Ethiopian Youth Entrepreneurs Association

The Entrepreneurship World Cup 2026 is officially underway, solidifying its place as one of the largest and most inclusive startup pitch competitions across the globe. ​Participating in this competition offers foundational benefits that stretch far beyond the massive $1M equity-free prize pool. For founders, the true value lies in the rapid acceleration of their business readiness. Stepping up to pitch forces teams to stress-test their value propositions and receive direct feedback from world-class judges, which is crucial for refining their growth strategy and scaling effectively. ​To see exactly how the competition unfolds, from the initial virtual stages to the live global finals in Riyadh, check out the full visual breakdown of key milestones in the attached photo. ​Head over to the official Entrepreneurship World Cup portal today, submit your application, and kickstart your journey toward life-changing growth and capital! ​Apply here: https://entrepreneurshipworldcup.com/apply-form/?utm_source=EYEA ​Follow us on your favorite platform: https://linktr.ee/eyea.et

IT'S HAPPENING! Ethiopia is launching its first-ever Capital Market Investor Day Expo, and we are inviting all our members to be part of it. This exclusive event will give you the chance to directly engage with major capital market players like the Ethiopian Capital Markets Authority and the Ethiopian Securities Exchange (ESX). The event is designed for immediate, practical action. Instead of just learning about the market, you can actually kickstart your journey by opening an investment account right on the spot. In addition to that, there is an exclusive opportunity for a direct individual session with the Director General for high-impact engagement on a first-come, first-served basis. Entry is completely free, and we strongly encourage our members to take advantage of this historic milestone. 🗓 : June 19 & 20 📍 : Addis Ababa Culture and Fine Arts Bureau Compound (near Flamingo Restaurant) Secure your free entry now via this link: https://forms.office.com/r/RTvzCL0uiv Follow us on your favourite platform: https://linktr.ee/eyea.et

IT'S HAPPENING! Ethiopia is launching its first-ever Capital Market Investor Day Expo, and we are inviting all our members to be part of it. This exclusive event will give you the chance to directly engage with major capital market players like the Ethiopian Capital Markets Authority and the Ethiopian Securities Exchange (ESX). The event is designed for immediate, practical action. Instead of just learning about the market, you can actually kickstart your journey by opening an investment account right on the spot. In addition to that, there is an exclusive opportunity for a direct individual session with the Director General for high-impact engagement on a first-come, first-served basis. Entry is completely free, and we strongly encourage our members to take advantage of this historic milestone. 🗓 : June 19 & 20 📍 : Addis Ababa Culture and Fine Arts Bureau Compound (near Flamingo Restaurant) Secure your free entry now via this link: https://forms.office.com/r/RTvzCL0uiv Follow us on your favourite platform: https://linktr.ee/eyea.et

Application deadline is now extended to August 31st! The application deadline for the Entrepreneurship World Cup has officially been extended to August 31st. This extension gives you the perfect window to fine-tune your pitch and secure your spot in one of the world's most impactful startup competitions. EWC is coming to you with $1M in equity-free cash prizes, mentorship from global leaders, investor access, and a path to scale in Saudi Arabia and the MENA region. ​Alongside the cash prizes, the top 100 finalists will receive world-class mentorship, direct networking opportunities with venture capitalists, and strategic support to help scale operations into fast-growing international markets. ​Do not let this extra time slip away. Head over to the official application portal, submit your details before the new deadline, and lock in your chance at the 1 million dollar prize pool. ​Apply here: https://entrepreneurshipworldcup.com/apply-form/?utm_source=EYEA ​Follow us on your favourite platform: https://linktr.ee/eyea.et

