Heifer International Ethiopia

19/08/2026

As leaders prepare to head to The Africa Food Systems Forum - AGRF, conversations around agricultural finance often focus on loans and investment, although financial readiness begins much earlier.

Before farmers can access larger investments, they need profitable enterprises, practical skills, reliable income and the confidence to grow a business.

In Ethiopia's Sidama Region, Shewaye Fentae's journey shows what that looks like.

Through Heifer International Ethiopia’s Enhancing Livelihoods of Smallholders Through Improved Poultry Business poultry project, implemented by the Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture, Shewaye received training, improved poultry breeds and technical support that turned a struggling backyard activity into a productive enterprise. Today, she sells eggs, supports her family's nutrition, and is reinvesting her earnings to expand into other livestock activities.

Her poultry business has reduced financial pressure on the household, created an opportunity for her nephew to help manage the enterprise, and given her the confidence to plan for the future.

Stories like Shewaye's remind us that financial inclusion is not only about making credit available. It is also about enabling farmers to build viable businesses that generate consistent income, strengthen household resilience and create the foundation for future investment.

13/08/2026

Huge congratulations to , Co-Founder and CEO of Thur Biotech, for advancing to the Top 20 Semifinalists in the 2026 Africa's Business Heroes (ABH) competition!

From thousands of applicants across the continent, Samson's visionary work in restoring soil health and boosting smallholder farmer productivity continues to shine on a global stage.

As a winner of the , it is inspiring to see Samson’s relentless drive to continental recognition. We're cheering you on as you take the stage in Nairobi on August 21–22!

Let's support Samson and all the exceptional youth shaping Africa's future!

Meet the ABH 2026 Top 20!

From thousands of applications across Africa, we narrowed the field to 100 exceptional entrepreneurs. Now, 20 finalists have been selected to advance to the Semifinals.

Meet the visionary builders shaping Africa’s future today.

Watch them pitch live on stage in Nairobi on August 21–22.

See the full list on our website: https://africabusinessheroes.org/en/



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Découvrez le Top 20 de l’ABH 2026 !

Parmi des milliers de candidatures venues de toute l’Afrique, nous avons sélectionné 100 entrepreneurs exceptionnels. Vingt finalistes ont été sélectionnés pour accéder aux demi-finales.

Rencontrez ces bâtisseurs visionnaires qui façonnent l’avenir de l’Afrique dès aujourd’hui.

Assistez à leurs présentations en direct sur scène à Nairobi, les 21 et 22 août.

Consultez la liste complète sur notre site web — lien dans la bio.

11/08/2026

𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐇𝐞𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐫 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐮𝐦 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 - From 31 August to 4 September, Heifer International will join leaders from across Africa and beyond at the Africa Food Systems Forum 2026 in Kigali, Rwanda, under the theme, "Investing in Africa's Agri-Food Systems: Nourishing Nations, Growing Jobs, Building Resilience."

Throughout the Forum, we will showcase how market systems, climate resilience and finance can work together to mobilize investment, build resilience and create economic opportunities for farming communities across Africa.

📍 The Africa Food Systems Forum - AGRF, Kigali, Rwanda
📅 31 August – 4 September

If you will be at we invite you to join our sessions and visit the Heifer International booth to learn more about our work, explore opportunities for collaboration, and connect with our technical experts and leadership team.

06/08/2026

"At first, my husband did not believe poultry farming would make a difference. Today, he supports my work because he has seen the results."

Women are the backbone of rural food systems in Ethiopia, yet their perspectives are too often left out of development conversations. To help change this dynamic, Heifer Ethiopia convened a community dialogue in the Amhara Region Galesa District titled “Listening to Her Story: Rural Women Leading Change.”

As part of the International Year of Women Farmers campaign and the ELSIPB project, female poultry farmers spoke candidly about their journeys out of poverty. They shared how access to resources and training has transformed their lives—improving family nutrition, boosting self-reliance, and strengthening their influence at home and in the community.

Equally important, these leaders offered concrete solutions to real challenges, calling for affordable poultry feed, reliable markets, and stronger veterinary care.

When rural women are given the platform to lead the conversation, they provide the exact blueprint needed to transform their communities.

17/07/2026

We're Hiring!

Are you passionate about expanding financial inclusion and creating opportunities for smallholder farmers?

Heifer International Ethiopia is looking for talented professionals to join the USDA Ethiopia Partnership for Productivity (P4P) Project in the following roles:

✔ Access to Finance Lead (1)

✔ Access to Finance Analyst (3)

If you're ready to contribute to building resilient agricultural value chains and improving access to finance for farming communities across Ethiopia, we'd love to hear from you!

📅 Application Deadline: July 20, 2026

🔗 Apply here:

Access to Finance Lead: https://jobs.jobvite.com/heifer/job/oTXrAfwB
Access to Finance Analyst: https://jobs.jobvite.com/heifer/job/oUXrAfwC

Join us in ending hunger and poverty while caring for the Earth.

17/07/2026

As Heifer International celebrates 82 years of partnering with farming communities around the world, we are proud to contribute to this shared mission here in Ethiopia.

Working alongside farmers, the government, private sector partners, and communities, Heifer International Ethiopia is helping strengthen agricultural value chains, expand opportunities for women and youth, and build resilient livelihoods that create lasting impact.

This milestone is a celebration of the farmers, partners, and communities whose commitment and collaboration make sustainable change possible. Thank you for being part of this journey.

Since 1944, Heifer International has partnered with farming communities to sustainably address hunger and poverty while caring for the Earth.

Today, across eight countries in Africa, that partnership continues. Together, we are strengthening dairy, livestock and crop value chains, improving access to finance and markets, and enabling farmers to adopt practices that increase productivity and build resilience.

We pay particular attention to creating opportunities for women and young people because thriving economies depend on everyone having a chance to succeed.

The challenges facing agriculture have changed over the years. What hasn't changed is the determination of smallholder farmers to feed their families, grow their businesses and strengthen their communities.

As we celebrate 82 years, we celebrate every farmer, partner and community that has been part of this journey. Thank you for showing what is possible when farmers are trusted, supported and given the opportunity to lead.

Heifer International Ethiopia Heifer International Kenya Heifer Nigeria Heifer Tanzania Heifer International Uganda

25/06/2026

We’re thrilled to share that International’s Bhandari will be the 2026 recipient of the prestigious Global Veterinary Service Award from the American Veterinary Medical Association, for his groundbreaking work in animal health care for smallholder farming communities.

The award recognizes Dilip’s innovations in design and implementation of community-based animal health systems that have become a model for adoption in smallholder farming communities where knowledge, access and affordability are significant obstacles. Dilip is also an internationally recognized expert in the One Health approach and sustainable livestock strategies.

Dilip began his career training community animal health workers in his native Nepal before joining Heifer International in 2006. He leads our animal health, sustainable livestock and One Health programs, guiding work across more than 20 countries. He led development of the Community Agro-Vet Entrepreneur (CAVE) concept, training local individuals to provide care with supervision from licensed vets. Heifer trained 2,377 community animal health workers in 2025 alone.

Learn more: https://www.heifer.org/press-release/heifer-internationals-dilip-bhandari-to-receive-avma-award-for-outstanding-work-in-animal-health

18/06/2026

27/05/2026

Heifer Ethiopia wishes everyone celebrating a joyful and peaceful Eid al-Adha.