The Global Innovation Initiative Group (GIIG), an initiative dedicated to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship across the continent, announces the inaugural Ethiopian Startup Awards – a Global Startup Awards Africa event coming to Addis Ababa on June 3rd and 4th, 2024.
The two-day event, hosted by GIIG, Ministry of Labor and Skills (MOLS), Ministry of Innovation and Technology (MINT), and Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI), promises an immersive experience celebrating the vibrant startup culture of Ethiopia and providing a platform for cross-vertical collaboration. Attendees can expect a series of workshops, training sessions facilitated by industry specialists, pitching opportunities, networking and an awards show announcing the Ethiopian finalists.
This year’s competition received an overwhelming response of 11,900 entries from 54 African countries with 24% of the Eastern region entries originating from Ethiopia. The entries spanning Sustainable Development Goals-aligned categories, including Agritech, Youth, Fintech, Green Tech, Women Empowerment, Health Tech, and Mobility, signify the remarkable growth and trajectory of Ethiopia’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
As one of 120 countries participating in the Global Startup Awards program, Ethiopia, as the host nation for Africa, is gaining significant visibility and recognition on a global scale as a developing startup nation.
Ms Muferihat Kamil Ahmed, Minister of Labor and Skills, emphasized the significance of Ethiopia’s role as the host nation for this landmark event, stating, “Ethiopia’s selection as the host nation for the 2024 GSA Africa Awards holds immense significance and is already contributing significantly to the country’s growing reputation as a center for tech innovation. The focus on youth entrepreneurship through the Youth category is a unique aspect that highlights Ethiopia’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of innovators and job creators and I look forward to celebrating their successes.”
The festivities will start with an awards ceremony on June 3rd at the Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI), honouring the top Ethiopian startups that have progressed through the competition to become regional finalists.
Global Innovation Initiative Group is engaged in enabling African tech entrepreneurs to thrive in businesses that pioneer global solutions that meet the most pressing challenges of the time.