Ethiopia’s Youth-Led Revolution: Zelela11 Sets the Stage for Institutional Change
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – In a groundbreaking event that marked a significant milestone in Ethiopia’s entrepreneurial landscape, the Ethiopian Youth Entrepreneurs Association (EYEA) in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, hosted Zelela11, a landmark gathering that brought together young innovators, industry leaders, and key stakeholders to advocate for the systematic integration of youth-driven solutions into the country’s economic framework.
Held at The Skylight Hotel on October 8, Zelela11 embodied a movement towards embedding youth perspectives and innovations into the very fabric of Ethiopia’s institutions. The event highlighted the critical need to transition from isolated youth projects to sustainable, youth-driven systems that can effect lasting change.
A Call to Action: Institutionalizing Youth-Led Initiatives
Dr. Fekadu Mulugeta, Head of the Workforce Development Country Office at the Mastercard Foundation, emphasized the importance of institutionalizing youth-driven solutions, stating, "Our partnership with EYEA aligns with our Young Africa Works strategy. We believe that when young people lead, they create innovative, youth-driven solutions that contribute to sustainable economic progress and job creation. It’s time to institutionalize these solutions."
EYEA’s 2027 Strategy: A Roadmap for Institutional Adoption
Central to Zelela11 was the launch of EYEA’s 2027 Strategy, a comprehensive roadmap developed with support from the Mastercard Foundation. This strategy aims to create systemic changes that will enable young people’s ideas and initiatives to be integrated into existing economic and governmental structures.
Ms. Samiya A. Godu, President of EYEA, underscored the strategy’s significance, stating, "This strategy represents more than a collective vision; it’s a practical framework for institutions to embed youth perspectives. We’re not just laying the foundation for youth-driven economic growth; we’re providing a blueprint for institutions to evolve with the dynamic needs of our young population."
Empowering Young Entrepreneurs: The Telebirr Partnership
The announcement of the partnership between EYEA and Ethiotelecom’s Telebirr platform was a concrete example of institutionalizing youth-focused solutions. This collaboration demonstrated how established institutions can adapt to support youth-driven financial inclusion initiatives through the integration launched at the event—the membership registration for entrepreneurs and fundraising mini-app within the Telebirr super-app.
Biruk Adane, Chief of Mobile Money at Telebirr, described the partnership’s impact, stating, "This integration is a model for how institutions can adapt to youth needs. We’re not just providing a service but reshaping our institutional approach to empower young entrepreneurs."
A Collective Commitment to Institutional Change
Zelela11 concluded with a resounding call to action for all stakeholders – government bodies, private sector entities, and civil society organizations – to commit to institutionalizing youth-led initiatives. The event demonstrated that Ethiopia’s youth are not just ready to contribute but are actively providing the blueprints for how their ideas can be integrated into the nation’s institutional framework.
Through initiatives like EYEA’s 2027 Strategy, transformative partnerships, and a unified commitment to institutional change, Zelela11 set the stage for a future where youth-led solutions are not external to Ethiopia’s economic and social institutions but an integral part. The message was clear: the time for institutionalizing youth-driven change is now, and it’s a collective responsibility to ensure this vision becomes a reality.
About the Partnership
The one-year partnership between the Mastercard Foundation and the Ethiopian Youth Entrepreneurs Association was announced in November 2023. Read more on the partnership here.
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