Ethiopia Marks the UN’s 80th Anniversary with a series of events that brought together UN staff, government representatives, diplomats, development partners, the African Union, youth, and other stakeholders.As one of the founding members of the United Nations, Ethiopia signed the UN Charter in 1945 and has since played a significant role in shaping multilateral cooperation.Held at the historic Africa Hall under the theme “Ethiopia and the United Nations: Past, Present and Future,” the commemoration served as a platform to reflect on eight decades of partnership and to strengthen dialogue on future collaboration to address current and emerging global and national challenges. “This celebration represents both a moment of reflection and renewal,” said Mr. Claver Gatete, Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). Highlighting the historic significance of the venue, he referred to Africa Hall as “the home of African multilateralism” and the proud seat of ECA for over sixty years. The programme featured a flag-raising ceremony, a high-level panel discussion, and the launch of a timeline exhibition titled “Ethiopia and the UN Through the Decades.”Speaking at the event, Ambassador Berhanu Tsegaye, State Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, reaffirmed Ethiopia’s enduring role as a founding member of the UN and its strong support for a multilateral system anchored in the UN Charter.“Eighty years of the UN is a milestone, but it is also a mandate to do better — with equity, reform, and respect for sovereignty,” he said, calling for stronger efforts toward peace, development, and justice in a rapidly changing world.The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, emphasized the close partnership between the AU and the UN, describing them as sister institutions united by shared values and commitments to Agenda 2063 and Agenda 2030. He called for collective action to confront escalating global challenges. During a high-level panel that convened representatives from the UN, Government, African Union, development partners, and youth, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (a.i.), Dr. Aboubacar Kampo, emphasized Ethiopia’s leadership role in the UN’s history.“As one of the founding members of the United Nations, Ethiopia’s voice helped shape the principles of peace, cooperation, and human dignity that remain at the core of the UN Charter.”He underscored that while the world faces complex challenges — from climate change to inequality and conflict — it is also a moment of opportunity to reimagine collective action. He reaffirmed the UN Country Team’s commitment to supporting Ethiopia through the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2025–2030).Participants highlighted the importance of deepening cooperation to advance peace, sustainable development, and intergenerational justice. The Timeline Exhibition chronicled key milestones in the UN-Ethiopia partnership — a journey marked by solidarity, progress, and shared aspirations since 1945.The commemoration also provided a platform for Ethiopian university students to showcase innovative SDG-focused solutions and for young people to perform peace-themed songs and share messages affirming the continued relevance of the United Nations for all — everywhere and everyone.

When Amin Abdiweli Ibrahim, graduated with a degree in Chemical Engineering from Addis Ababa Science and Technology University in 2022, he had more than a diploma—he had a vision. Passionate about creating something of his own, Amin returned to his hometown of Jigjiga in Ethiopia’s Somali Region and teamed up with two fellow graduates from Jigjiga University to start a small-scale shampoo and detergent business.With only a modest shade for a workshop and support from their families, they launched Siraaj Shampo and Detergents, determined to turn their skills into sustainable income. But while the team had technical knowledge and ambition, they lacked the business and financial know-how to scale their operation.That’s when the Business Plan Competition (BPC) became a game-changer. Organized by the ILO and HASI Consulting, it is a platform for aspiring youth entrepreneurs to develop business ideas that can be transformed into sustainable businessesAmin and his partners joined BPC, immersing themselves in the training sessions offered: Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB), Gender and Entrepreneurship Together (GET Ahead) and Financial Education. These sessions weren’t just theoretical - they were practical lessons in building a sustainable business.The BPC was not just a competition. It was an empowerment program that gave us the tools to grow, and the belief that we could do itBeyond the training, the mentorship from the Business Development Service Providers Association (BDSPA) helped them refine their business plan and develop confidence in financial management—skills they’d never formally learned before.Amin and his colleagues were among the 50 candidates to successfully win the BPC. The grant prize from the BPC provided allowed them to invest in essential equipment like additional reservoirs and office furniture, as well as raw materials. Armed with their new knowledge, Amin and his team prepared a compelling loan proposal. Their efforts paid off. Shabelle Bank approved a loan of USD 8,000, giving them the capital needed to expand operations."The training we received on business proposal preparation through the BPC was instrumental in securing the loan from Shabelle Bank. It gave us the knowledge to present our vision in a way that financial institutions could understand and trust", said Amin.With the funding, Siraaj Shampoo and Detergents constructed a new production facility, acquired modern machinery, and increased their raw material stock. As a result, monthly production skyrocketed from 3,000 to 12,500 litres—a fourfold increase. The business now supplies products across the Somali Region, bringing them closer to their dream of becoming a household name.Now a confident entrepreneur and employer, Amin is urging others to follow in his footsteps."I encourage young people to focus on becoming employers rather than employees. It's one of the most effective ways to transform their lives."Written by: Zelalem Alemenew Desta