Yesterday, the African Development Impact Forum at the UNECA hosted a vital, paradigm-shifting conversation centered on the theme, "𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘏𝘪𝘨𝘩-𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘵𝘩 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘩 𝘌𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘑𝘰𝘣𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘈𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢." Representing our association on the distinguished panel, our President, Samiya Abdulkadir, joined fellow guests to interrogate whether entrepreneurship is truly a reasonable pathway to creating jobs for Africa's youth, or if it must be reimagined as something far broader than mere employment. During the panel, she directly engaged with an active audience to address participant questions regarding proven models to solve high-growth bottlenecks, specifically outlining how to pilot actionable ecosystem solutions over the next 12 months. Grounded in our six years of ecosystem building, from the impact of our KENA and Zelela initiatives to mobilizing over 20,000 entrepreneurs, she presented our clear framework for what African youth actually need: moving away from fragmented donor projects and repetitive assessments toward a coordinated, collaborative ecosystem backed by real investment capital. She also detailed a concrete pilot roadmap for the coming year, mapping out the precise commitments required from key strategic partners to drive real business growth. In this model, the ECA will convene pilot countries and establish an accountability framework for ecosystem coordination, while the AfDB deploys its Enable Youth capital directly into investment-ready, EYEA-affiliated enterprises. Simultaneously, Afreximbank will open a dedicated trade finance window for growth-stage, youth-owned businesses across the pilot countries, leaving us to lead the central coordination, replication design, and the upcoming ADIF 2027 impact report. ​We want to thank UNECA for organizing such panels that shift the dialogue from mere discussion to tangible and systemic action. (𝘗𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘵: 𝘜𝘕𝘌𝘊𝘈) Follow us on your favourite platform: https://linktr.ee/eyea.et

𝗔𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝘂𝗴𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗮'𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗲𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺! We're more than proud our partnership with DEEP Ecosystems to Strengthen Ethiopia’s Innovation Ecosystem by joining the DEEP Startup Ecosystem Accelerator (DEEPSEA) 2026 program. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in our ongoing mission to build a sustainable, innovation-driven entrepreneurship ecosystem in Ethiopia. DEEP will support our association in successfully implementing its 2027 strategy by leveraging our journey to date, portfolio, strategic pillars, and platforms KENA and ZELELA, while aligning key stakeholders for sustainable entrepreneurial growth. Through this 2-year partnership, we'll work together to: - Strengthen Ethiopia’s national startup ecosystem framework - Scale six years of entrepreneurship ecosystem-building efforts - Improve access to finance, incubation, and acceleration pathways for startups - Enhance coordination among government, private sector, universities, and development partners - Translate policy advocacy into practical ecosystem reforms We remain dedicated to providing entrepreneurs with practical, value-driven services, such as incubation, acceleration, mentorship, and investor-market linkages. This partnership reinforces our shared commitment to aligning key stakeholders and positioning our country as a leading African hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. Summing it up, we look forward to working closely with DEEP Ecosystems & the Ministry of Innovation and Technology (MinT) to turn this vision into measurable impact for startups and young entrepreneurs. Follow us on your favourite platform: https://linktr.ee/eyea.et

Inspiring visit to Luxembourg’s entrepreneurship ecosystem 🇱🇺 As part of our Benelux ecosystem engagement visit, the third country on the journey was Luxembourg. Our President, Samiya Abdulkadir, recently had the privilege of visiting Jonk Entrepreneuren Luxembourg at the House of Entrepreneurship, alongside Sven Baltes, CEO of JEL. The visit provided valuable insight into JEL’s mission of preparing young people for economic and professional life through entrepreneurship education. Through hands-on, simulation-based programs, students develop creativity, initiative, teamwork, responsibility, and problem-solving skills while experiencing the process of building and launching a venture in a practical learning environment. A key strength of JEL is its strong collaboration with businesses, educators, and volunteers who help deliver programs, mentor students, and support innovation. These partnerships play an important role in expanding opportunities for young people and strengthening the entrepreneurship ecosystem. Luxembourg’s ecosystem demonstrates how early exposure to entrepreneurship, combined with strong institutional support, can transform ideas into impactful ventures. We're excited about the potential for collaboration with JEL. By connecting ecosystems and exchanging best practices in entrepreneurship education, we aim to empower young people with the skills, mindset, and opportunities needed to build impactful ventures across borders. ​We are deeply grateful to Sven Baltes and the entire JEL team for the warm welcome and insightful discussions. This meaningful engagement was made possible through the invaluable facilitation and steadfast support of the Embassy of Ethiopia in Brussels. Exciting times ahead for youth entrepreneurship and cross-ecosystem collaboration! Follow us on your favourite platform: https://linktr.ee/eyea.et

