’Chegebeya’ translated as ’Che Market’ aims to revolutionize the financial ecosystem for Micro, Small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Ethiopia by modernizing the supply chain of Fast-Moving Consumer Goods.

This pioneering initiative will improve access to finance over the next five years, contributing to scale up digital financial solutions and piloting insurance to 500,000 low-income farmers, including women, youth entrepreneurs.

By addressing the need for improved access to financial services and support for MSMEs in agriculture, the project aims to contribute to the creation of jobs and the sustainable and inclusive economic development of the sector.

The general objective is to test a tailor-made and innovative agricultural product for smallholder farmers and expand the loan products to rural areas.

UNCDF launches the Cash-in/Cash-Out (CICO) project in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, bringing together key stakeholders from Ethiopia's banking sector, MNOs, Fintechs, MFIs, development agencies and other digital financial services ecosystem players.

Through a strategic partnership, UNCDF and Google aim to digitize micro, small and medium enterprises in the Eastern and Southern Africa Region by providing technical assistance, training, and business advisory support.

COVID-19 has created many disruptions in Ethiopia this year, impacting both merchants and consumers.

The decision of the National Bank of Ethiopia followed the chronic foreign currency shortage the country has been facing for many years.

The collaboration enables UNFCU members to transfer money to mobile wallets in select countries in local currencies.