Events
Celebrating Global Entrepreneurs Week at the US Embassy
CAWEE in collaboration with the US Embassy, organized an engaging event in which the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) program graduates exhibited their products in celebrating the Global Entrepreneurs Week at the US Embassy compound on November 17, 2023. The event featured products of 23 companies, covering diverse sectors. The AWE program is financially and technically supported by the Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs of the US Department of State and the US Embassy Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
In representing the Executive Director of CAWEE, Nigest Haile (Dr.), Mr. Solomon Wole, AWE Program Facilitator, officially opened the event with welcoming remarks. Participants that were able to showcase their products had the opportunity to promote their businesses, to network and sell their products to the Embassy staff and invited guests. During the event, His Excellency Mr. Ervin Massinga, Ambassador of the United States to Ethiopia, graced the occasion with his presence and visited each company’s booth.
Throughout the event, participants were able to share each other’s business journey and highlighted the tangible benefits gained from the AWE program. The event, beyond exhibiting products, served as a platform for meaningful connections, knowledge exchange, experience sharing and useful engagements.
CAWEE Members are Taking Part at the IATF2023
The third edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2023) is jointly organized by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in collaboration with the AUC & the AfCFTA Secretariat, November 9-15, 2023 in Cairo, Egypt.
IATF2023 is expected to be a unique and valuable platform for businesses to access an integrated African market of over 1.3 billion people with a GDP of over US3.5 trillion expected to be created under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
With the generous support secured from GIZ AU AfCFTA Support Office, eight CAWEE members ( Ande Mamma, Elilta Products, Entoto Beth Artisan, Jerrocia Coffee, Kedemt Coffee, Natural Leather, Samore Flower and Yewebdar Crafts) are taking part at the IATF2023.
During the first day of the event, November 9, 2023, H.E. Hassen Ebrahim, Ambassador of Ethiopia to Egypt and Libya visited the exhibition stand of CAWEE members. The Ambassador was impressed by the variety and quality of the products, where he appreciated the efforts of the companies and encouraged them all to work hard to benefit from the African trading opportunities. H.E. Ambassador Hassen appreciated CAWEE for all its efforts in bringing such a delegation of women exporters to exhibit their products in representing Ethiopia.
CAWEE’s Executive Director Met Ethiopian Ambassador in Egypt
The Executive Director of CAWEE, Nigest Haile (Dr.) met H. E. Hassen Ibrahim, Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary Ambassador to Egypt and Libya at the Ethiopian Embassy in Cairo, Egypt. During the meeting, the Executive Director briefed the Ambassador and his Team on what CAWEE is doing, with a focus to the facilitation of the intra-African trade and the Ethiopian delegation of women exporters, that are exhibiting their products at the Intra-African Trade Fair in Cairo, November 9-15, 2023. The delegation’s participation is generously sponsored by the GIZ AU AfCFTA Support Office, which CAWEE is very grateful on that..
Trade facilitation between Ethiopia, Egypt and Libya was also discussed, where the Embassy in Cairo has availed itself to facilitate Ethiopian trade with those countries where it is agreed to collaborate and jointly work on that in engaging other concerned potential partners like the Ministry of Trade & Regional Integration, Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce & Sectoral Associations and others.
CAWEE & Afreximbank Team Met in Cairo
Leading a delegation of Ethiopian women exporters to take part at the Intra-African Trade Fair, November 9-15, 2023, the Executive Director of CAWEE met with the MANSA/Afreximbank Team, led by Mrs. Maureen MBA, Head, MANSA Digital Initiative Team on November 7, 2023 in Cairo, Egypt.
The meeting focused on reviewing the status of the partnership of those organizations, following the MoU that CAWEE signed with Afreximbank in registering its members at the MANSA platform (https://www.mansaafrica.com/), where currently 19 CAWEE member companies are registered. The meeting reviewed progress made in bringing more companies and organizations on board (currently 12,330 on board), in making the platform more user friendly.
