UNDP Ethiopia

02/09/2026

Call for applications - Inclusive Insurance Challenge Fund 2026

Background
Despite steady growth in premium volumes, insurance remains one of the least developed segments of Ethiopia’s financial sector, with pe*******on at approximately 0.3% of GDP, well below the African average of 3.6% and the global average of 6.5%. UNDP, through its Insurance and Risk Finance Facility (IRFF) initiative, seeks to address these challenges by fostering sustainable, scalable, and commercially viable insurance solutions. Building on this, UNDP Ethiopia, in partnership with Microinsurance Master, has launched the 2026 Insurance Innovation Challenge Fund (IICF) to develop inclusive insurance solutions, expand market reach, and address protection gaps for underserved communities across five priority focus areas: micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME), health, women, biodiversity, and life insurance.

Objective of the IICF
The overall objective of the Insurance Innovation Challenge is to leverage insurance and risk financing to protect lives, livelihoods, and assets, contributing to economic growth and resilience in Ethiopia. More specifically, the Insurance Innovation Challenge aims to: 1. Identify and support insurance solutions for underserved markets, with priority focus areas of MSME, Health, Women, Biodiversity, and Life Insurance.

2. Promote innovative, inclusive insurance models that target underserved populations, leveraging technology, new distribution channels, and partnerships.

3. Enable local insurers and private sector actors to develop and implement tailored products and services.

4. Share insights and create guidance materials to support the replication of successful models in Ethiopia and beyond.

Who can participate
Eligible participants include the following institution types: • Regulated insurers and microinsurers: NBE-licensed insurance companies and microinsurance providers, including bancassurance agents and brokers, with existing or proposed inclusive insurance solutions requiring acceleration or market expansion. • Microfinance institutions and SACCOs: institutions with an established distribution footprint among low-income and rural populations, positioned to embed or distribute microinsurance products. • InsurTech, FinTech, AgriTech, and HealthTech ventures: technology-enabled startups developing digital distribution, underwriting, claims, or risk-assessment tools relevant to inclusive insurance. Applicants without an insurance license will provide evidence of access to a credible underwriter (insurer). • Social enterprises and community-based innovators: early-stage organizations and community-based innovators developing solutions that address insurance access barriers for underserved populations, including women-led and rural initiatives. • Independent innovation teams: individuals or teams with innovative concepts for inclusive insurance products, distribution models, customer engagement solutions, or enabling technology. Applicants without an insurance license will provide evidence of access to a credible underwriter (insurer).

Selection criteria
• Evidence of market research and customer understanding: the proposed solutions must be at least at tested-prototype stage, or already launched and ready to scale, and must represent a fresh idea addressing a real market problem. • Innovative approach to demonstrated market need across five priority focus areas: micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME), health, women, biodiversity, and life insurance. • Feasibility within Ethiopia's market and regulatory context. • Commercial and operational viability; scalability and sustainability beyond the initial support. • Women-led teams and innovators based outside Addis Ababa are strongly encouraged to apply.

Shortlisted participants will be invited to attend the information sessions and webinars below as part of Hackathon preparation.

• Information Sharing Session 1: Overview of the Innovation Challenge and guidance on the application to be held on Wednesday, 7 October 2026

• Upfront Webinar 1: Introduction to the Inclusive Insurance Landscape and Regulatory Dynamics, to be held on Tuesday, 13 October 2026

• Information Sharing Session 2: Product, Market and Regulatory Dynamics on Tuesday, 20 October 2026

• Upfront Webinar 2: Preparing for Customer Research, to be held on Tuesday, 3 November 2026

Methodology of the IICF
Shortlisted Participants will enter a Hackathon-style accelerator, gaining Intensive training, mentorship, and an opportunity to win an award. Prior to the Hackathon, participants will attend a series of information sessions to build capacity to understand inclusive insurance in Ethiopia, the regulatory frameworks governing it, and how to engage customers through research and testing. The hackathon will then serve as a platform for crowdsourcing innovative ideas, both new and existing, from a diverse group of participants. The collaborative nature of a hackathon will enable participants to co-create solutions to specific challenges in Ethiopia’s insurance sector. The 2026 Insurance Innovation Challenge will be implemented using the timelines below.

