Case story: New Niches and Novel Enterprises

Gore, a town in southwestern Ethiopia, located in the Metu–Gore–Tepi montane moist forest ecosystem, in Ale district, Illubabor Zone, Oromia Region, is known for its honey. The town’s prime location, high altitude of 2085 metres (6,841 feet), as well as diverse flora, makes it ideal for beekeeping, which has historically been practised using traditional methods. In 2020, the More Young Entrepreneurs in Silk and Honey (MOYESH) project started implementing activities in Ale district, including in Gore. A partnership between the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (www.icipe.org), and the Mastercard Foundation’s Young Africa Works, the five-year initiative aims to see 100,000 young men and women in Ethiopia secure dignified and fulfilling work along honey and silk value chains. Through the MOYESH project, modern beekeeping technologies have been introduced in Ale district. In addition to the direct benefits, for example improved production of bee products such as honey, the MOYESH project has opened up new opportunities for entrepreneurs in the beekeeping value chain. Below, we tell the stories of two entreprises in Gore town that have established niches in providing protective beekeeping clothing and in the production of modern hives for the emerging beekeeping enterprises in the district and beyond.

Protective beekeeping clothing enterprise

In 2016, Mr Gemechis Abera, then aged 28 years, established a micro enterprise known as Gemechis, Tigist and Friends, in Gore town, Ale district, Illubabor Zone, Oromia Region. He did so with an initial capital of ETB 40,000 (USD 1,600) from the Ale district job creation office. In the beginning, the enterprise focused on general tailoring, targeting a local female and male clientelle. Read more