NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

A new climate innovation centre which aims to help jumpstart clean technology and climate-smart ventures has been launched in Ethiopia.

Called the Ethiopia Climate Innovation Center (ECIC), it is expected to help more than 3.1 million people increase resilience to climate change and create more than 12,000 jobs in the next 10 years.

ECIC will provide financing, mentorship and advisory services to local cleantech entrepreneurs working in energy efficiency, renewable energy, agribusiness and biofuels. A total of 28 SMEs and entrepreneurs have currently been selected to receive CIC support services.

The initiative is also expected to improve access to energy for 265,000 Ethiopians and increase agricultural efficiency for 120,000 farmers.