Reflection on the Ethiopian Women in Agribusiness Forum
The Ethiopian Women in Agribusiness Forum, organized by AGRA and held in Addis Ababa, marked a significant milestone in empowering women in the agricultural sector. Focused on driving economic empowerment, job creation, and inclusive growth in Ethiopia's agri-food sector. The event also highlighted AGRA’s latest initiative under the Value4Her platform, launched in collaboration with Precise Consult International PLC and the African Management Institute, aimed at further empowering women in agribusiness.
One of our colleagues, Heran, represented Oxano Capital at the forum and had the opportunity to connect with women entrepreneurs who play a vital role in the agricultural value chain.
A distinctive aspect of the event was the group discussions held among participants. These conversations focused on critical challenges, including access to finance, exploring market opportunities, and policy and advocacy . Below are the key takeaways from these discussions.
Access to Finance: Participants identified key barriers to women's access to finance, including lack of collateral, complex loan processes, and gender bias within financial institutions. Cultural norms and reluctance to use shared property as collateral further complicate these issues. However, there are significant opportunities for improvement through policy changes and advocacy. By leveraging the vital role of women's associations and collaborating with financial institutions, there is potential to develop specialized financial products and transparent lending processes tailored to women in agri processing sector.
Access to Market: During the access to market discussion, women identified challenges such as fragmented supply chains, middlemen controlling market structures, and insufficient knowledge about market opportunities. Additional barriers included price fluctuations, limited access to technology, and gender bias, compounded by infrastructure challenges and high input costs. Participants stressed the need for technical support and capacity building, advocating for shorter and more efficient market processes. They called for increased transparency, cooperative models, and skill enhancement training to better equip women to navigate these market challenges effectively.
Policy and Advocacy: The policy discussion highlighted the urgent need for government policies to address gender-specific barriers in agribusiness. While some policies exist, their ineffective enforcement and cultural norms hinder implementation. Participants called for more inclusive legal frameworks, public awareness campaigns, and accessible training resources for women. They advocated for policies promoting local production, empowering women to inherit property and receive necessary support and affirmative action. Engaging women from the community in policymaking and implementation processes was emphasized as crucial for achieving lasting impact.
Looking ahead, Oxano Capital believes that the agri-processing sector plays a vital role in fostering inclusive economic growth, creating job opportunities, and empowering women. If you are involved in the agri-processing sector in East Africa and are eager to make a difference, we invite you to contact us.