Strengthening Agribusiness Investment through Public-Private Dialogue

The dialogues are major steps to improve agribusiness investment in the Sidama region.

The Institutional Architecture Assessment (IAA) and other assessments conducted by C4FS indicated that the private sector is often excluded from policymaking process. The main reasons for this are the top-down approach of the policymaking process in Ethiopia and the weak capacity of the private sector to influence policy. Hence, C4FS is targeting the private sector as a key stakeholder and supporting to build their policy leadership capacity to increase their policy advocacy through Public Private Dialogue (PPD) and other approaches. The below success story from Sidama region is a testimony to how C4FS support is changing the role of the private sector beyond making business and to be engaged in decision making and strategic approaches to address issues affecting the private sector.

C4FS and the Sidama Regional State Chamber of Commerce Sectorial Association (SRCCSA) conducted a series of successful Public-Private Agribusiness Investment Dialogues (PPAD) as a major step to improve agribusiness investment in the Sidama region.  The initiative aimed to address key challenges in the agribusiness sector, focusing on three major commodities—coffee, avocado, and soybeans.

Demeke Defaro, CEO of the Sidama Region Chamber of Commerce Sectoral Association

On August 6, 2024, a full-day forum in Hawassa brought together government officials, private sector stakeholders, and experts to review the findings of a comprehensive Agricultural Investment Climate Survey. This survey, conducted by SRCCSA and GIZ, highlighted critical policy gaps and investment opportunities in the region.

The dialogue provided the coffee, avocado, and soybean industries a platform to discuss systemic and structural policy issues in the sectors. Policy gaps such as weak regulation, lack of market access, and insufficient financial support were discussed, leading to actionable solutions.

SRCCSA and C4FS have developed an action plan based on the discussions, ensuring continuous public-private dialogue on agribusiness investment policies. As part of implementing action points from the dialogue, the SRCCSA has also signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the responsible government bureau to develop market standards for avocado.

“This initiative demonstrates how public-private partnerships can foster sustainable growth in agribusiness, making a lasting impact on the economic development of the Sidama region,” said one participant.

Expressing his appreciation for C4FS's continued support in improving the Chamber of Commerce's engagement, Demeke Defaro, CEO of the Sidama Region Chamber of Commerce Sectoral Association, said that Chambers of Commerce have become key contributors to the policy decision-making process on agriculture.

“There is a clear shift from a purely business-oriented focus to a more engaged approach in leadership and agricultural policy issues, thanks to C4FS's interventions,” Demeke said during the August forum. Since the event, C4FS has been supporting the Sidama region through facilitating different dialogues and providing training to key policy actors.