Over the next century, half the world’s population growth is expected to take place in Africa. It is recognized that one of the continent's most significant development challenges will be creating enough quality jobs and to employ this population growth. Gender equality, particularly the inclusion and empowerment of women, will be vital to undertaking these challenges in Africa, including in the context of this project, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. Likewise, the main objective of the WBP was to increase women’s empowerment and gender equality in Ethiopia including improving the skills of women willing to launch or build-up a small business and facilitating women’s business start-ups and market linkages.
