Enterprise Development
We see enterprises as engines of inclusive growth and transformation. Supporting businesses is not only about providing technical assistance or capital, but about nurturing the ecosystems in which they operate: markets, policies, skills, and networks. We believe in catalyzing the potential of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by blending finance, innovation, and capacity development so they can scale, create jobs, and build resilient communities. Our approach goes beyond individual enterprises to reshape systems, enabling entrepreneurship to thrive as a driver of sustainable prosperity.
What We Do:
- Business Development Services (BDS): We design and deliver customized BDS packages that combine advisory, mentorship, and digital tools to strengthen MSME competitiveness, improve management practices, and connect them with financial institutions.
- Market Systems Development (MSD): We apply MSD approaches to address systemic barriers in value chains, ensuring enterprises, especially women and youth-led businesses, can participate in and benefit from dynamic, inclusive markets.
- Digital Enterprise Solutions: Through platforms like AWAQI, our digital BDS platform, and other digital innovations, we deliver enterprise support at scale, providing MSMEs with access to learning, networking, and market opportunities.
- Enterprise Financing Models: We co-design financing mechanisms, including blended finance instruments and risk-sharing facilities, that unlock credit, leasing, and investment opportunities for enterprises in the “missing middle.
- Policy and Ecosystem Support: We engage with government and industry stakeholders to influence policy, regulatory frameworks, and market infrastructure, ensuring enterprises operate in an enabling and predictable business environment.
The BRIDGES Programme: 2019–2024
Implemented in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, the BRIDGES programme supported 595,000 youth jobs by providing tailored Business Development Services (BDS) to both new and existing enterprises, workforce development and access to finance. The program delivered intensive training on strategic planning, competitor analysis, and operational standardization, complemented by workshops and 3–6 months of personalized coaching. One key intervention paired existing enterprises with field supervisors and advisors, resulting in sustained growth of 525 enterprises across various sectors. The Training-of-Trainers (TOT) model further enhanced local capacity, empowering facilitators to extend BDS delivery and create a ripple effect.
Enterprise Partners implemented as a consortium for the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, focused on market systems development in the cotton, leather, and horticulture sectors. In cotton, FC promoted improved seeds and contract farming to boost productivity. In leather, it partnered with stakeholders to enhance tannery finishing and footwear production for export. In horticulture, FC expanded localized seedling production through satellite nurseries and market agents. The program created 45,000 jobs and mobilized hundreds of millions in investments, strengthening supply chains and integrating MSMEs into larger value chains.
Powered by a passionate team of 150 experts and a network of trusted partners, FC has ignited the growth of over 380,000 enterprises, channeling a staggering USD 403 million in investments and unlocking USD 150 million in vital credit. Our enterprise development approach supports startups, MSMEs, and large businesses with tailored solutions, including entrepreneurial training, market entry strategies, productivity boosts, and strategic guidance.
FC’s Business Development Services offer intensive training in financial literacy, market linkages, and compliance, complemented by three to six months of hands-on coaching. Working closely with financial institutions and local partners, we help build scalable, resilient businesses that thrive even in conflict-affected regions.
Our relationship-driven approach goes beyond tools by connecting entrepreneurs to the right networks and opportunities to ensure sustainable growth.
Knowledge Pieces
Other Publications
Interest-Free Banking in Ethiopia – An Analysis of Product Offerings and Market Adoption
Programmes
