Celebrating GEW 2024: Grand Panel Discussion in Mekelle

As one of EDI Tigray Regional Office’s major activities to celebrate GEW 2024, a grand panel discussion was held on the 23rd of November, 2024, at Planet Hotel. More than 120 individuals, including bureau heads representing public and private organizations, UN agencies, international NGOs, and local civil societies, participated in the half-day panel discussion.
Mr. Gebremedhin Hagos, Head of the Tigray Regional Bureau of TVT and Job Creation, emphasized that it is the right time to work on promoting innovation and entrepreneurship in Tigray so that the region can bounce back faster and better, while making a welcoming speech to the participants. Further, Dr. Kelali Adhena, Head of the Tigray Regional Bureau of Science and Technology, made a keynote speech and officially opened the discussion. Dr. Kelali pointed out that Tigray needs innovations in both natural and social sciences.
Following the welcoming and opening speeches, two presentations titled “EDI as a Key Player in Building Ethiopia’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem” and “Innovation and Entrepreneurship as an Instrument for Post-War Reconstructions: Global Best Practices and Tigray’s Potential” were delivered by Mr. Haftu Haile and Mr. Molla Reda, respectively.
Afterwards, the team of presenters, along with Mr. Gebremedhin (Moderator) and Mr. Dagmawi Yohannes, Coordinator-EDI Tigray Regional Office, staged and collected questions and reflections from many participants. Most of the reactions from the participants were recommendations, which are summarized as follows:
Innovators fight with everything while designing their venture and shed light even in the darkest moments. So, this mental setup should be created among our innovators.
EDI and other stakeholders should work on creating an enabling environment so that youth will turn on their burning desire and unleash their potential.
EDI is working enormously in installing youth and women in the absence of strong state machinery in Tigray.
The world is in a 5th revolution, and we need to fight against our backwardness and tirelessly work to catch up.
Tigray’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem is in its worst state and needs a speedy multi-level collaboration among players. A regional forum for Entrepreneurship and Innovation led by EDI and the Regional Bureau of TVT and Job Creation is suggested.
Similar Panels are badly needed in Tigray.
There is a selection problem in the local administration, and governments need to police the selection process of participants targeted for entrepreneurship empowerment.
DDR of ex-combatants is underway, and PSS and Entrepreneurship and Business Skills Training should be provided on time.
Financial Institutions should focus on funding for start-ups through installing innovative collateral-free loan services.
An Innovation and Entrepreneurship Strategy for the region is required.
Finally, the moderator and panelists reflected back and appreciated the recommendations and comments forwarded by the participants. The event was concluded by visiting the minimum viable products of SEED program-supported innovators who showcased their products during the panel discussion.