U.S. Charge d’Affaires Ambassador Vicki Huddleston Hosts “Mini” Trade Fair to Highlight Leading Women Entrepreneurs in Ethiopia

November 18, 2006
No. 42/06

Addis Ababa (U.S. Embassy) -- U.S. Embassy Charge d’Affaires Ambassador Vicki Huddleston hosted a “Mini” Trade Fair on Saturday, November 18, for some of Ethiopia’s leading women entrepreneurs.  The trade fair showcased such top-quality goods as textiles, handicrafts, traditional and modern clothing, leather, jewelry, shoes, flowers and home furnishings. The event was held on the lawn of the U.S. Embassy compound.

The purpose of the fair is to highlight the exciting things that women-owned enterprises are doing and making in Ethiopia today, promote the importance of entrepreneurship among women, and draw attention to the issues women business owners face.

Approximately 30 entrepreneurs will exhibit – and offer for sale to invited guests – their products and goods.  This “Mini” Trade Fair is the outcome of an initiative spearheaded by the U.S. Chargé d’Affaires, Ambassador Vicki J. Huddleston, to bring together women leaders in business and professional life to seek common ground and search for solutions to common problems.

In July 2006, Ambassador Huddleston hosted a discussion with more than 30 women entrepreneurs, women elected officials and women working in government ministries.  During the meeting participants shared life stories and discussed the challenges they had each faced in pursuing a successful life and career.  This meeting became a monthly gathering and over time, coalesced into what is now called the Women Entrepreneurs Group, comprised of leading women entrepreneurs, government officials, members of parliament, and representatives from civil society, international organizations, and diplomatic missions. 

The Women Entrepreneurs Group builds on ongoing efforts by the U.S. Mission in Ethiopia, such as the USAID-supported AGOA+ Program, which assists women entrepreneurs overcome such challenges as lack of capacity in production and marketing.  These efforts include sponsoring women-owned companies to attend U.S. based trade fairs, match-making services, website development, training, and on-site technical assistance by expatriate commodity-specific experts.

In 2005 and 2006, the U.S. Mission actively supported women exporters to take greater advantage of AGOA.  Another USAID/Ethiopia program provides loan guarantees to small- and medium-sized businesses through three private banks. Women entrepreneurs are also playing a significant role in Ethiopia’s booming cut-flower export sector.

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