TechnoServe and the elea Foundation Launch Smart Souks Program to Empower 300 Micro-Retailers in Addis Ababa
A three-year initiative designed to enhance business skills, boost revenues by 30%, facilitate access to finance, and expand digital tools for micro-retail entrepreneurs in Ethiopia.
ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA (September 22, 2026) – TechnoServe announced the launch of the Smart Souks Program in partnership with the elea Foundation for Ethics in Globalization in the Ethiopian capital today.
This three-year initiative is designed to transform and digitize 300 micro-retail businesses (souks) in Addis Ababa, driving financial inclusion and sustainable economic growth while indirectly benefiting over 900 livelihoods.
“Micro-retailers are essential drivers of job creation and neighborhood commerce across Addis Ababa,” said Lejalem Adamu, manager of the Smart Souks Project at TechnoServe. “By combining practical coaching, digital tools, and financial access, the Smart Souks Program will empower entrepreneurs to grow resilient businesses, build economic security for their families, and contribute to a vibrant, digitized micro-retail sector across Ethiopia.”
Micro-retailers form the backbone of local economies in Ethiopia, providing essential goods and services to urban communities. However, many micro-retailers face significant hurdles, including limited business management knowledge and skills, constrained access to formal credit, fragmented supply chains, and low adoption of digital technologies.
Adapting TechnoServe’s proven Smart Duka model implemented in Kenya, the Smart Souks Program equips micro-retailers with practical business training, one-on-one mentorship, direct linkages to financial service providers, and digital shop-management tools.
Participating micro-retailers will:
- Improve Business Practices: Enable at least 80% of participating micro-retailers to adopt improved business and financial management practices.
- Increase Revenue and Profitability: Achieve an average 30% growth in business revenue and drive sustainable profitability.
- Enjoy Better Access to Finance: Connect 50% of participants to formal loans and financial services through partnerships with local banks, microfinance institutions and SACCOs.
- Create Jobs and Improve Resilience: Facilitate the creation of 50 new jobs while helping 70% of participating retailers sustain operations, diversify revenue streams, and build long-term business resilience.
Working closely with the Addis Ababa City Administration Labor and Skills Bureau, key private-sector partners, and sector associations, the program will establish scalable mechanisms to strengthen the broader micro-retail ecosystem. Lessons from the pilot will also inform potential regional expansion of micro-retail models across East Africa.
“The informal retail sector is the backbone of daily economic life across Ethiopia, supporting millions of livelihoods and connecting communities to essential goods. At elea, we believe that strengthening this sector, through initiatives like the Smart Souks Program, is fundamental to inclusive economic development. We are excited to build on nearly a decade of learnings from our Smart Duka program and our trusted partnership with TechnoServe in Kenya, bringing a proven model to Ethiopia to help micro-retailers create jobs, strengthen livelihoods, and drive broader economic growth.”
Get Involved & Learn More:
To learn more about the Smart Souks Program, explore partnership opportunities, or access media assets and project insights, please visit technoserve.org or contact the media representatives listed above.
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About TechnoServe
Founded in 1968, TechnoServe is a leader in harnessing the power of the private sector to help people lift themselves out of poverty for good. A non-profit organization working in around 35 countries, we work with people to build a better future through regenerative farms, businesses, and markets that increase incomes. Our vision is a sustainable world where all people in low-income communities have the opportunity to prosper.
Twitter: @TechnoServe | Facebook: @TechnoServe | LinkedIn: @TechnoServe
About elea Foundation for Ethics in Globalization
elea fights absolute poverty with entrepreneurial means. As an active philanthropic impact investor, elea supports impact entrepreneurs and their ventures in the post-startup and growth phase in combining long-term economic success with sustainable, measurable impact. To this end, elea provides its portfolio companies not only with capital, but also with business know-how, coaching, and access to the global elea network. As such, elea sees itself as a growing community of committed entrepreneurs and philanthropic investors.
Instagram: @elea | Facebook: @elea | LinkedIn: @elea
Notes to Editors
Media Contact:
- Addis Ababa – Lejalem Adamu; +251911055259; ladamu@tns.org
- Washington – Trishna Gurung; +1 202 785 4515; tgurung@tns.org