Trader to a visionary leader: Story of Habiba who aims to launch a livestock cooperative

Habiba Moghe Hussain, a Somalian refugee and mother of three, transformed her cattle trading business after winning Business Plan Competition in Ethiopia and now aiming to build a cooperative to support other women in her community.

Habiba Moghe Hussain, has lived in Kebribeyah town in Ethiopia Somali region for past 34 years. Like many others in her community, she runs a cattle fattening business, where she buys young cattle, feeds and nurtures them before selling them at a higher price to earn her living.

Small entrepreneurs, particularly refugees in the region, struggle to access formal financial sources due to their inability to provide collateral and their religious beliefs that forbid borrowing and paying interest on loans.

With these challenges, Habiba always managed to buy small number of cattle and had business remained stunted. “I am also the sole bread winner for my family. I have three children and I need to support them to complete their education and even to set up their livelihoods,” shared Habiba.

The ILO and Hasi Consulting supported Business Plan Competition provided her with the guidance she craved. It is a unique business development support initiative which helped small and micro business owners to learn business development strategies and provided them with a monetary stimuli for expanding their business

Habiba underwent series of business development trainings and her submission of business plan won her ETB 90,000 (US $ 900) prize money. “Through this process, I managed to draft a business plan, develop a savings strategy, and establish better record-keeping practices for my business,” added Habiba.

The grant allowed Habiba to immediately add 10 more goats to livestock. The profits after selling these cattle raised her a substantial capital to buy more varieties of animals to fatten and flip.

The most profound impact lies in Habiba's vision for the future. She dreams of building a leading women's cooperative dedicated to selling all types of livestock. "Winning the competition has given me a new-found confidence. More than money, the training and knowledge is going to change my life" declared Habiba.

BPC not only empowered entrepreneurs like Habiba to navigate the challenges faced by small businesses but also turn their entrepreneurial visions into thriving realities.

© ILO

© ILO

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.