Promoting decent work

The ILO trains a new cohort of Financial Education Trainers in Ethiopia

The ILO trained 20 Business Development Service providers in Ethiopia as candidate certified national trainers, enhancing financial literacy to empower businesses and communities across the country.

5 September 2024

ILO NEWS- Addis Ababa– In a significant step towards enhancing financial literacy in Ethiopia, 20 Business Development Service (BDS) providers have successfully completed their training to become candidate certified national trainers in the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) financial education methodology.

The Training of Trainers (ToT) program, held from 5 to 9 August 2024, in Addis Ababa, was supported by ILO PROSPECTS in partnership with the Association of Ethiopian Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) and the BDS Providers Association of Ethiopia (BDSPA), with financial backing from the Government of the Netherlands.

Stephen Opio, Chief Technical Advisor at the ILO stated, “Our goal is to cultivate a network of highly skilled trainers who will become catalysts for positive change in financial literacy of businesses. Through this intensive Training of Trainers program, candidate ILO-certified trainers acquired the expertise to deliver globally tested financial education using the ILO tools and materials”.

Selected from over 200 applicants, the 20 public and private BDS providers are now candidate ILO-certified trainers. This certification process included fulfilling a series of criteria, such as rolling out training sessions with target beneficiaries. These newly certified providers will join a network of other BDS providers in Ethiopia, all equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to enhance the financial literacy of displaced populations and their host communities.

Eirmyas Kaase, Senior Programme Officer at ILO, highlighted the importance of this initiative: “20 more BDS providers in Ethiopia have started their journey of becoming a certified national trainer in the ILO’s financial education methodology. This training course not only reinforces Ethiopia’s pool of ILO-certified national trainers but also supports the certification of the two regional trainers who led it.”

Providing the opening remarks for the training, Tamiru Demeke, BDSPA President, said “This initiative marks a significant milestone in strengthening Ethiopia’s pool of national and regional trainers, ultimately contributing to the country’s broader financial literacy and economic empowerment goals”.

Tamiru added, “The training equipped future trainers with essential knowledge and skills in personal finance management”.

Ahmed Jafer, one of the trainers at the workshop

Ahmed Jafer Dawud, a 28-year-old trainer and consultant from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, is a certified Master Trainer in the ILO's SIYB program and is currently pursuing the Regional Trainer credential in Financial Education. He has trained over 800 individuals in these programs, empowering them with essential skills and knowledge. Ahmed Jafer believes that being a trainer has not only benefited his professional growth but has also enriched his personal life. "Being a trainer has been instrumental in my personal and professional growth. It allows me to live out my purpose by making a positive impact on others through training," he said.

Sara Demsis, a founder and CEO of Aspire Pan Africa Consultancy, is one of the 20 BDS providers who completed their training to become candidate certified national trainers. “As a seasoned professional with a passion for empowering communities, I've found the ILO's FE TOT training to be a game-changer. The practical approach and valuable insights have equipped me to effectively educate my community on financial matters”.

Participants of the training workshop in Ethiopia

Sara also shared Ahmed’s opinion on the importance of being a trainer. “Becoming a trainer has not only shaped my career but also enriched my personal life”, said Sara.

This initiative is designed to help target groups make informed financial decisions, improve budget planning, increase savings, promote prudent spending, encourage responsible borrowing, and better manage financial risks. By cultivating a network of skilled trainers, the ILO hopes to create a ripple effect of financial literacy across Ethiopia, leading to a more resilient, inclusive, and prosperous society.

To date, the ILO PROSPECTS programme and Better Regional Migration Management (BRMM) program have trained 71 candidate national trainers. Through them, 1,597 small and micro business owners have been trained in ILO’s Financial education modules.