The African Development Bank has signed an $850,000 grant agreement with Invest in Africa (IIA) to implement the MicroGREEN project, which aims to create up to 500 green jobs in Ghana and Senegal. The initiative, officially named “Strengthening Women, Youth, and People with Disabilities’ Micro-Entrepreneurship for Green Jobs in Natural Resources,” focuses on agroforestry, fisheries, and biodiversity conservation. It is funded by the Bank’s Fund for African Private Sector Assistance (FAPA) and supplemented by a $1 million grant from its Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation Multi-Donor Trust Fund.
These sectors offer significant potential for climate-resilient employment, yet women, youth, and people with disabilities remain underrepresented. The project aims to address socio-economic and gender-based barriers by providing high-quality entrepreneurship training, tailored business development services, and mentorship programs. The project will emphasise integrating micro and small enterprises into green value chains to enhance local job creation and sustainable economic growth.
As the implementing partner, investing in Africa will leverage its expertise in supporting African SMEs through market access, skills development, and improved access to finance. The initiative targets challenges confronting small and medium businesses in fragile economies, where limited access to training and high service costs limit growth.
FAPA, primarily funded by the Government of Japan, has supported over 100 projects in 38 African countries, investing more than $80 million to strengthen private sector development. This project aligns with the Bank’s strategy to build inclusive, resilient, and environmentally sustainable African economies.