Activity Period
Application period : 2-16 September 2026
Virtual information sessions and webinars: 7 October - 3 November 2026
Screening, shortlisting, and onboarding : 16-28 September 2026
Five-day in-person hackathon and pitch day: 23-27 November 2026
Post-hackathon mentorship and monitoring of winners: December 2026-May 2027

Participants will have access to intensive accelerator training, one-on-one mentorship from industry experts, regulatory guidance from the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE), and an award of USD 15,000 in flexible support for the first-place winning solutions, alongside post-hackathon support, to refine prototypes and prepare for regulatory sandbox entry and market launch.

Expected Outcomes
1. Pipeline of Innovative Solutions: A robust pipeline of insurance solutions that are scalable, sustainable, and designed to meet the unique needs of the Ethiopian market

2. Capacity Building: Enhanced capacity of local insurance companies, intermediaries, and insur-techs to scale innovative products and services.

3. Case Studies and Best Practices: Development of case studies and best practices that can be shared globally, encouraging replication and scaling of successful solutions.

4. Partnership and collaboration platforms: Avenues for interaction, identification and creation of partnerships that can further enhance the insurance sector.

The Application Process
To apply for the innovation challenge Hackathon, applicants must follow these steps

Step 1. Fill in the application submission template in English using the guidance provided in the submission criteria

Step 2. Sign the declaration form(s)

Step 3. Record a 2-minute short video with your phone/ camera, providing a summary of your innovation, what needs it addresses, how it works and why you should be selected for this innovation challenge

Step 4. Upload all documents (company registrations, etc) in English to the link provided link

***The application period will run from 2 September 2026 until 16 September 2026. Late submissions received after the deadline will not be considered.

UNDP Sustainable Insurance Forum (SIF) Microinsurance Master

Watch the story of Jamii.one, Ethiopia, winner of the 2025 Inclusive Insurance Challenge Fund Hackathon https://bit.ly/3Sl59XS

24/08/2026

UNDP has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Oromia Sovereign Fund OSF (OSF) to explore partnership opportunities that can drive sustainable investment and inclusive economic transformation in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia.

The OSF, the investment arm of the Oromia Regional State, manages a diversified portfolio comprising more than 47 state-owned enterprises and equity interests in more than 25 companies operating in the region.

Under the MoU, UNDP and OSF will identify opportunities to translate regional development priorities into bankable, -aligned investments, particularly in the green economy, renewable energy, MSMEs, youth, and women-led enterprises.

The partnership will also explore opportunities to strengthen OSF's institutional capacity and governance, advance sustainable finance and investment readiness, and connect local businesses to broader regional markets through the African Continental Free Trade Area ( ) and innovation platforms such as UNDP's initiative.

This engagement reflects UNDP's ongoing commitment to leveraging private sector partnerships to accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals in Ethiopia.

Adare Assefa

24/08/2026

UNDP explores SDG-aligned partnership opportunities with Oromia Sovereign Fund

UNDP has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Sovereign Fund OSF (OSF) to explore partnership opportunities that can drive sustainable investment and inclusive economic transformation in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia.

The OSF, the investment arm of the Oromia Regional State, manages a diversified portfolio comprising more than 47 state-owned enterprises and equity interests in more than 25 companies operating in the region.

Under the MoU, UNDP and OSF will identify opportunities to translate regional development priorities into bankable, -aligned investments, particularly in the green economy, renewable energy, MSMEs, youth, and women-led enterprises.

The partnership will also explore opportunities to strengthen OSF's institutional capacity and governance, advance sustainable finance and investment readiness, and connect local businesses to broader regional markets through the African Continental Free Trade Area ( ) and innovation platforms such as UNDP's initiative.

This engagement reflects UNDP's ongoing commitment to leveraging private sector partnerships to accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals in Ethiopia.

Adare Assefa

19/06/2026

Applications are open for the second cohorts to join an intensive 10-day bootcamp at the AI UniPod 📢

We are looking for 25 early-stage AI founders in who are building solutions in Agriculture, Education, Finance, Health, or Tourism.

