Addis Ababa is one of the fastest growing cities in Africa, but there are significant numbers of people being left behind. Women’s culturally defined roles limit their opportunities and pathways out of poverty. Young people are hindered by an urban youth population that is growing faster than job creation. The result is sustained high levels of poverty and disgruntled youth, which fuels social instability.
The Livelihoods Improvement for Women and Youth (LIWAY) programme aims to contribute to sustainable poverty reduction and social stability in Addis Ababa by increasing incomes through improved wage and self-employment opportunities.
Programme targets
Focus Systems

Micro & small
enterprise (mse)
system
Reducing barriers to business entry and growth and stimulating innovation

Medium & large
enterprise (mle)
system
Creating more and higher paying jobs through growth of medium and large manufacturers

Skills
system
Improving skills development to unlock wage and self-employment opportunities
Some stand out results to date
# Of target group with increased incomes through employment
# Of new businesses established
# of enterprises with improved processes
# Of improved skills service providers and users
View latest results
LIWAY programme results overview 2022 (March 2023)
- All
- Labour System
- MSE System
- Skills System