women’s rights
The project successfully developed linkages and synergies with other projects and organizations working with youth and women entrepreneurs in Ethiopia
The project strongly supported government stakeholders and their long-term vision, particularly regarding strengthening the country’s entrepreneurship ecosystem