The African Development Bank (AfDB) has partnered with non-profit organisation Invest in Africa (IIA) to launch a groundbreaking initiative designed to generate green employment opportunities in Ghana and Senegal.
The $850,000 grant, signed on Tuesday, will support the MicroGREEN project, which targets women, youth, and people with disabilities working in agroforestry, fisheries, and biodiversity conservation.
The project, formally titled “Strengthening micro-entrepreneurship of women, youth and people with disabilities for green jobs in the natural resources sector,” aims to create up to 500 climate-resilient jobs.
It is funded through the AfDB’s Fund for African Private Sector Assistance (FAPA) and complemented by a $1 million contribution from the Bank’s Multi-Donor Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation Trust Fund, set to support the initiative over two years.
“These sectors hold significant potential for sustainable employment, yet women and youth remain largely underrepresented,” an AfDB statement highlighted. “By increasing participation in green industries, we can accelerate inclusive and resilient economic development across the continent.”
The FAPA grant specifically finances the project’s “Capacity Development and Value Chain Improvement” component, addressing long-standing barriers faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana and Senegal.
High costs of business development services, coupled with systemic gender and socioeconomic challenges, often prevent women- and youth-led businesses from accessing essential training and mentorship.
Through MicroGREEN, participants will receive tailored entrepreneurship training, mentoring, and guidance on integrating their ventures into green value chains, strengthening their ability to contribute to local economies and the wider African green transition.
Invest in Africa will implement the programme, leveraging its expertise in facilitating market access, skill development, and financing for African SMEs.
FAPA, a multi-donor trust fund primarily supported by the Japanese government, has funded over 100 projects in 38 African countries, providing more than $80 million to improve business environments and foster private sector growth.
By focusing on micro-entrepreneurship in green sectors, the AfDB hopes to cultivate a new generation of climate-conscious business leaders while promoting sustainable development in West Africa.
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