Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI)

Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI) - Ethiopia. EDI is an autonomous institution under the newly established Ministry of Labor and Skills, resulting from the latest government reorganization. It merges two entities: the UNDP-supported Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI), founded in February 2013, and the World Bank-financed Women Entrepreneurship Development Project (WEDP), launched in December 2012. Previously, both projects operated under the former Ministry of Urban Development and Construction. EDI's mission is to foster the emergence of a vibrant, competitive, and innovative private-sector driven by a dynamic, growth-oriented SME sector. To achieve this goal, EDI offers a comprehensive range of entrepreneurship support programs, including ecosystem and capacity building, business development services (BDS), access to finance, and market linkage. With its new mandate as a national institution, EDI plays a pivotal role not only in nurturing the entrepreneurial ecosystem but also in promoting self-employment opportunities. Additionally, EDI has strategically transitioned from being a direct service provider to focusing on building the capacities of other public and private institutions. This strategic shift underscores our commitment to sustainable development and capacity building within Ethiopia's entrepreneurship landscape.