Bruh Ethiopia 2018 National Business Innovation Idea Competition Kicks Off

  The Ministry of Labor and Skills (MoLS), in collaboration with the Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI) ,SNV and Mercy Corps launched the sixth round of the Bruh Ethiopia 2018 National Business Innovation Idea Competition in Bishoftu.

The official opening ceremony, held on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, marks the start of the transformative "Train, Compete, Reward" program, aimed at empowering 242 youths who have advanced through rigorous selection rounds across the country.

While officially opening the competition, H.E. Solomon Soka, State Minister of MoLS, emphasized that the initiative goes beyond competition; it establishes procedures to ensure the generated business ideas are successfully implemented.

He added that the program is crucial for tackling the challenges facing youth by supporting their positive contribution to the national economy. Hassen Hussien (PhD), CEO of EDI, echoed this sentiment, stating that the program ultimately aims to alleviate Ethiopia's challenges by bolstering the full economic potential of its youth through supporting youth-led solutions.

This initiative is built upon a strong foundation of success. Since its inception six years ago, the Bruh Ethiopia competition has received a remarkable 12,548 business ideas. To date, 1,350 innovative concepts have been recognized and rewarded, with 580 successfully transitioning into operational startups. These youth-led enterprises have collectively generated over 30,000 job opportunities, demonstrating the program’s vital role in national development. The program is specifically designed to foster equitable benefit and inclusiveness by promoting self-reliance and local solutions to national challenges.

The 6th round will be executed in a dedicated boot camp format, running for the next ten days. The core of this transformative program is the empowerment of participants, who will receive intensive entrepreneurship training, mentorship services, business networking, and valuable boot camp experience. The program's objectives include cultivating innovative solutions, developing a culture of problem-solving and risk-taking, and enhancing youth participation in technology-supported innovation. High-potential winners will receive recognition and crucial financial support by being connected with select banks.

Bruh Ethiopia 2018 is a national effort to enhance the economic capacity and innovative ideas of youth, women, and youth with disabilities, contributing significantly to the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and the private sector.