A new cohort of Ethiopian women entrepreneurs is ready to chart bold paths in business following the successful completion of a China-supported entrepreneurship training programme. Held under the China-Ethiopia Business Skills Enhancement Initiative, the graduation ceremony on December 20, 2025 celebrated 150 female participants who completed intensive instruction in business planning, financial literacy, marketing strategy, and digital tools for enterprise growth.
The training is part of a broader partnership between the Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia, the Ethiopian Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration, and key local institutions designed to strengthen the capacity of women-led businesses and enhance their competitive edge in local and regional markets. Participants received practical coaching, networking opportunities, and mentorship that links them to investors and business incubators.
At the graduation event, Chinese Ambassador Chen Xiaodong underscored China’s commitment to empowering women’s economic participation, calling the programme “a concrete example of how China-Africa cooperation can unlock human potential and contribute to inclusive economic development.” The ambassador also highlighted the significance of women entrepreneurs in driving job creation and innovation across Ethiopia’s growing economy.
Ethiopian Trade Minister Kassahun Alemu commended the graduates and praised the bilateral initiative for equipping women with the skills needed to succeed in competitive sectors such as agribusiness, fashion, technology, and services. He noted that women-owned enterprises are increasingly recognized as engines of growth and that partnerships like this help align national economic priorities with global best practices.
This business training is part of a long-term trend in China-Ethiopia collaboration that goes well beyond economic diplomacy. China has been a strategic partner in infrastructure development, contributing to projects such as the Addis Ababa Light Rail Transit and multiple road and energy ventures that underpin the country’s industrial ambitions.
In the educational sphere, significant numbers of Ethiopian students benefit from Chinese government scholarships, attending universities and vocational institutions in China where they gain professional skills in engineering, agriculture, health sciences, and business. These training programmes help expand Ethiopia’s skilled workforce and deepen intercultural ties.
Human resource development also extends to technical exchange programmes, including partnerships between Ethiopian enterprises and Chinese companies that operate locally, such as in manufacturing and ICT. These collaborations often include on-site training, apprenticeships, and curriculum development support for Ethiopian vocational colleges.
Empowering women entrepreneurs aligns with Ethiopia’s broader development agenda, articulated in its Homegrown Economic Reform (HGER) and long-term Vision 2030 plan, which emphasises inclusive growth, private sector development, and job creation. By enhancing women’s participation in the formal economy, Ethiopia gains not only economic diversification but also stronger social resilience.
For China, supporting programmes that build local capacity reflects a people-centered approach to South-South cooperation – one that strengthens institutions, fosters sustainable development, and contributes to human capital formation across the continent.
As these graduates return to their communities – equipped with business know-how, strategic networks, and renewed confidence – their success stories will help shape the next chapter of Ethiopia’s economic transformation and reinforce the value of cross-national collaboration in achieving shared prosperity.