Through targeted training and mentorship, the programme has seen remarkable success, 70% of its trainees have been promoted. By building confidence of women workers, improving kills, and opening doors to new opportunities, the initiative is not only advancing careers but also reshaping the future of workplace equality in the industry. Hawassa, Ethiopia (ILO News) – A growing number of women in Ethiopia’s garment sector are moving from operational roles to leadership positions, thanks to ILO/IFC Better Work’s Women Leadership Development Programme (WLDP). Since its launch in 2021, the programme has trained over 234 women, with an average of 70% promoted to supervisory roles, a milestone that marks significant progress in promoting workplace equality and inclusive industrial growth. In addition, our of 178 senior supervisors who served as mentors, 10 were promoted to middle-level leadership positions.The programme’s holistic approach, combining classroom learning, practical exercises, and sustained mentorship, is helping women workers move from factory floor roles to leadership positions across Ethiopia’s industrial parks. Participating factories have seen improved line efficiency, higher product quality, and absenteeism, while women workers have developed critical skills in decision-making, conflict resolution, communication, influencing, problem solving skills and planning skills.At JP Garment, Azeb Abraham, an Industrial Engineering Executive, described how the programme accelerated her professional growth:“Before the training, I struggled with communication and lacked self-confidence. After completing the ILO’s Leadership and Technical Skills training, I now take the lead, communicate clearly, and lead my team with confidence,” said Azeb. “As a mentor, I coached three women workers, and one of them was promoted from jumper to line supervisor, an achievement that improved her career and salary. This training doesn't just change your work life; it transforms your personal life too.”Since its launch in 2021, the programme has trained over 234 women, with an average of 70% promoted to supervisory rolesAt Indochine Garment, Mekdes Alamu shared a similar experience:“The Leadership and Technical Skills training helped me sharpen my production skills, minimize product waste, improve my punctuality, and operate multiple machines,” said Mekdes. “It’s not just about technical growth, the training improved my communication skills, teamwork, and confidence. I hope more workers get this opportunity.”In addition to trained women workers, mentors are central to the success of WLDP. Firew Eshetu, an IE Executive at Indochine Garment, reflected on his experience coaching women workers:“Before the training, I viewed my job simply as a means of income. But through the ILO’s training, I discovered my ability to lead and support others, enhanced my communication, time management, and problem-solving skills. said Firew. “Mentoring helped me grow personally and professionally. I believe expanding this training would significantly boost productivity and employee’s satisfaction.”Coordinating the programme’s fourth round at Indochine Garment, Health and Safety Executive Aster Kebede noted the wide-ranging impact:“The training and mentorship approach empowered participants to grow in their careers and personal development”, said Aster. “It’s a rewarding experience to see mentees progress, and coordinating the programme helped identify my own areas for improvement and strengthen my skills.”A Pipeline for Inclusive LeadershipThe WLDP was launched as a flagship component of the ILO’s Better Work Ethiopia programme, which promoted better jobs and more equitable workplaces in Ethiopia’s industrial parks and concluded in May 2025. In addition to training women workers, the initiative builds factory-level coaching and mentorship by training mentors, often senior supervisors and HR professionals, who provide ongoing guidance and foster a culture of inclusive leadership.Building on this momentum, the Programme is now preparing to launch a Women Leaders Network in Hawassa and Addis Ababa. The network will connect graduates of the WLDP across Hawassa and Bole Lemi Industrial Parks in both cities, creating a dynamic platform to: foster mentorship and peer learning; elevate the visibility of women leaders; promote collaboration across factories and support women’s career advancement and leadership growth. This exciting initiative marks another significant step toward empowering women and strengthening inclusive leadership across Ethiopia’s industrial landscape.The programme’s reach is also expanding beyond the garment sector. It has recently extended into horticulture and partnered with the Ministry of Industry to roll out similar Women