Ivanka Trump, US President Donald Trump’s oldest daughter and advisor on job creation, economic empowerment, workforce development and entrepreneurship, met and discussed with Ethiopian businesswomen in various industries in Ethiopia.
The US embassy in Addis Ababa has announced that, “Ms. Trump [who is on official visit to Ethiopia] will discuss U.S.-led initiatives to promote opportunities for women’s inclusion and learn about ongoing efforts in meetings with Ethiopian government officials and the African Union as well as hold engagements with women leaders in business & civil society,” the embassy said.
Ivanka Trump has visited Muya Ethiopia, a textile manufacturing company. Muya Ethiopia, a company founded 16 years ago targeting both local and international market, is founded by a woman entrepreneur Sara Abera. The company, which started off with just 10 employees, now has over 500 workers. Mrs. Sara gave Ms. Trump and Mark Green, administrator of USAID a tour to her company.
Ms. Trump has also met and discussed with women working in the coffee industry, at Dumerso Coffee in Addis Ababa to discuss the opportunities and challenges women entrepreneurs face in Ethiopia. "Fundamentally we believe that investing in women is a smart development policy and its smart business. It is also in our security interests because women when they are empowered they foster peace and stability and we have seen this play out time and time again," she said. On the same occasion, Ms. Trump announced an award of a $260K loan provided by Enat Bank to help Azalech Tesfaye Owner of Azalech Coffee Roasting, Grinding and Packaging to expand her business, an award made possible as part of the US government’s initiative to help women in business.
Ivanka Trump has also met and discussed with Ethiopia’s President Sahle-Work Zewde, during which President Sahle-Work and Ms. Trump “affirmed their shared belief that women’s economic empowerment is not only an economic issue, but also a security priority,” the US Embassy in Ethiopia announced.
Ivanka Trump is visiting Ethiopia mainly with the intent of advancing women’s participation in the workplace. The initiative, dubbed Women’s Global Development and Prosperity (W-GDP), was launched in February, 2019, aiming to train women worldwide to help them get well-paying jobs.
Top Image: Ivanka Trump with Sara Abera, founder of Muya Ethiopia (L to R, sitting)
Sources: US Embassy in Ethiopia, Ivanka Trump's Tweeter Page, BBC, Africa News
Image Source: US Embassy in Ethiopia
