The African Development Bank (AfDB) and Invest in Africa have collaboratively launched the MicroGREEN project, aiming to provide livelihood opportunities for marginalized and vulnerable groups in Ghana and Senegal.
Named “Strengthening Women, Youth, and People with Disabilities’ Micro Entrepreneurship for Green Jobs in Natural Resources (MicroGREEN),” the initiative seeks to generate up to 500 green job opportunities while delivering crucial business development services.
The AfDB, along with its Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation Multi-Donor Trust Fund, has allocated a $1 million grant to support the MicroGREEN project for two years. Additionally, the Bank will provide entrepreneurship capacity building and business skills training to at least 1,000 youths aged 15-35, with a focus on distributing resources to 60% young women, 10% persons with special needs, and 30% other youths in both countries.
During the launch event, Eyerusalem Fasika, the Ghana Country Manager for the Bank, reiterated the institution’s dedication to addressing climate change and poverty challenges, aligning with Nationally Determined Contributions and Sustainable Development Goals. Fasika emphasized various bank initiatives aimed at fostering inclusive development, particularly highlighting the gender strategy to empower women through access to finance, enhancing employability, and increasing access to social services. She also highlighted the Bank’s partnership with UN Women to empower women in the natural resources sector.
Carol Anang, Country Manager for Invest in Africa, Ghana, emphasized the project’s timely rollout, foreseeing its potential to attract and enhance opportunities to improve livelihoods, especially for vulnerable groups. Anang emphasized the priority to facilitate increased synergy between large international organizations and local entities to drive inclusive growth, with a focus on enhancing skills for employability.
The project will employ value chain-based small and medium enterprise development models to enhance employment creation, ensure micro-enterprise sustainability, and integrate beneficiaries into economic systems. Invest in Africa will lead the implementation, leveraging its expertise in market access and skills development to promote sustainable business growth and job creation.