Leadership Development Programme in eight additional enterprises, seven of which are women-owned. This expansion highlights the programme’s adaptability and relevance across Ethiopia’s broader industrial development.Measurable Impact, Growing Demand“The impact of the WLDP is both measurable and deeply personal,” said Tigist Fisseha, Team Leader, ILO Better Work Ethiopia. We are not only increasing productivity on the factory floor but helping women unlock their full leadership potential—transforming lives, workplaces, and communities.As the fifth round of training unfolds, and with preparations for the Women Leaders Network underway, the WLDP continues to demonstrate how targeted skills development, mentorship, and inclusive practices can empower women and accelerate Ethiopia’s industrial transformation—one leader at a time.The programme promoted better jobs and more equitable workplaces in Ethiopia’s industrial parks About the Programme: The ILO’s Better Work program in Ethiopia aims to improve labour standards and competitiveness in the garment and textile industry. Launched in partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), it supports factory compliance with labour laws and international labour standards. The program provides training and advisory services to employers and workers. It also fosters dialogue among stakeholders, including government, employers, and trade unions. Ultimately, it seeks to promote decent work and sustainable economic growth in Ethiopia’s growing industrial sector.

The Ministry of Labour and Skills (MoLS), in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO) under the Better Regional Migration Management (BRMM) Programme, launched the LeMengede (ለመንገዴ) mobile application at an event held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Addis Ababa. The app is designed to provide Ethiopian migrant workers with access to essential information and support services throughout the migration process.The launch was attended by representatives from government institutions, social partners, international organizations, diplomatic missions, civil society groups, and returnee migrants. The discussions highlighted ongoing efforts to improve protection for Ethiopian migrant domestic workers, with a particular focus on addressing challenges faced by women working in less regulated sectors abroad.The LeMengede app, developed with technical support from the ILO and funding from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), offers multilingual information on safe migration, rights awareness, complaint-handling mechanisms, and an emergency SOS feature. It serves as a practical digital companion for migrant workers, before departure, while abroad, and upon return.The launch was inaugurated by Mr. Khumbula Ndaba, ILO Country Director for Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan, and South Sudan, and H.E. Ms. Nebiha Mohammed, State Minister, Ministry of Labour and Skills. In his keynote address, Mr. Ndaba highlighted the ILO’s longstanding commitment to promoting decent work for all, particularly in migration corridors where risks are most pronounced. He reaffirmed the ILO’s support to the Government of Ethiopia in strengthening fair recruitment, data-driven migration governance, and the integration of digital tools such as LeMengede into national systems.H.E. Ms. Nebiha Mohammed emphasized the government’s dedication to addressing the root causes of irregular migration and enhancing protection mechanisms for migrant workers. She commended the collaboration with ILO and other stakeholders in developing the app, which she described as a “critical leap forward in bridging information gaps and reinforcing worker protections.”Following the opening, a short video demo and live walk-through of the app showcased its core features, from SOS alerts to QR-code-based user identification. MoLS representatives provided insight into how the app links to the broader Labour Market Information System (E-LMIS) and supports the country’s overseas employment governance.A technical presentation by the ILO highlighted Ethiopia’s progress under the BRMM programme, including reforms in recruitment practices, capacity building, and the digitization of labour migration data systems.The highlight of the event was a panel discussion that brought together perspectives from government institutions, the private sector, and returnee migrants. The discussion focused on how digital tools like the LeMengede app can improve migration governance, promote transparency in the recruitment process, and strengthen protection mechanisms for migrant workers. Panellists discussed the importance of integrating such tools into pre-departure training, ensuring alignment with fair recruitment standards, and drawing from regional experiences to enhance coordination. The session also highlighted the value of practical, accessible information for migrants and the need for continued collaboration to make digital solutions more responsive to the realities faced by workers, both before departure and while abroad.The event concluded with a call for continued collaboration among stakeholders to expand awareness and ensure the LeMengede app is effectively integrated into Ethiopia’s broader migration governance framework. Participants emphasized the need to strengthen outreach efforts and encouraged institutions to actively promote the app within their respective communities so it can reach and serve the migrant workers who need it most.Written by: Yonas Zewdie