Gov’t reforms essential to further stimulate startups ecosystem: Startuppers

Addis Ababa, April 10, 2024 (FBC) – The reform carried out by the government is favorable for startuppers and further stimulate the sector, youths engaging in startups said.

‘Startup Ethiopia Exhibition’ kicked off at the Science Museum in the presence of senior government officials earlier this week.

The exhibition runs from April 4, until April 28, 2024, it was indicated.

At the exhibition, youths presented their startups in various sectors including information technology, agriculture, health, education, energy, industry and finance.

Meron Sleshi presented her digital application called ‘Lersha’, which means ‘for agriculture, at the exhibition.

The startup provides a one-stop digital service to smallholder farmers to enable them to access farm inputs, mechanization services, and follow dynamic agro weather condition alerts using technology, she elaborated.

For this, Meron stated, the platform combines a mobile application, a call center, and LERSHA agents to facilitate transactions with farmers.

As startups are innovative ideas, they will take time for the society to adopt use them, she said, adding that the efforts being underway by the government are essential to promote and further stimulate the ecosystem.

Head of Operations at Noliga Engineering PLC, Kassa Dejene, said that on his part, they developed a turbine that can generate energy from any flowing water and a device that can easily generate energy from wind.

Noting that they received financial support from the government during the implementation of this innovative work, he said that the new legal system put in place by the government has created a conducive environment for startups.

Founder of Simbona Africa, Hana Berhanu on her part said Simbona Africa is a MedTech company engaged in locally manufacturing medical devices in Ethiopia.

Simbona has five products and works on any customer-based items. These products are UVC light-based sterilization (non-medical) device, a phototherapy device, an infant radiant warmer, Oxygen Concentrator and Neonate and adult vein finder.

She mentioned that they were facing financial constraints while doing these jobs; stating that the activities being carried out by the government to address the financial challenges will motivate startuppers, as per ENA.