🚀Time to take your working prototype to the next level and become investor ready.

📅 Application Deadline: June 27, 2026

Women founders are highly encouraged to apply.

Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute timbuktoo Africa UNDP Africa

Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute- የኢትዮጵያ አርቲፊሻል ኢንተለጀንስ ኢንስቲትዩት

21/05/2026

Vacancy notice - We are looking to hire a Project Manager to work in .

Details 👉https://bit.ly/4tRDtq2

15/05/2026

የልምምድ ( የኢንተርንሺፕ) ስራ ዕድሎች

አመልክቱ https://bit.ly/43aZ9SZ

13/05/2026

The selected intern will support UNDP’s integrated development portfolio and benefit from exposure across programmes, operations, and partnerships.

Openings

UNDP has the following internship openings available for 2026 in the following projects, units or initiatives:

Partnership management
Administration and Logistics (2 Internships)
AI University Innovation Pod (2 Internships)
Timbuktoo ManuTech Hub
Innovative Finance Lab
Communication
Operational data analytics and digitalization
Election support
Monitoring and Evaluation of climate projects
Knowledge management of the support to the National demobilization and Reintegration
Peacebuilding

Read more and apply here https://bit.ly/43aZ9SZ

25/03/2026

In Gerealta woreda, one of the post-conflict areas in northern Ethiopia, the rehabilitation of court and police station buildings has been vital to restoring functionality, law and order, and public trust.

Before rehabilitation, the justice system in Gerealta was under immense strain. The woreda faced 300 active cases, handled 3,000–4,000 cases annually, and managed 76 active criminal files, including land disputes and family cases related to child support.
Poor infrastructure placed additional pressure on judges and contributed to delays, limiting access to justice for the community.

Today, the Woreda Central Court and police station have been fully rehabilitated by local authorities, with a new block containing three furnished rooms. This upgrade provides staff with a functional, professional environment—boosting case management efficiency, improving public services, and increasing community trust.

Another key facility rehabilitated in Gerealta is Baeti Akor Primary School, which serves 1,268 students and employs 33 teachers.

Through collaboration between local authorities and partners, classrooms were rebuilt and school-feeding programmes strengthened.

In addition, with support from UNDP’s Peace Support Facility, a new classroom block has also been added for 200 kindergarten students, expanding access to early learning.

Beyond justice and education, 194 people, including 111 women and 83 youth, have received business training and 65,000 ETB grants to start small enterprises such as beekeeping, coffee shops, and retail businesses, contributing to local economic recovery.

Gerealta stands as good example where stabilization efforts by UNDP’s Peace Support Facility, with generous support from the governments of , , and the , are helping local authorities deliver tangible recovery results through a sequenced and locally led approach.

German Embassy Addis Ababa Japan - The Government of Japan Embassy of the Netherlands in Ethiopia

Tigray Recovery and Reconstruction Coordination Office

23/03/2026

What does it actually take to scale a business in 🌍?

Join us this Thursday, 26 March 2026, for a practical, experience-driven session bringing together founders, ecosystem players, and industry leaders to tackle this question, and share their thoughts on:
🎯
Real scaling journeys from African founders
Hard truths about production, capital, and market expansion
What investors and ecosystems actually look for

Register 👉 https://bit.ly/4rKSKYz

✅If you are a manufacturing founder ready to grow your business; an ecosystem builder driving industrialization; or a partner shaping Africa's economic future.

📍https://maps.app.goo.gl/9QRF99oVxXUiaZg29
🗓 Thursday, 26 March 2026
⏰ 2:30 PM – 5:30 PM (EAT)

19/03/2026

Building resilience - With support from United Nations Development Programme - UNDP's partners, including , & the Republic of , communities are rebuilding lives and turning crisis into lasting recovery. .

Across , recovery is driven by people’s resilience.

With support from United Nations Development Programme - UNDP's partners including , & the Republic of , communities are rebuilding lives and turning crisis into lasting recovery. .

Read more: https://bit.ly/4sotvws