Youth leaders to help shape CATALYZE Ethiopia
On March 23, 2021, four dynamic young leaders met with the USAID/Ethiopia Market Systems for Growth activity. The youth leaders were each nominated by youth-led and youth-serving organizations to serve on MS4G’s Youth Advisory Board (YAB). MS4G is a $44 million, 4-year USAID/Ethiopia-funded activity to boost inclusive, private sector-led economic growth through a market systems approach.
Because Market Systems for Growth (MS4G) is dedicated to ensuring maximum impact through thoughtful engagement with youth, MS4G is providing opportunities for youth leaders to advise MS4G on their priorities and insights on youth-related topics and issues. The YAB met with Country Director Yohannes Assefa; Deputy Country Director for Operations Waqas Mahmood, Job Placement Manager Lidya Argaw; Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Communications Assistant Betelhem Eshete, and Activity Lead Katy Vickland.
YAB member Nolawit Shimelis Zewde emphasized to MS4G that, “Our participation on the YAB will both give us a chance to share our experience, as well as to learn. I’m confident I can contribute things that are very practical, including access to youth networks.” Nolawit Shimelis Zewde is a 2017 Mandela Washington Fellow and an agronomist with 10 years of experience. Currently, she is a Marketing Manager for Greenlife Trading PLC, one of the leading farm input suppliers in Ethiopia. In this role, she arranges professional support, field days, and other platforms for small-scale farmers. Nolawit is committed to providing farmers with the right knowledge, technology, and skill sets that will provide a positive impact on their socioeconomic status.
Abel Hailegiorgis Daddy commented “We look forward to sharing the benefit of the points of view of diverse Ethiopia youth with MS4G. I expect that YAB will provide ideas on activities for MS4G.” Abel is the founder of Bamboo Labs, a social enterprise that promotes affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems by using renewable resources to create a positive environmental impact. Abel won the #Greenpreneurs2020 Global Award from Global Green Growth Institute for his work with Bamboo Labs. He is a graduate of Addis Ababa University and Adama Science and Technology University, and a member of YALI.
Yordanos Tekleab Wolde is an experienced Youth Programs Manager in the fields of sexual reproductive health, gender equality and youth engagement. Working with Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health, she developed a Youth Engagement Guideline, and continues to engage local and international partners in her fields of interest. Yordanos encouraged MS4G to take into account the differing needs of urban versus rural youth, as well as to catalyze additional sources of financing, including seed grants, for young entrepreneurs. She also expressed, “I am excited to learn more about MS4G’s market systems approach. My background is mostly in health. This will be a learning experience, I hope, and that is what I look forward to.”
Samiya Abdulkader Godu pointed out that, “Young Ethiopian entrepreneurs seek training and networking opportunities. They need information on opportunities.” Samiya is the Founder and CEO of Aim View General Educational Consultancy and Support, which works to improve the quality of education in Ethiopia. She is also the founder and President of Ethiopian Youth Entrepreneurs Association (EYEA). Samiya holds a Masters in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Applied Chemistry.
Throughout the year they serve on the YAB, the youth leaders will engage in formal and informal consultation on activity design and implementation through in-person (safely, in accordance with COVID-safe procedures) and virtual meetings, and on-line surveys, among other means.