Strengthening innovation and entrepreneurship collaboration between Ethiopia and the Netherlands 🇳🇱 ​As part of our mission across the Benelux region, we conducted a series of high-level engagements across the local innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem over the past week. ​Our president, Samiya Abdulkadir, yet again participated in meetings with Forward Inc, ScaleUpNation, and others who contribute to the entrepreneurship ecosystem across Europe. She also took part in the AI Tech & Startup Night in Amsterdam, which was an inspiring gathering of innovators, builders, and ecosystem players, offering meaningful exchange on emerging trends in AI, entrepreneurship, and technology-driven growth. ​During her meeting with Menno van Dijk, the founder of ScaleUpNation, he presented his book and led a thought-provoking discussion on the importance of shifting entrepreneurial thinking from “startup creation” to “business scaling” for sustainable impact and long-term growth. ​These engagements reinforced our strong belief in the immense potential for collaboration between Ethiopia and the Netherlands in technology, knowledge exchange, and innovation transfer. They also inspired deeper reflection on how structured models such as Orange Corners could be further adapted to strengthen Ethiopia’s entrepreneurship ecosystem. ​We extend our sincere appreciation to the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands in Ethiopia, the Embassy of Ethiopia in the Netherlands, and Orange Corners for their facilitation and support in enabling meaningful connections and engagement within the ecosystem. ​Follow us on your favorite platform: https://linktr.ee/eyea.et

እንኳን ለ1ሺህ447ኛው (አረፋ) የዒድ አል አድሃ በዓል በሰላም አደረሳችሁ:: በዓሉ የሰላም፣ የጤና እና የደስታ እንዲሆንልዎ እንመኛለን፡፡ ዒድ ሙባረክ!

Last Friday in Brussels, our president joined the Entrepreneurs’ Cocktail hosted by our partner NexGen Incubator under the theme “𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵: 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗴𝗶𝘂𝗺 𝘁𝗼 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮.” The event brought together inspiring voices such as Didier Lunguana, Dominiek Viaene, and Deputy Jaffar Jama of the Embassy of Somalia, all committed to advancing entrepreneurship, youth empowerment, and sustainable growth across Africa. A key highlight of the evening was the keynote address by the President, followed by the official signing ceremony of our partnership with NexGen Incubator. The ceremony was facilitated by the Embassy of Ethiopia in Brussels and witnessed by ambassadors, partners, and distinguished guests. While the partnership had initially been concluded virtually in March, this in-person celebration in marked an important milestone in strengthening collaboration. We were also honored to participate in discussions on innovation, entrepreneurship, and the vital role young people play in shaping Africa’s future. The dialogue further underscored the importance of building strong, mutually beneficial partnerships between Africa and the European Union, as emphasized by Tokozile Xasa, Ambassador of South Africa, and Eshete Tilahu. The evening concluded in a dynamic and inspiring atmosphere, new connections, and a shared commitment to long-term collaboration between Africa and Europe. Follow us on your favourite platform: https://linktr.ee/eyea.et

Our embassy in the Benelux region plays a pivotal role in advancing our mission through active diplomacy, innovation partnerships, and ecosystem collaboration 🇪🇹 🇧🇪 🇱🇺 🇳🇱. As part of our mission in the Benelux region, our president, Samiya Abdulkadir, held another insightful and highly constructive meeting with 𝗛.𝗘. 𝗔𝗺𝗯𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗱𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝘀𝗵𝗲𝘁𝗲 𝗧𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗵𝘂𝗻, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ethiopia to the Kingdom of Belgium, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, and the European Union Institutions. The meeting provided an important opportunity to reflect on strengthening Ethiopia’s engagement with the European innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem, with a particular focus on youth entrepreneurship, innovation partnerships, and institutional collaboration. We would like to sincerely acknowledge the ambassador for his exceptional and dedicated support throughout our engagements in the Benelux region. He has played a pivotal role behind the scenes, working closely with embassy teams and going beyond his formal responsibilities to actively facilitate meaningful connections, partnerships, and ecosystem access. He has also provided us with strong mission guidance through practical engagement, actively participating in our activities and ceremonies, delivering speeches, and engaging directly in the innovation agenda with genuine commitment and leadership. Notably, he served as a key initiator and witness to our partnership with NexGen Incubator, further demonstrating his strong commitment to advancing practical opportunities for young entrepreneurs and supporting innovation-driven collaboration. His proactive engagement, visionary leadership, and continued dedication to empowering Ethiopia’s youth entrepreneurship ecosystem are highly commendable and deeply appreciated. We extend our sincere gratitude for his guidance, trust, and unwavering support. Follow us on your favourite platform: https://linktr.ee/eyea.et