The Ethiopian Ministry of Labor and Skills (MoLS) has extended its innovation partnership with the Global Innovation Initiative Group (GIIG). This collaboration, following the success of the Global Startup Awards Africa Finale in 2023, aims to support Ethiopia as a rising Startup Nation. The strategic alliance involves key entities such as the Ministry of Innovation and Technology (MInT) and the Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI).
The partnership will focus on implementing Ethiopia’s strategic innovation goals, fostering local innovation economies, transferring future-fit skills, and inspiring globally competitive businesses. H.E. Muferihat Kamil, Minister of Labor and Skills, highlighted the importance of building a vibrant startup ecosystem in Ethiopia and positioning the nation as a key startup hub in Africa.
The 2024 Global Startup Awards Africa has been officially opened as part of this collaboration. The competition encourages African startups to apply, offering global visibility and investment opportunities through the GIIG Africa Fund. Emphasizing solutions aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the competition seeks to address critical issues such as climate change.
Entries for the 2024 GSA Africa edition are open to startups focusing on SDG-aligned solutions in agriculture, climate, commerce, healthcare, mobility, logistics, women in tech, and youth. The competition aims to showcase talent from all 54 African countries and supports the continent’s innovation ecosystem. Winners will progress through national and regional levels before participating in the GSA Africa Summit in Addis Ababa in October 2024.
The strategic partnership with GIIG, MoLS, MInT, and EDI aims to accelerate Ethiopia’s startup ecosystem, placing it at the forefront of the nation’s agenda. The collaboration seeks to create a community of disruptors ready to make an impact on the global startup ecosystem and provide a platform for innovators to connect, collaborate, and celebrate Africa’s most innovative minds.
