Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) series

Inspiring Initiative:

Amhara Region Women

Entrepreneurs Association,

Ethiopia

Women ’s Economic Empowerment Series October, 2010

THE SERIE’S FOUR COMPONENTS: Why this initiative is inspiring The Amhara Women Entrepreneurs Association (AWEA) is a private Background papers regional non-profit organisation established for female entrepreneurs. Quick guides to what and how Since AWEA became active in 2003 it has grown into the second-largest Tools private business organisation in Ethiopia, in number of members. Inspiring Initiatives AWEA operates in four different cities: Bahir Dar, Gondar, Debre Markos and Dessie. The head office is located in Bahir Dar.

The association has been AWEA has become a national role model for supporting female business attracting more women entrepreneurs. The role of the private sector, and women entrepreneurs entrepreneurs as members each in particular, for economic growth and development of Ethiopian society year. Now AWEA has over 3,000 cannot be emphasised enough. AWEA offers a number of Business members, with nearly 2,000 Development Services, which are instrumental in improving the active/paying members. livelihood of its members. Advocacy and lobbying, trade fairs, saving and credit, secretarial are among the core services on offer.

AWEA created the National The project was run with financial assistance from Sida and technical Women Business Network, assistance from the Swedish Chamber of Commerce (see the column to NWBN and approximately the left for more details). 11,000 Ethiopian women entrepreneurs are now Programme objective represented by NWBN. The long-term objective of the project was to facilitate sustainable development of the Ethiopian business community and thus contribute to AWEA’s support to its members poverty reduction through economic growth and increased trade. consists of: - Business Development The purpose of the cooperation between AWEA and the Swedish Services by introducing Chamber was to strengthen the capacity of AWEA. The goal for AWEA innovative business ideas was, and still is, to provide necessary support to members and therefore and helping members contribute to a well functioning, more equal business community in the develop their own ideas; Amhara Region. - Consultancy services in marketing, taxation, Results financing, etc; AWEA achieved remarkable results in creating socio-economic - Skill training on empowerment of women entrepreneurs. The overall result of the project customer handling, is increased operational efficiency of the association and social and bookkeeping, business economic empowerment of women. AWEA has received recognition planning, etc; and, from governmental and non-governmental organisations. As a result of - Mentoring, more advocacy efforts, members in the four zones managed to get access to experienced members are working premises, land for a business centre, office and tourist village, mentors to their less and space for street fairs. experienced colleagues.

The AWEA project consisted of Below are some of the results that members of the AWEA have achieved: four areas:  Diversified and expanded business; 1. Leadership and  Improved income, ways of working, business management, governance knowledge in negotiations and improved self-confidence among The organisational structure was the women; reformed and thanks to this the  Broader business network; capacity of the executive  The families of the women became supportive; today one can committee increased. Training was observe close assistance from husbands. For example the focused on long-term visions, husbands and the families of the members visit AWEA to pay strategic planning, identifying monthly membership fees and the husbands help with exhibits goals, opportunities, challenges and during trade fairs. how to meet them – both on a  The National Women Business Network (NWBN) was theoretical and practical level. established 2007 by AWEA with assistance from the Swedish Chamber. The network has now members representing 10 regions 2. Development of member in Ethiopia. services The variety and quality of services What made a difference? offered to AWEA members was developed. AWEA now offers One crucial part of this project was the presence of the Swedish Chamber. training to all its members (the Within the AWEA project, the Swedish Chamber has played the role of association is still dependent on mentor and strengthened the capacity of AWEA through experience donor contributions to carry out sharing between established business organisations and AWEA. For four training). Trade Fairs are organised months a chamber employee was placed at AWEA headquarter in Bahir and business development services Dar. This was important in order to intensify the cooperation. are offered. AWEA aspires to establish a credit and savings fund. The project with AWEA covered four areas (see more information to the left): 3. New project proposal to  Leadership and governance; Sida  Development of member services; The Swedish Chamber assisted  New project proposal to Sida (a new proposal); and, AWEA in drafting new project  Networking – building a national women business network. documents in line with our priorities and needs. A new Through workshops, interactions with the Swedish Chamber, external cooperation agreement was signed consultants with knowledge of gender and networking, together with 2008 between Sida and AWEA for study tours, gave the women an international exposure that is needed to the period 2008-2011. challenge current perspectives. Learning from women’s associations and

business women in other countries is crucial. 4. Building a national women’s business network It was a necessity for AWEA Conclusions members to find suppliers and  AWEA is a genuine grassroots organisation run by and representing buyers from other regions in the women in a country where men traditionally rule. country; therefore a national  The association now has a solid base, and has taken on the role of network, NWBN, for Ethiopian mentor and role model to other Ethiopian women’s entrepreneurial women entrepreneurs was associations. established. Through the network  AWEA has developed its management practice, enhanced its AWEA has been able to provide business opportunities and contacts service delivery and created valuable networks. Local, regional, to members seeking partners and national and international trade has been promoted through the clients outside the Amhara region. networks.  The association generates more than 50% of its budget from sources outside donor support.

To read more about AWEA, visit: http://www.aweaamhara.org/