Ethiopia: Strengthening Rural Value Chains

Ethiopia’s horticulture and oilseed sector is among the country’s most important growth drivers. However, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which account for the majority of value creation, face significant structural challenges. A new initiative by sequa and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) addresses these challenges by supporting companies and associations in strengthening their export potential and gaining long-term access to international markets.

The project focuses on strengthening local associations in governance, organisational development, and service design to enhance the competitiveness of at least 50 SMEs. It also prepares fruit and vegetable SMEs for EU market entry through the “Export Market Access” programme, which offers trainings, market analyses, delegation trips, and B2B matchmaking. In addition, a flexible SME Support Scheme provides selected agri-SMEs with coaching, investments, and training on ESG standards, quality management, and digital financing, while strengthening linkages with smallholder producers to improve production, post-harvest processes, and overall export readiness.

Over the next 18 months, sequa will thus leverage many of its core competencies, including working with business associations, promoting SMEs, and supporting trade development along value chains.