The African Development Bank has signed an $850,000 grant agreement with Invest in Africa (IIA), a non-profit organization, to implement the MicroGREEN project in Ghana and Senegal. This initiative, officially titled Strengthening Women, Youth, and People with Disabilities’ Micro-Entrepreneurship for Green Jobs in Natural Resources, aims to create up to 500 green jobs in the agroforestry, fisheries, and biodiversity conservation sectors. It is funded through the Bank’s Fund for African Private Sector Assistance (FAPA), alongside a $1 million grant from the Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation Multi-Donor Trust Fund, with a two-year implementation period.
The targeted sectors hold strong potential for climate-resilient employment and require skilled workers capable of managing ecosystems and applying green technologies. However, women and youth remain underrepresented in sustainable growth sectors across Africa. Increasing their participation in green, employment-intensive industries could accelerate inclusive and resilient economic growth on the continent.
The FAPA grant will support the Capacity Development and Value Chain Enhancement component of the project. In countries like Ghana and Senegal, many small and medium enterprises face limited access to entrepreneurship training and business development services. These challenges are particularly severe for women- and youth-led enterprises and are compounded by high service costs, gender barriers, and socio-economic constraints.
To address these issues, the MicroGREEN project will provide high-quality entrepreneurship training, tailored business development services, and mentorship programs for women, youth, and people with disabilities in agriculture-based sectors. By strengthening the capacity of these micro-enterprises and integrating them into green value chains, the project will promote local job creation and foster inclusive participation in Africa’s green economy.
Invest in Africa will serve as the implementing partner, drawing on its experience in supporting African SMEs through market access facilitation, skills development, and improved financing opportunities. FAPA, a multi-donor trust fund with the Government of Japan as its main contributor, has financed over 100 projects in more than 38 African countries since its inception, committing more than $80 million to improve business environments, expand financial systems, and promote SME growth. Through funding like this, the African Development Bank strengthens its role in preparing and developing bankable private sector operations across the continent.
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