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Ethiopia

Ethiopians Motivating Enterprises to Rise in Trade and Agri-Business (EMERTA)

2016 - 2023

MEDA’s EMERTA project is working to increase decent employment opportunities and the incomes of women and men in the Amhara Region of Ethiopia. The project improves the business performances of agricultural producers and of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that buy and supply inputs, equipment, and services. The project also supports business service providers, training institutions, and government bodies.

Overview

Name

The “EMERTA” acronym stands for Ethiopians Motivating Enterprises to Rise in Trade and Agri-Business. The EMERTA project is based in the Amhara Region of Ethiopia.

Goal

The goal of the EMERTA project is to increase sustainable employment and income generation of women and men in the Amhara region of Ethiopia. Its focus is on the rice, vegetable, and gemstone sectors.

Scope

The EMERTA project is striving to benefit 16,000 women and men and over 275 small businesses in the Amhara Region. So far, it has reached over 13,000 clients.

Context

More than 80% of Ethiopians live in rural areas where small-scale agriculture and artisanal mining activities are the dominant industries. Yet, despite the two industries’ importance, the sectors underperform. In the agricultural sector, the lack of modern machinery, seed systems, and agricultural techniques results in lower quality rice and vegetables. In the mining sector, workers face several challenges including a lack of modern techniques and machinery for production, undeveloped marketing systems, few quality inputs, and outdated gemstone sourcing and handling practices.

Opportunity

EMERTA supports workers, farmers, and businesses in the rice, vegetable, and gemstone sectors. The project focuses on the agriculture (rice and vegetables) and gemstones sectors to assist the Ethiopian government’s focus on driving economic growth (as identified in its Growth and Transformation Plan II).

EMERTA also works with local and national governments to foster policies that help small businesses to succeed.

Strategy

EMERTA is strengthening the competitiveness and profitability of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). It achieves this by:

Identifying gaps and opportunities in value chains and encouraging market actors to take advantage of these opportunities.
Using a business development approach that supports clients to overcome common challenges to achieve business success.
Delivering impact by working with rural extension agents and Farming Training Centers (FTCs), in rural communities. These FTCs promote effective agronomic practices and provide women and men farmers with reliable market information.
Including a gender and environmental sustainability focus in its work. This focus encourages more women farmers and workers to participate in the labor force and ensures that the work in these sectors is done in an environmentally sustainable manner.

Our Cumulative Impact by FY2022

Direct Individuals

Direct Businesses

Direct Women Clients

Direct Youth Clients

Indirect Individuals

Indirect Businesses

Decent Work

Total Budget

Funder

This program was undertaken with the financial support of the Government of Canada provided through Global Affairs Canada.

Partners

Mennonite Economic Development Associates is an international economic development organization that creates business solutions to poverty.

Follow MEDA

MEDA International is a Canadian non-share capital not-for-profit corporation incorporated under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act.

Mennonite Economic Development Associates is a 501(c)(3) status non-profit organization in the United States: EIN 23-7398678.
Mennonite Economic Development Associates of Canada is a registered charity in Canada: No. 107 691 057 RR0001.