Business for Peace Fellowship Field Trip to Mekele: THE ROLE OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN POSTCONFLICTRECONSTRUCTION

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One among the many programs Initiative Africa (IA) has been implementing under the Business for Peace Project which is supported by the Embassy of Sweden (SIDA), the Business for Peace Fellowship is designed to introduce business owners, business advisors, business aspirants, entrepreneurs and start-up owners, etc., to the various peacebuilding approaches and the analytical tools needed to understand, analyze and resolve conflicts. Offered in three cohorts, the Fellowship is deemed to be instrumental in allowing the business community to have a say in and foster local ownership of peacebuilding activities. It will also allow business owners to critically engage in peacebuilding processes with a clear understanding of the cycle of conflict and interventions designed at each state.

As part of this effort, IA organized a field trip to Mekele City, Tigray Region, Ethiopia from July 20th to 21st, 2023 for its current Business for Peace Fellows. The opening event was officially commemorated with a welcoming speech from Tigray Region Interim President H.E Mr. Getachew Reda at Axum Hotel, Mekele City under the theme “The role of the private sector in Post-Conflict Reconstruction”. This field trip facilitated the participation of the 22 (Twenty-Two) Business for Peace fellows who represent different sectors represented including banking, real estate, import-export, media houses, and representatives from Addis Ababa and Ethiopia chambers of commerce. The primary objective of the Mekele City Trip is to expose the private business sector to the current situation in Tigray and encourage their active involvement in the reconstruction process. In light of that the Economy and the Business Sector in Post Conflict Tigray were discussed by the Head of Tigray Regional State Interim-government Industry Bureau, Dr. Gebrehiwot and a reflection from the Tigray Regional State Chamber of Commerce President was presented on post-conflict reconstruction in Tigray regional state and the Role of the Private Sector.

Sharing the experience from the local civil society organization, a representative from the HAQI foundation discussed ‘Managing the trauma and psychological impact of the war’.

The Trip to Wiq`roo and IDP camps in Mekele; a first-hand experience of the effect of the war is believed to develop a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities in post-conflict Tigray. This understanding will enable them to make informed decisions regarding potential investments and initiatives aimed at supporting the region’s recovery.

Through engaging with regional leaders, witnessing the impact of the war firsthand, and gaining insights from Tigray officials, participants will be empowered to play a significant role in the region’s recovery. IA and the Tigray Chamber of Commerce will work together to ensure the successful execution of the program, leveraging their expertise and networks to facilitate meaningful engagements between the private sector and Tigray’s leaders.

For more information, please contact us at info@initiativeafrica.net or call +251-11-662-2640/41

Ethiopian Private Sector and National Rehabilitation and Reintegration Process

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Initiative Africa’s Executive Director, Kebour Ghenna, Meets with Commissioner Teshome Toga to Promote Private Sector Engagement in the upcoming National Rehabilitation and Reintegration process. Initiative Africa (IA), a local organization dedicated to promoting peace and sustainable development in Ethiopia is delighted to announce a pivotal meeting between IA’s Executive Director, Kebour Ghenna, and Commissioner Teshome Toga, who headed the newly established the National Rehabilitation Commission of Ethiopia (NRCE).


Addressing the prevailing peace challenges in Ethiopia, Commissioner Toga wholeheartedly endorsed the Business for Peace initiative, acknowledging its timeliness and calling for robust support and active engagement from all stakeholders. “The Ethiopian private sector is an important actor in the work of the commission,” said Teshome Toga, Commissioner of the NRC. “The private sector needs to actively engage in peacebuilding and post-conflict construction work without a push from the government. The Business for Peace initiative is timely and needs to be supported and engaged as peace is an important issue for Ethiopia now.”


Building on this shared vision, IA and NRCE have jointly agreed to hold a high-level discussion forum by the end of this month. This forum will focus on exploring the private sector’s role in implementing the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA) and, specifically, its contribution to the ongoing Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) process. The platform will bring together regional chambers, associations, and prominent business owners in Ethiopia, creating an opportunity for open dialogue, knowledge sharing, and collaborative action. Kebour Ghenna, Executive Director of Initiative Africa, said that the forum is an important opportunity to bring together the private sector and government to discuss how they can work together to build peace in Ethiopia. “We believe that the private sector has a critical role to play in peacebuilding,” said Kebour. “This forum is an opportunity for us to share our ideas and to work together to develop a plan for how the private sector can be more effectively engaged in peacebuilding efforts.


NRCE has been actively engaging with various stakeholders, including the international community, to mobilize funds and garner support. Operating independently, NRCE also collaborates with the Ministry of Peace (MoP) and a council of advisors, consisting of representatives from the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Labour and Skills, and the Ministry of Defense. This collaborative approach ensures a holistic and multifaceted response to the challenges of peacebuilding and national rehabilitation.


Underpinning these efforts, the Business for Peace project stands as a cornerstone initiative focused on mobilizing the business sector for sustainable peacebuilding. Supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), this three-year project aims to harness the transformative power of private enterprises in shaping peace, stability, and prosperity in Ethiopia.


Both IA and NRCE are committed to fostering a resilient and inclusive peacebuilding landscape in Ethiopia by actively engaging the private sector. This partnership signifies a significant milestone in strengthening the role of businesses in post-conflict development, reconstruction, and sustainable peace.


For further information, please contact us at this email addressinfo@initiativeafrica.net or call +251-11-662-2640/41