TAF (Technical assistance facility) of Ethiopia’s Innovative finance lab (IFL)
Featured Projects TAF (Technical assistance facility) of Ethiopia’s Innovative finance lab (IFL) The IFL (Innovative Finance Lab) is a collaborative initiative between The National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) and United Nations Development Program (UNDP), aimed at advancing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by promoting access to finance. A key component of the IFL, the Technical Assistance Facility (TAF), supports SMEs and startups to ensure they are investment-ready. For this program, R&D, in partnership with MDF, developed a comprehensive training curriculum, organized sessions to upskill trainers, and trained over 90 growth-oriented SMEs. The SMEs were supported in developing viable business plans and financial projections. Significant emphasis was placed on helping SMEs identify realistic investment needs based on their financial capabilities. This was achieved with the guidance of finance experts through Business Development Services. At the end of the program, all the SMEs had the opportunity to pitch their businesses to banks, with the best SMEs being awarded a $5,000 grant as bridge finance. Other Projects All Posts Featured Projects Human Capital and Corporate Social Responsibility Solutions – Sher Ethiopia – Copy HR Restructuring – Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture Development of Human Resource Guidelines for Ethiopian Industrial Parks – Ethiopian Investment Commission
Diaspora Entrepreneurship Accelerator
Featured Projects Diaspora Entrepreneurship Accelerator The diaspora community is believed to be catalyst in promoting economic development and job creation through business engagement. With this view the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has assigned R&D Group and MDF West Africa, a Dutch/Ghanaian based consulting firm, to support 20-30 potential diaspora partners that are interested in starting or expanding business activities in the Somali Regional State of Ethiopia. These entrepreneurs will be provided with an intensive incubation program where they go through modern and practical trainings business coaching and mentorship services Other Projects All Posts Entrepreneurship Programs TAF (Technical assistance facility) of Ethiopia’s Innovative finance lab (IFL) Diaspora Entrepreneurship Accelerator Digital Innovation Acceleration
Digital Innovation Acceleration
Featured Projects Digital Innovation Acceleration The Innovation Factory Digital Innovation Accelerator is a multi-stage program that includes a 6- month acceleration program and a final competition. The accelerator is funded by GIZ and is implemented by Adelphi and R&D in Ethiopia and 4 other countries (Ghana, Indonesia, Mexico, Senegal) with local partners. Accelerator participants receive a tailored support package combining peer-learning approach & capacity building support for business model refinement to become Investment ready and optimize SDG impacts and also develop a comprehensive business plan. Other Projects All Posts Entrepreneurship Programs TAF (Technical assistance facility) of Ethiopia’s Innovative finance lab (IFL) Digital Innovation Acceleration RISE Program
RISE Program
Featured Projects RISE Program The RISE program was funded by British Council Ethiopia and designed by R&D in cooperation with a Scottish social enterprise expert company, Challenges International. We worked with 20 social enterprises based in Ethiopia to become investment ready as part of a six-month project that also provided 20 young professionals with the opportunity to participate in a business analysis mentorship program. It is designed to up-skill young people while also supporting sustainable business growth in the country. As a result, we had social enterprises who scaled up to investment readiness and have completed their due diligence for investment. As for the junior associates, most of the youths were able to get employment in the enterprises and most of them pursued their own entrepreneurship route. Other Projects All Posts Entrepreneurship Programs TAF (Technical assistance facility) of Ethiopia’s Innovative finance lab (IFL) RISE Program Catalyzer and Starter support program with BIC Ethiopia
Catalyzer and Starter support program with BIC Ethiopia
Featured Projects Catalyzer and Starter support program with BIC Ethiopia The BIC Ethiopia project, funded by the European Union, is targeted at strengthening business incubators’ support for agri-tech and agri-business startups and MSMEs. The primary objective is to enhance market access, increase income, and create jobs by providing the necessary tools to develop business growth at various stages of maturity. R&D’s participation in this project is part of a capacity-building initiative targeting incubators and accelerators, aimed at helping businesses flourish. As one of the leading private sector development firms in Ethiopia, R&D was selected as one of the accelerator enterprises. As an implementer of BIC Ethiopia, R&D has conducted multiple accelerator programs designed to overcome challenges within the Ethiopian startup ecosystem, specifically targeting young entrepreneurs and agri-businesses Other Projects All Posts Entrepreneurship Programs TAF (Technical assistance facility) of Ethiopia’s Innovative finance lab (IFL) Catalyzer and Starter support program with BIC Ethiopia Resilience Business Development Services (RBDS)
Resilience Business Development Services (RBDS)