Briefing was also provided on the Pan-African Payment & Settlement System (PAPSS), a cross-border, financial market infrastructure enabling payment transactions across Africa, where 11 Central Banks from 11 countries are already on board, of which Ethiopia is not part. Through trial transactions made in those countries, the PAPSS, that is instant payment with local currency, has already proved working and the MANSA Team is aggressively working to bring on board all African countries.
Potential partnership areas were also discussed at the Continental Event that CAWEE planned to organize in 2024 in Addis Ababa, where the MANSA Team has shown interest to partner with CAWEE, with a focus to bring on board women owned companies at the MANSA platform.
CAWEE’s Executive Director Met Ambassador Tesfaye in NY
The Executive Director of the Center for Accelerated Women’s Economic Empowerment (CAWEE) Nigest Haile (Dr.) met H. E. Ambassador Tesfaye Yilma, Permanent Representative to the UN Permanent Mission of Ethiopia at his office in New York (NY), October 26, 2023.
The meeting discussed on exploring partnership areas with a focus to organizing side event for 2024 during the UN General Assembly in NY. The issue of the discussion underlined the partnership in the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement, with a focus on creating strong partnership among the main actors, i.e. the Government (Ethiopian Mission in NY, Ministry of Trade & Regional Integration, Ethiopian Airlines/Ethiopian Cargo, Ethio-post, Telecommunications, etc.), the Private Sector (Chambers of Commerce, Private Banks, like – Enat Bank, Hibret Bank, Associations of Women in Business/Trade Promotion Organizations, etc.).
H.E. Ambassador Tesfaye was informed on the coming soon CAWEE’s e-commerce platform – https://abyssinia4intraafricantrade.com/, expected to be operational in few months’ time, where trail sales is expected to be operational, currently Ethiopia, Kenya & Rwanda being on board, over 150 women owned companies registered within this platform.
Ambassador Tesfaye appreciated what CAWEE has started working in the preparation for the implementation of the AfCFTA and he underlined that, the Ethiopian Mission in NY is anytime available to provide support in this respect.
Only 3 weeks left for the Intra-African Trade Fair 2023!
The Intra African Trade Fair 2023 will be held in Cairo, Egypt in just three weeks with the theme of 'Connecting African Markets' and it provides a unique platform for participating countries to draw the attention of international buyers and investors to their country's treasures. CAWEE will be represented by eight women-led exporting companies, which are AndE Mamma, Ellilta Products, Entoto Beth Artisan, Jeroccia Coffee, Kedemt Coffee, Natural Leather, Samore Flower, and Yobdar crafts.
For a more comprehensive understanding of the participant companies, please visit our social media channels where we feature one of the 8 companies every week!
Stay tuned for more updates!
Ethiopian Women in Coffee (WiC)/International Women’s Coffee Alliance (IWCA) Ethiopia Chapter hosted the 1st of its kind IWCA Convention 2023, October 16-22, 2023 at Skylight Hotel, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The Convention was officially opened by H.E. Dr. Ergoge Tesfaye, Minister, Ministry of Women & Social Affairs. Invited by WiC, the Executive Director of CAWEE took part at the opening of the Convention.
33 countries from all over the world are taking part at the Convention, where panel discussions, exhibition & origin trips are expected to take place.
Four CAWEE members (Dehab from Dehab Speciality Farm, Dagmawit from Kedemet Coffee, Heleanna from Moplaco & Mahalet from Jeroccia Coffee) that are also WiC members are taking part at this Convention.
At the planned Origin Trips, CAWEE’s two members, Dehab Speciality Farm & Moplaco are hosting trips to their farms, where about 15-20 international participants, in each of the farm visits, are expected to take part.
CAWEE Organized Appreciation/Networking Event
Being part of the Mesirat Project, CAWEE organized appreciation/networking event for GPMs & potential GPMs to connect them with successful women entrepreneurs to learn from their business journey, their experiences & challenges, on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, at Radisson Blu Hotel, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where 42 participants (38 women & 4 men) took part.
