The Ethiopian Parliamentary Committee Recognized EDI as a National Asset and Model for Entrepreneurial Transformation

The Standing Committee on Human Resource Development, Employment, and Technology Affairs of the House of People’s Representatives has recognized the Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI) as a transformative national model. The designation followed an in-depth field observation and review of EDI’s operations and impact on Ethiopia’s entrepreneurial landscape.

During the visit, committee members engaged in extensive discussions with EDI’s leadership, assessing the institute’s strategic performance, milestone achievements, and future roadmap. The dialogue focused on scaling EDI’s proven methodologies to accelerate national development.

In a powerful commendation, the Committee’s Chairperson, Honorable Dr. Negeri Lencho, stated EDI is a “national asset” and a “benchmark for Ethiopia’s potential.” He emphasized that the Institute has created a unique and effective culture capable of “enhancing ideas, empowering individuals, and transforming institutions.”

“EDI’s working culture must be replicated across sectors to fundamentally reshape our national ecosystem,” stated Dr. Negeri. “As Ethiopia evolves into an entrepreneurial state, EDI’s mandate should expand beyond the public sector to directly empower private enterprises, corporations, and individual citizens.”

Dr. Negeri also specifically stressed the commendable efforts of EDI in the realm of public sector innovation, highlighting its crucial role in driving systemic change within government institutions. The Committee specifically lauded EDI’s critical role in addressing unemployment and shifting national mindsets towards self-reliance. “EDI is successfully redirecting potential job seekers to recognize and harness local opportunities, transforming them from job seekers into employers within Ethiopia,” Dr. Negeri noted. “This Institute is actively easing a significant national burden.”

The Committee also emphasized the need for the Institute to strengthen collaboration and cooperation within the entrepreneurial ecosystem among different stakeholders. Furthermore, members stressed the importance of EDI intensifying its role as a key Center of Excellence and a vital learning center for other higher education institutions. While expanding its local presence across the country, the Committee also stressed the strategic imperative for EDI to expand its influence and activities to the regional and continental levels.

In his part, Dr. Hassen Hussien, Director General of EDI, outlined the Institute’s multifaceted contributions to national development, which include delivering comprehensive capacity-building and business development programs, facilitating access to finance and market linkages for entrepreneurs, strengthening the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem, achieving high global recognition during the 2025 Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW), and actively contributing to national policy formulation.

Today’s visit and subsequent endorsement underline strong parliamentary support for EDI’s mission. It highlights the Institute’s strategic and growing importance in building a dynamic, resilient, and sustainable entrepreneurial economy for Ethiopia.