Featured Projects Resilience Business Development Services (RBDS) Since 2014, R&D in cooperation with our partner Cordaid and RBD Consultancy have successfully supported 80 local SMEs in Ethiopia through Resilience BDS program. The program is set to assist growth potential SMEs to grow to the next maturity level aiming at enabling them to utilize their imagination and creativity. The program avails and provides SMEs with the necessary drive, input and support, which cannot be achieved with few days of training. Resilience BDS is a targeted BDS for midsized businesses that intends to build their inner capabilities and work towards them becoming bankable. It is designed to strengthen SMEs capabilities through targeted Business Development Service to not only withstand financial constraints but also efficiently manage their existing resources. Other Projects All Posts Entrepreneurship Programs TAF (Technical assistance facility) of Ethiopia’s Innovative finance lab (IFL) Resilience Business Development Services (RBDS) Advancing women entrepreneurs through blended learning and business acceleration
Advancing women entrepreneurs through blended learning and business acceleration
Featured Projects Advancing women entrepreneurs through blended learning and business acceleration Through R&D’s flagship entrepreneurship support platform, ‘SHARE’, in partnership with Care Ethiopia, the “Advancing Women Enterprises” project engages 60,000 young women entrepreneurs and micro-enterprises, providing them access to relevant information and learning opportunities. Additionally, the project offers business skills and life-skills training, delivered by 25 Care Ethiopia facilitators who have been upskilled by R&D, to approximately 12,000 women youth entrepreneurs. This training covers essential aspects of entrepreneurship. Furthermore, the project will implement a three-month business development service program for 250 women led enterprises. This program will include both virtual and face-to-face components and features a mentorship scheme that connects these entrepreneurs with carefully selected and trained mentors via the SHARE platform. Other Projects All Posts Entrepreneurship Programs TAF (Technical assistance facility) of Ethiopia’s Innovative finance lab (IFL) Advancing women entrepreneurs through blended learning and business acceleration Agri-business development support
Agri-business development support
Featured Projects Agri-Business Development Support As part of the Ethio-German Sustainable Training and Education Programme (STEP), which is commissioned by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), co-funded by the European Union (EU), and executed by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, the project encompasses a variety of activities including, Delivering entrepreneurship training to 250 university and TVET students and together with Growthafrica (GrowthAfrica – Accelerates high potential entrepreneurs in Africa), Providing incubation support to 20 selected beneficiaries to refine their business ideas in preparation for the National Agro-Business Ideas Competition (ABIC 2023). Additionally, the R&D group, has led the organizing the National Agro Business Ideas Competition (ABIC 2023), whereby participants and winners of the competition are rewarded with initial investment and scale up opportunities. Moreover, the project offers tailored business development services and green entrepreneurship acceleration specifically for selected women entrepreneurs. This includes support for women-led MSMEs in collaboration with implementing partners, facilitating exchanges, and linking with Integrated Agro-Industrial Parks (IAIPs) and other relevant partners to promote green entrepreneurship and sustainable business practices. Other Projects All Posts Entrepreneurship Programs TAF (Technical assistance facility) of Ethiopia’s Innovative finance lab (IFL) Agri-business development support Capacity building of more than 50,000 people
Capacity building of more than 50,000 people
Featured Projects Capacity building of more than 50,000 people R&D’s Training academy is renowned for its innovative and standardized training programs. As one of the first organizations in the country to achieve international certification as a training provider, R&D is committed to advancing the skills and capacities of employees across various industries. Our training programs are designed with adult learning principles in mind, ensuring maximum effectiveness and impact. By focusing on practical application and experiential learning, we empower individuals to develop the skills they need to succeed in today’s competitive landscape. Over the past decade, R&D has delivered custom-made in-company training to a diverse range of organizations, from small and medium-sized enterprises to multinational corporations. Our comprehensive training offerings cover a wide range of soft skills, including Leadership capacity building, HR management, financial management, personal productivity, marketing, governance, and executive coaching. With 70 specialized modules to choose from, we can tailor our training programs to meet the unique needs of each organization. Our expertise extends across various sectors, including manufacturing, banking, financial services, NGOs, government organizations, and retail. R&D’s leadership development and capacity-building initiatives have made a significant impact on organizations in Ethiopia and the Netherlands. Our esteemed clients include multinational corporations, and non-governmental organizations such as Ortec, sher Ethiopia, Heineken breweries sc, Unilever, east Africa bottling, Total, Hawassa and adama industrial park resident corporations, Ethiopian pharmaceutical supply agency, Japan tobacco institute (JTI), Ethiopian national bank and leadership team of multiple small and medium enterprises, reaching more than 50,000 people through our academy. Other Projects All Posts Featured Projects HR Restructuring – Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture Development of Human Resource Guidelines for Ethiopian Industrial Parks – Ethiopian Investment Commission