Participants of the event were welcomed by Dr. Nigest Haile, Executive Director of CAWEE and Mrs. Helen Mulugeta, Projects Coordinator, provided general overview on the Mesirat project. Participants of the event had the opportunity to introduce themselves, their companies & their expectations.
At the event, panel discussion was organized where, Mrs. Dagmawit Abebe, Founder of Kedemt Coffee, Mrs. Dehab Mesfin, Founder of Diamond Coffee & Dehab Honey, Mrs. Samrawit Moges, Founder of Travel Ethiopia & Samore Flower and Ms. Samrawit Tarekegn, Founder of Mogzit were panelists. The panelists shared their business journey, the challenges they faced & how they were able to overcome those challenges in providing tips and advice to participants. During the brief plenary session, participants were able to ask questions, provide their opinions and refections.
The event was concluded with a closing remark delivered by Mr. Dawit Anbesu, Mesirat Project Lead Team member, where he appreciated & congratulated CAWEE in organising such a productive networking event and encouraged the GPMs to benefit most out of such events.
CAWEE Organized Appreciation/Networking Event
Being part of the Mesirat Project, CAWEE organized appreciation/networking event for GPMs & potential GPMs to connect them with successful women entrepreneurs to learn from their business journey, their experiences & challenges, on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, at Radisson Blu Hotel, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where 42 participants (38 women & 4 men) took part.
Participants of the event were welcomed by Dr. Nigest Haile, Executive Director of CAWEE and Mrs. Helen Mulugeta, Projects Coordinator, provided general overview on the Mesirat project. Participants of the event had the opportunity to introduce themselves, their companies & their expectations.
At the event, panel discussion was organized where, Mrs. Dagmawit Abebe, Founder of Kedemt Coffee, Mrs. Dehab Mesfin, Founder of Diamond Coffee & Dehab Honey, Mrs. Samrawit Moges, Founder of Travel Ethiopia & Samore Flower and Ms. Samrawit Tarekegn, Founder of Mogzit were panelists. The panelists shared their business journey, the challenges they faced & how they were able to overcome those challenges in providing tips and advice to participants. During the brief plenary session, participants were able to ask questions, provide their opinions and refections.
The event was concluded with a closing remark delivered by Mr. Dawit Anbesu, Mesirat Project Lead Team member, where he appreciated & congratulated CAWEE in organising such a productive networking event and encouraged the GPMs to benefit most out of such events.
CAWEE wishes you all a blessed Meskel. Melkam Meskel!
CAWEE wishes you all a blessed Mawlid. Eid Mubarak!
CAWEE Took Part at UNGA Side Event in NY
The Executive Director of CAWEE Dr. Nigest Haile took part at a side event of the UN General Assembly in New York (NY), September 21, 2023, high-level call to action meeting, hosted by the Permanent Mission of Ethiopia to the United Nations, in collaboration with the UN Better Than Cash Alliance, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Generation Equality Forum, UN Capital Development Fund, Office of the UN Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development, UN Women, Women’s World Banking, Women’s Digital Financial Inclusion Advocacy Hub and the World Bank Group.
This UNGA side event discussed the theme: Reaching Financial Equality for Women: Actions to Advance the SDGs, Leveraging Digital Finance Technologies. The event was officially opened with a keynote address delivered by H.E. Mr. Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister & Foreign Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE), where he highlighted the different efforts made so far & the Government’s continued initiatives, where he mentioned the establishment of Enat Bank and its services as one core component.
