Entrust Africa

We just completed the 2nd cohort of the TRADE Program, focused on agro-processing SMEs.

The first cohort was in the leather sector, and one thing is becoming very clear across both industries: many SMEs already have products, buyers, and production capacity. The biggest challenge is often not demand, but structure.

This cohort focused on export readiness and bankability.

We worked directly with SMEs on export documentation workflows, Ethiopia Electronic Single Window processes, ESG requirements, digitization, AI prompting for business operations, blockchain traceability, and transaction diagnostics. We also brought in specialists in compliance, finance, and digital systems to support the cohort with practical guidance tied to real export operations.

By the end of the program, 10 exporters joined our pilot initiative focused on improving export ex*****on and transaction visibility.

As we mapped operations and financing readiness, we identified more than ETB 1.3 billion in financing gaps across the participating SMEs.

In many cases, the issue was not production capability. It was incomplete documentation, weak financial packaging, fragmented records, and limited operational visibility.

We also started collecting sustainability and operational baseline data from exporters, as buyers, banks, and development partners are increasingly asking for this level of transparency, especially in agro-processing exports.

One major takeaway from this cohort:

Export growth requires more than production capacity. SMEs also need systems that help them become structured, compliant, digitized, and bankable.

We are proud to share that we have successfully completed the SME Export Readiness Training Program for 20 Ethiopian leather SMEs.

Over two intensive days, these businesses were equipped with practical tools to begin exporting under AfCFTA and regional trade frameworks. The focus was not theory — but ex*****on.

Participants gained hands-on knowledge in:

• Export costing and pricing
• Trade finance and banking readiness
• Export documentation and compliance
• Market opportunities across Africa
• Digital systems to manage export operations

This marks an important step in building Ethiopia’s next generation of exporters — businesses that are prepared to scale beyond borders and compete in regional markets.

We extend our sincere appreciation to our strategic partner Zemen Bank for their commitment to empowering SMEs and supporting export growth, and to the team at Entrust Consulting PLC for delivering this impactful program.

Most importantly, congratulations to the 20 leather SMEs who participated. Your ambition and readiness to grow is what will drive Ethiopia’s export future.

This is just the beginning.

𝐌𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐀 𝐀𝐃𝐕𝐈𝐒𝐎𝐑𝐘

𝐄𝐌𝐁𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐘 𝐎𝐅 𝐁𝐎𝐓𝐒𝐖𝐀𝐍𝐀 𝐈𝐍 𝐄𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐎𝐏𝐈𝐀 𝐓𝐎 𝐇𝐎𝐒𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐓 – 𝐑𝐄𝐌𝐌𝐎𝐆𝐎 𝐇𝐈𝐆𝐇 𝐋𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐋 𝐁𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐍𝐄𝐓𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓, 𝟏𝟎 𝐉𝐔𝐍𝐄 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

ADDIS ABABA, 4th June 2025: The Embassy of the Republic of Botswana in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in collaboration with Ethiopian business consultancy firm Entrust Consult, invites members of the media in Ethiopia to cover a high-level Business Networking Event to be held on Tuesday, 10 June 2025, at the Adwa Victory Memorial (Adwa Hall) in Addis Ababa, from 08:30hrs to 13:00hrs. The event, titled “Andinet – Remmogo”, draws from the Ethiopian and Setswana words for “unity” or “togetherness”, reflecting the shared vision of fostering deeper ties between the peoples of Botswana and Ethiopia through business and people-to-people engagement.

The event will feature keynote speeches and panel discussions focusing on unlocking trade and investment opportunities between Botswana and Ethiopia. It aims to bring together key stakeholders across priority sectors including agriculture, leather, textile, jewellery manufacturing, coffee, aviation, and tourism, among others. The discussions will explore how both countries can capitalize on the economic potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) while also promoting mutually beneficial partnerships in technical cooperation and capacity building.

Members of the media are encouraged to attend and cover this unique networking platform. Kindly confirm attendance by 06 June 2025 via email at [email protected] or call +251 939140862.