Getahun Fenta Kebede’s research while affiliated with Addis Ababa University and other places

Integrating climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and social protection is crucial for enhancing resilience in vulnerable communities. This study aims to assess the level of integration among these three approaches in the Somali Region, Ethiopia. A qualitative methodology, involving a meta-analysis of 122 projects and program documents was conducted to evaluate the integration levels of the approaches. Key informant interviews and focus group discussions were also used to gather qualitative insights from stakeholders. The findings reveal that the integration of the three approaches , in the form of adaptive social protection, is limited. While social protection and disaster risk reduction are combined more effectively, the inclusion of climate change adaptation remains insufficient. Duplication of activities is common in programs and projects, wasting resources. The study recommends implementing an adaptive social protection approach with clear institutional arrangements and stakeholder coordination to enhance resilience and resource efficiency.

In Ethiopia, where multiple ethnic groups integrate and live together, there are several material traditions, arts, and handcrafts to facilitate the day-to-day activities of the people. Besides reflecting culture, handicrafts are important sources of income and livelihood for the local community, particularly in rural areas. Based on a mixed research approach that employed document reviews, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and a structured survey, this chapter analyzes the practices, challenges, and prospects of the indigenous handicraft and artwork enterprise sector in Ethiopia by taking the case of potters and weavers. The findings reveal that handcraft enterprises in Ethiopia are micro-scale, individual, and family-based units with limited or no partnerships or joint ventures. The study identified many challenges that constrain the performance of indigenous handcraft entrepreneurship, such as the influx of imported, cheaply manufactured products, poor access to finance, a lack of working space, a lack of interest among the youth, and a lack of institutional support. The study identified the tourism sector as having a good prospect for the growth of indigenous entrepreneurship and highlights the need to formulate policies and programs that aim at improving the performance of indigenous handicraft entrepreneurship by both state and non-state actors.

Ethiopia is urbanizing rapidly and migration is the major factor in the urbanization process. Migration is selective and rural youth are more likely to migrate to cities than others. However, the capacity of cities to accommodate migrants by providing formal employment is limited. Consequently, migrants remain without access to employment opportunities. The majority are pushed into self-employment in the informal sector. Despite such challenges, harnessing the benefits of the youth bulge and promoting inclusive development through entrepreneurship programs has become a priority area since 1990s. Although progresses have been made, entrepreneurship programs are unable to reach the unemployed youth and those engaged in informal sector. The objective of this paper is to explore barriers that hinder the youth to join entrepreneurship programs. The study followed qualitative approach. Data were collected through key informant interviews and focus group discussions from four cities-Addis Ababa, Adama, Bahir Dar and Hawassa. The findings show that politicization of entrepreneurship; lack of understanding the needs of the youth, weak institutional systems, low levels of service capacity and inefficiency and lack of entrepreneurship education and youth negligence hinder the success of entrepreneurship programs thereby attaining inclusive development. Entrepreneurship programs thus need to follow flexible and participatory approach. Programs need to be selective in the type of entrepreneurial initiatives and supports that can address the needs and priorities of the youth. Providing youth with entrepreneurial education has a positive effect on their decision to be engaged in entrepreneurial activities. The government needs to minimize its political intervention in entrepreneurship programs.

Ethiopia is one of the rapidly urbanizing countries in Africa and rural-urban migration is the major factor in the urbanization process. Migration is selective and rural youth are more likely to migrate to cities than others. However, the capacity of cities to accommodate the massive influx of migrants by providing formal employment is limited. Consequently, migrants remain marginalized and without access to employment opportunities. The majority are pushed into self-employment in the informal sector with few entrepreneurial skills and no access to affordable finance. Besides, though Ethiopia has shown economic growth, the challenges posed by a fast-growing young population has increased urban inequality, making the youth vulnerable. Despite such challenges, harnessing the benefits of the youth bulge and promoting inclusive development through the promotion of entrepreneurship has become a priority area since 1990s. Although improvements have been made, entrepreneurship programs are unable to reach the unemployed youth and those engaged in informal sector. The objective of this paper is to explore barriers that hinder the youth to formalize informal businesses and to start new businesses. The study followed a qualitative approach. Data were collected through key informant interviews and focus group discussions from four cities-Addis Ababa, Adama, Bahir Dar and Hawassa. The findings show that several bottlenecks including politicization of entrepreneurship, lack of understanding of the nature and demands of the youth; weak instructional systems; low levels of service capacity and inefficiency; lack of entrepreneurship education, youth negligence, and corruption hinder entrepreneurship programs and thereby attaining inclusive development in Ethiopia.