The panel discussion was moderated by Dr. Ruth Groen-Goodwin, Managing Director, United Nations Better Than Cash Alliance. Panelists were: Dr. Belete Molla, Minister of Innovation & Technology of the FDRE; Ms. Paula Ingabire, Minister of Information & Communications Technology & Innovation, Rwanda; Dr. Neil Cabiles, Assistant Secretary of the Department of Finance, Republic of the Philippines; Ms. Alicia Buenrostro, Permanent Representative of Mexico to the United Nations; Dr. Raden Siliwanti, Director for Multilateral Funding, Republic of Indonesia; Professor Ratna Sahay, National Council of Applied Economic Research, India and Ms. Edem Wosornu, Director, Operations and Advocacy, UN OCHA.
The high-level call meeting highlighted core issue areas of concern to take the agenda of women’s digital financial inclusion to the next level, with commitments highlighted by the panelists. The event was closed with remarks delivered by Mary Ellen, Women’s World Banking President and CEO and H.E. Tesfaye Yilma, Permanent Representative of the FDRE to the United Nations.
CAWEE wishes you a blessed new year 2016. With gratitude for the good cooperation, we confidently start the New Year and look forward to working with you, as strong and supportive partners. Happy New Year!
Facilitating Logistics - Boosting Intra African Trade: African Women Taking the Lead
CAWEE in partnership with Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) organizes a series of breakfast meetings, where the 4th breakfast meeting took place on Saturday September 9, 2023 at Ramada Hotel, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The meeting had 4 panelist (Dagmawit Abebe, Founder & General Manager of Kedemt Coffee, Evance Rabare, Senior Program Manager at Africa 118, Tewodros Ayalew, Manager, Ecommerce Logistics Services at Ethiopian Airlines & Yontan Shiferaw, Head, Logistics & Transportation at Ethio-post), moderated by CAWEE’s Executive Director Dr. Nigest Haile.
Present at the meeting were CAWEE members, representatives fromGIZ AU AfCFTA office, Hibret Bank, UNCDF, Itochu Corporation Ethiopia Office, Ethiopian Airlines and virtual participants from 8 African countries (Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe)where 39 participants (7 men and 32 women) took part.The breakfast meeting focused on discussing the theme “Facilitating Logistics- Boosting Intra African Trade: African Women’s Taking the Lead”. Mr. Lukas Kupfernagel, Country Director, KAS Office Ethiopia/AU delivered his welcoming remarks to participants. Panelists discussed their respective organizations preparations and readiness in facilitating intra-African trade, where CAWEE demonstrated its coming soon Abyssinia E-commerce platform (https://abyssinia4intraafricantrade.com/).
Present at the meeting were CAWEE members, representatives fromGIZ AU AfCFTA office, Hibret Bank, UNCDF, Itochu Corporation Ethiopia Office, Ethiopian Airlines and virtual participants from 8 African countries (Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe)where 39 participants (7 men and 32 women) took part.
AWE 3rd Cohort Experience Sharing Event
CAWEE organised the 3rd experience sharing event for the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) program on September 1, 2023, at Radisson Blu Hotel, Addis Ababa. The AWE program is financially and technically supported by the Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs of the US Department of State and the US Embassy Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
During this event, 47 participants (44 women and 3 men) took part. At this event, present from the US Embassy were: Mr. Stewart Davis, Cultural Affairs Officer, Jennifer Barstad, Cultural Affairs Officer & Mrs. Mihret Wube, Emerging Voices Coordinator, responsible for the AWE program.
At this event, a mini-exhibition was organized. where some of the AWE graduates were able to showcase their sample products and services. During the visit of the sample products, the Team from the US Embassy provided valuable advice and guidance to the exhibitors on how best they need to work in penetrating markets.
During the event, panel discussion was organised where Dagmawit Abebe from Kedemt Coffee, Dr. Bethel Dereje from Wecare Digital Health, Nejat Ahmed from Qela Coffee and Dr. Blen Fekade from Lifeline Addis, all of them AWE training graduates, were speakers, they shared their amazing business journey, how they benefited from the AWE program and recommended areas of capacity building where CAWEE can be of continued help.
The event was concluded with a closing remark delivered by Mr. Stewart Davis, where he appreciated and encouraged each and every once that were AWE graduates.
