UNIDO launches the first Creative Hub in Ethiopia to support creative industries and entrepreneurship

June 07, 2021

The Ethiopian Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoTI), the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), UNIDO and the Federal Small and Medium Manufacturing Industry Promotion Authority (FeSMMIPA) have inaugurated the “Creative Hub Ethiopia”. The Hub has been realized within the framework of the UNIDO project “Phase 2 (Extension) of the Technical Assistance Project for the Up-Grading of the Ethiopian Leather and Leather Products Industry” financed by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS).

The Creative Hub has been designed with the intent to foster innovation and economic development by promoting creativity, digitalization and knowledge sharing. The facilities – located within FeSMMIPA premises in the heart of Addis Ababa – have been equipped with advanced machineries and include co-working areas, laboratories and a coffee space. The Hub will enable a wide range of services to designers and innovative entrepreneurs such as seminars and workshops, trainings, prototyping techniques, social events, and networking sessions. Moreover, it will offer the possibility to access to digital instruments (such as 3D printers, laser cutters, digital library etc.) and will encourage digital payments with the newly-launched “Telebirr”.

The Creative Hub Ethiopia puts creativity at the centre of every decision-making process, as a key to understanding and interpreting the global market and its evolutions. It will be a suitable platform for existing micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), as well as operators (especially women-owned companies, operators in design, leather, fashion, textile, others) to promote products development, sales activity and services, as well as to experiment new solutions and sharing experiences.

The contribution of the new generations is of paramount importance for mitigating the impact of COVID-19 pandemic and rapidly re-inventing a “new normal”, fostered by the digital transformation and knowledge sharing.

For further information contact Andrea De Marco (A.demarco@unido.org).

Creative hub website: www.creativehub.et
Source: www.unido.org
Facebook: Creative Hub Ethiopia
Twitter: @creativehubet