African Development Bank and Invest in Africa launch $850K MicroGREEN project for green jobs in Ghana and Senegal
![AfDB and Invest in Africa seal $850K grant for the MicroGREEN project. [photo credit: African Development Bank Group (AfDB) ]](http://ourdailynewsonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/c5f4ef54d2b3808d83b5982d92370747.jpeg)
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has signed an $850,000 grant agreement with Invest in Africa (IIA) to implement the MicroGREEN project, aimed at generating up to 500 green jobs for marginalized and vulnerable groups in Ghana and Senegal. The initiative, officially titled Strengthening Women, Youth, and People with Disabilities’ Micro-Entrepreneurship for Green Jobs in Natural Resources, will focus on high-potential, climate-resilient sectors such as agroforestry, fisheries, and biodiversity conservation.
Funded through the Bank’s Fund for African Private Sector Assistance (FAPA), the project also benefits from a $1 million commitment from the Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation Multi-Donor Trust Fund, covering a two-year implementation period.
Boosting women and youth participation in Africa’s green economy
Women and youth remain underrepresented in Africa’s sustainable growth industries, despite the potential for inclusive and resilient economic development. Employment-intensive green sectors can provide a pathway to sustainable livelihoods if equipped with a skilled workforce capable of managing ecosystems and deploying innovative green technologies.
The FAPA grant will fund the Capacity Development and Value Chain Enhancement component of MicroGREEN, addressing barriers faced by SMEs in fragile economies such as Ghana and Senegal. These include limited access to entrepreneurship training, costly business development services, and gender-based socio-economic challenges that restrict women- and youth-led enterprises.
Entrepreneurship training and value chain integration
The MicroGREEN project will deliver tailored entrepreneurship training, business development support, and mentorship for women, youth, and people with disabilities in agriculture-based industries. By integrating micro-enterprises into green value chains, the project aims to stimulate local job creation while promoting inclusive participation in Africa’s green economy.
Invest in Africa will lead project implementation, leveraging its expertise in market access, skills development, and finance facilitation for SMEs. FAPA, primarily funded by the Government of Japan, has supported over 100 projects in 38 African countries, investing more than $80 million to strengthen business environments, deepen financial systems, and foster SME growth.
