Sweet success: A young entrepreneur in Ethiopia is turning honey into opportunity
In Ethiopia, where bees are busy, but business opportunities for many young people remain limited, Amanuel is proving that with the right support, a small idea can grow into something transformative.
For Amanuel, the journey to becoming a business leader began long before he launched his company. Growing up, he shared a close bond with his father through backyard farming. Together, they grew vegetables and raised chickens, experiences that sparked his lifelong passion for agriculture and community.
Although he later graduated in electrical and computer engineering, Amanuel never lost his connection to the land. Instead, he began to see how his technical mindset could help solve a different kind of challenge: modernizing Ethiopia’s ancient honey industry.
"Engineering taught me how to solve complex problems," Amanuel explains. "Which is exactly what we’re doing in sustainable agriculture and food systems.”
Like many young entrepreneurs in Ethiopia, 28-year-old Amanuel faced significant barriers to building a sustainable business. While self-employment is common among young people, many struggle to access financing, training, and larger market opportunities needed for long-term growth.
Still, Amanuel believed there was untapped potential in Ethiopia’s honey industry.
Starting with just a few beehives at the Gulele Botanic Center, a biodiversity-rich area ideal for honey production, he launched Ayat Honey Agro-products with a vision that extended beyond selling honey. He also wanted to create opportunities for others in his community.
As demand for his products grew, Amanuel realized he could not meet production needs alone. He began partnering with regional beekeepers, strengthening local supply chains while creating new income opportunities for small-scale producers.
But growth brought new challenges. To move beyond day-to-day survival and build a scalable business, Amanuel needed strategic mentorship, financial tools, and access to larger markets. By joining SOS Children’s Villages’ youth economic empowerment initiative, Amanuel received specialized coaching and support, and the impact was transformative:
- From survival to strategy: Amanuel shifted his focus from day-to-day operations to long-term growth.
- Seed funding: He received a small grant to purchase essential equipment.
- Innovation and growth: With new packaging and refrigeration equipment, he launched Birz Honey Drink, immediately boosting his sales by 20%.
Today, Amanuel’s business continues to grow while supporting local producers and demonstrating what’s possible when young people are empowered to pursue their goals.
Why your support matters
Around the world, young people hold the key to solving some of our most pressing challenges, yet too many are held back by barriers beyond their control. In Sub-Saharan Africa, more than one in four youth are not in education, employment, or training (NEET), and young women are nearly twice as likely to be affected. These are not just statistics; they are missed opportunities.
Green Growth: Empowering Youth for a Green Future is a five-year initiative launched in partnership with the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada. The initiative supports young people in building sustainable livelihoods and strengthening economic resilience in their communities.
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