From a small shop to a growing enterprise: Youth entrepreneurship support transforms a family tailoring business in Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, ETHIOPIA (ILO News) – For Ziyin Tesfa and her husband, Wondemagegn Shiferaw, running a tailoring business was more than a livelihood; it was a shared dream of stability for their family and a better future for their three children. Yet, confined to a small, rented shop in Nifas Silk Lafto Sub City, their ambitions were constrained by limited space, capital and access to business knowledge.

That reality began to change when Ziyin responded to a call for youth entrepreneurs issued by Safe Light Initiative, a youth-led non-governmental organization in Ethiopia and a recipient of a grant from the International Labour Organization (ILO) and Edukans Foundation– Youth-to-Youth Fund (Y2YF).

She was selected as one of 87 young people (49 of them women) supported through the Kulehe Project. Kulehe, meaning “for all” in Ge’ez, is a programme of Safe Light Initiative established with support from the ILO Y2YF to promote decent employment through youth entrepreneurship and financial inclusion.

Participants were selected in close collaboration with local government offices and Refugee & Returnee Service (RRS). Selection was based on criteria such as viability of business idea, age and desire to start or improve their own business. The 87 selected young entrepreneurs included 21 participants from refugee communities and 66 from host communities in Addis Ababa.

With other selected participants, Ziyin received four days of entrepreneurship, financial literacy, digital marketing and Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB) training, followed by tailored mentorship. “The training was very insightful. It opened our eyes to the possibility of growing a business starting from scratch,” Ziyin recalls. “For the first time, I felt confident that we could transform our small shop into something bigger and better understand my role in the business.”

The learning was followed by tailored mentorship that helped the family make strategic decisions about their business.

With the guidance of mentors and the encouragement of the Safelight team, Ziyin and her husband relocated to a larger shop, an investment that expanded their business and production capacity. Following the training and motorship, Ziyin received a business improvement grant of 24,000 Ethiopian Birr (approximately $155). The family used the funds to purchase an additional sewing machine and greige fabric, further expanding their production capacity.

Previously, Wondemagegn was the sole tailor, while Ziyin focused on household responsibilities. Today, Ziyin plays a critical role in business management and production. The business now employs an additional tailor, creating direct employment opportunities for other young people. “The previous shop was too small to grow,” says Wondemagegn. “The financial support was more than money; it came at a critical moment and gave us the confidence to move forward. It was a real morale boost.”

Beyond technical and financial support, the project enhanced the family’s digital marketing skills and online presence. With assistance from Safelight, they created social media accounts to promote their products and began sharing sample promotional videos on platforms such as TikTok and Telegram.

© ILO/Zelalem Alemenew Desta

© ILO/Zelalem Alemenew Desta

The training also inspired Ziyin to diversify her income sources. “I am now always looking for business ideas and opportunities,” she explains. “Recently, I started an additional l business selling honey and butter in my neighbourhood. The training helped me to think creatively, identify assets and recognize opportunities I had not seen before.”

For Ziyin and Wondemagegn, the impact of the project extends beyond business growth. “My wife shared the lessons from the training with me every day,” Wondemagegn reflects. “We learned together, planned together, and now we are growing together.”

Today, the family’s income has increased, enabling them to save for the future and plan further expansion. Their long-term vision includes growing their enterprise into a garment business and distribution venture by acquiring additional sewing machines and creating jobs for other young people.

Youth-led solutions for inclusive economic growth

The Kulehe Project, launched in Addis Ababa in January 2025, supports young people from both refugee and host communities through entrepreneurship training, financial inclusion and business linkages. It is implemented by Edukans Foundation and Safe Light Initiative with the support of the ILO through Youth-to-Youth Fund (Y2YF), part of the Netherlands-supported PROSPECTS programme.