ILO’s Business Plan Competition fuels Hinda's entrepreneurial journey

Kebribeyah, ETHIOPIA - Hinda's journey exemplifies the strength of the human spirit and the transformative power of opportunity. For the past seven years, Hinda has worked as a butcher, a trade she embraced after a childhood marked by displacement and uncertainty.

Born in Somalia, she was forced to flee the civil war as a young girl. Since 1991, she has resided in Kebribeyah refugee camp in the Somali Region of Ethiopia her home. Despite the challenges of life in a refugee camp, Hinda possessed an entrepreneurial spirit and a determination to build a better future for herself and her family.

© ILO/Zelalem Alemenew Desta

© ILO/Zelalem Alemenew Desta

A turning point in Hinda's life came through her participation in the Business Plan Competition (BPC). This initiative, supported by the Government of the Netherlands through the International Labour Organization (ILO), provided Hinda with the resources and training she needed to expand her business.

Hinda explains, "The Business Plan Competition (BPC) directly led to the growth of my business. I now operate with two tables instead of one. The 90,000 Ethiopian Birr ($ 600) award from the competition made a huge difference. I previously could only sell a single goat each day. Now, my increased capital allows me to sell an additional goat and a cow or bull daily. Given that a goat is being sold for 7,000 and a cow for around 70,000 Birr, my income has doubled."

Hinda's success has not only benefited her directly but has also created opportunities for others in her community. She now employs four women, two from the refugee community and two from the host community. "Beyond the financial grant, the knowledge and skills I acquired through the training as part of the BPC have been invaluable. I am now proficient in managing my business," she explains.

As a mother of four children and wife to a husband who works as a metalworker, Hinda serves as a pillar for her family and a role model within her community. Looking to the future, Hinda has ambitious expansion plans. She aims to grow her business further by acquiring a refrigerator and a meat-chopping machine in the future. She is also preparing to access loan services from Shabelle Bank, utilizing their newly launched "Aisha" product designed for refugees and host communities with the support of the ILO.

"Hinda's story is a powerful testament to what can be achieved when we empower individuals with the right skills and opportunities. Her success not only transformed her business and her family's future, but it also created jobs and fostered economic integration within her community. This is exactly the kind of sustainable impact the ILO's Business Plan Competition is designed to create."

“Through the ILO’s BPC, we are not only supporting individual entrepreneurs like Hinda to grow their businesses, but we are also fostering inclusive local economies where refugees and host communities can thrive together,” said Stephen Opio, Chief Technical Advisor of ILO PROSPECTS in Ethiopia and Sudan. He added, “This, after all, is the kind of sustainable impact that the BPC seeks to make.”

Business Plan Competition - a snapshot

In June 2023, the BPC launched in the ILO and Hasi Consulting Ethiopia’s Somali region, drew remarkable attention, attracting 1,931 proposals from young entrepreneurs across various sectors. After a rigorous selection process, 100 of the most promising business plans were chosen as first-round winners. These aspiring entrepreneurs received intensive training and mentorship from the Business Development Services Providers Association of Ethiopia (BDSPA), enabling them to refine their ideas, craft comprehensive business plans, and enhance their entrepreneurial skills.

The competition culminated in a high-stakes pitching event, where the winners presented their polished business plans to a panel of judges and industry experts. Ultimately, 50 exceptional businesses were awarded grant funding to launch or expand their ventures, along with ongoing coaching and mentorship to ensure their long-term success.