Twelve startups receive awards from the Irish NGO Vita’s Innovation Business Idea Competition (IBICA).
The Innovation Business Idea Competition Award (IBICA), as the organization stated, is designed to support young and female-owned businesses by fostering competition and providing seed money and technical support to enable them to successfully implement their creative business ideas and plans.
On January 12 and 13, 2023, in Wolayita Sodo and Werabe, respectively, the competition’s award ceremony took place in the presence of representatives from the federal government, the local community, donors, the regional government, civil society organizations, and the EnJOY project’s implementing partners.
12 businesses were chosen as finalists out of approximately 96 creative and intriguing business ideas that were submitted for the competition, claims the group. The prizes include recognition certificates, access to incubation packages at TVETs’ Business Incubation Centers, and cash grants totaling one million ETB. Vita will assist people whose business strategies were sound but unsuccessful in production promotion.
Asfaw Mekuria, Ethiopia Country Director for Vita stated that, “This Innovation and Business Ideas Competition and Award is critically important for helping unemployed youth and women to turn ideas into reality.”
“The main objectives of this competition are to identify high-growth potential entrepreneurs capable of boosting economies and creating jobs and promoting entrepreneurship contributing to rural job creation and fostering a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem,” said the organization in its statement.
EnJOY is a three-and-half year (2020 – 2023) consortium project that is being implemented in Oromia, SNNP, and Sidama regions to enhance the capacities of the local business service providers to proactively support jobseekers to have better access to information on available job opportunities and job placements implemented by different partners including Vita.
According to the organization, Vita implemented a number of interventions through its EnJOY project to strengthen the capabilities of business service providers so that IDPs, disabled people, and women and youth who are unemployed can launch new businesses or expand existing ones using the enhanced services.
The Vita International Development Charity Organization was established in 1989 in Ireland and obtained Ethiopian legal registration in 2005.
Irish NGO Vita awards 12 innovative startups
Safaricom Ethiopia partners with banks for mobile airtime top-up service
Safaricom Ethiopia has launched a strategic partnership with various banks for mobile airtime top-up service to provide ease and convenience to customers on the 07 network.
In the first phase of integration with partner banks, customers can now access the mobile airtime top-up service through USSD menus and Mobile Apps of Bank of Abyssinia, Awash Bank, and NIB International Bank.
“We are delighted to announce this new mobile airtime top-up service that directly addresses our customers’ needs by introducing a solution that fits into their digital lifestyle. This service will enable our customers to stay connected on Safaricom Ethiopia’s network and go about their daily engagements seamlessly, be it keeping in touch with family and friends or business, using our 4G Data, Voice, and SMS services. We are keen on engaging in more strategic partnerships within the financial and technology industries to further innovate and serve our customers’ needs. The Ethiopian market demands digital solutions on the go, and we believe cross-industry partnerships will continue to shape up a digital ecosystem that delivers convenience, quality, and customer experience wherever and whenever the demand arises,” said Anwar Soussa, CEO, Safaricom Ethiopia.
Safaricom Ethiopia is also working towards expanding these services through other banks, microfinance institutions and technology companies. Customers will be able to purchase airtime at no charge on either USSD or mobile application options, while still enjoying access to airtime purchases at Safaricom Ethiopia branded shops and souks.
The new mobile airtime-top up service will allow customers to purchase up to 5,000 ETB worth of airtime and enhance their experience across 21 cities in the country.
Haile, Anchalem shattered Mumbai Marathon record
Ethiopia’s Haile Lemi bettered the elite men’s course record by more than 30 seconds, comfortably finishing the race in 2:07:32 to better the record of 2:08:09 set in 2020 by Derara Hurisa while Anchalem Haymanot finished the race in 2:24:15 to better Kenyan Valentine Kipketer’s record of 2:24:33 set in 2013.
Haile and Anchalem took home prize money of $45,000 as well as a course record bonus of $15,000 each. Kenyan Philimon Rono finished behind Haile with a timing of 2:08:44, followed by Hailu Zewdu, who clocked 2:10:23.
Rahma Tusa and Letebrhan Haylay completed an Ethiopian sweep in the women’s event with timings of 2:24:22 and 2:24:52 respectively.
It was a dream debut for Anchalem in the women’s elite race who kept pleading with her pacer to push harder throughout the race. In the women’s race, there were as many as five runners in the lead pack at the midway stage before 2019 champion Worknesh Alemu took the sole lead. She however couldn’t match the drive of Anchalem and Tusa who kept pushing each other till the end.
“This was my first marathon and I won gold. I was nervous regarding the weather and the conditions. Before the start, I didn’t tell myself that I have any hope of winning as the women’s field was very strong but I just stuck to the basics. My whole body was feeling good in the end so I went for the win,” she said.
Yalemzerf threatened world 10km in Valencia
Ethiopia’s Yalemzerf Yehualaw clocked 29:19 at the Valencia 10K Ibercaja to come within five seconds of her own world record, while Kenya’s Weldon Kipkirui Langat won in 26:55 in a thrilling finish against compatriot Charles Langat at the World Athletics Label road race in the Spanish city.
Paced by her compatriots Genetu Molalign, Yalemzerf increased her pace during the second half, covering most kilometers in 2:53-2:54 and reaching 8km in 23:29. After another swift 2:53 kilometer, the Ethiopian was unable to maintain that same cadence over the final kilometer but still held on to finish in 29:19, the second-fastest 10km performance in history.
The 23-year-old Yalemzerf commented she was a bit disappointed for not having broken the world record but satisfied with her brave effort.
The men’s race kicked off at a relatively brisk pace, the opening kilometers covered in 2:38 and 2:39. The pacemaker dropped out just before the 3km (7:57) and the pace decreased slightly, so Lagat and Kenya’s world 5000m silver medalist Jacob Krop moved to the front in a bid to keep the pace alive.
By halfway (13:30), nine men were still in contention for victory.
Despite the annoying headwind over the following kilometers, Krop and Langat managed to maintain a swift cadence in the 2:43/2:45 kilometer range, with Charles Langat always tucked behind them.
Charles Langat set a massive lifetime best of 26:57 while Daniel Kosen took third in 27:01, an 18-second improvement on his career best.
Langat missed out on making the Kenyan team for the World Cross Country Championships, so his next outing will be at the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon on 18 February. He’ll then turn his attention to making the Kenyan 10,000m team for the World Championships in Budapest.
