Hanan Ahmed, a local entrepreneur, speaks at the graduation ceremony of the Global Female Entrepreneurship Empowerment Program workshop in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, on Dec. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Fangqiang)
ADDIS ABABA, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Hanan Ahmed, one of the 66 Ethiopian entrepreneurs who attended the China-supported Global Female Entrepreneurship Empowerment Program (GFEEP) workshop in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, completed the program with a sense of accomplishment and newly acquired skills in business management, innovation, leadership and systematic thinking.
The two-week event, which concluded on Saturday, focused on strategic business thinking, digital literacy, modern business models, and key entrepreneurial skills. It also served as a platform for participants to share knowledge and experiences and to build professional networks.
The GFEEP is a capacity-building initiative led by Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) targeting female entrepreneurs from developing countries. The workshop in Ethiopia was organized by BFSU in collaboration with China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) Ethiopia.
Ahmed, founder and chief executive officer of Han's With Care, a local company manufacturing sanitary pads in Ethiopia, said the training was "enlightening and game-changing."
"I have participated in many training programs, but this one was different. It helped me understand why the Chinese are number one in the world. It is because they have a unique system and strategy for doing business. I learned new techniques, new innovations, and how I can integrate business innovation and artificial intelligence (AI) into my business," she told Xinhua.
According to Ahmed, the workshop stood out for its practical focus, including sessions on the effective use of AI, promoting products and services on social media platforms, and building business linkages with companies operating in China and other parts of the world.
Mulu Kemal, a local female entrepreneur who exports injera, a staple food in Ethiopia, said she gained significantly from the workshop, which helped her develop a more proactive business mindset.
"The training covered essential skills such as business management, innovation, leadership and many others. It was all-inclusive. Before taking the training, my business approach was very traditional and intuitive," Kemal said.
Despite being a mother of two and managing multiple responsibilities at the office, Kemal did not miss any of the training sessions. She said the program inspired her to introduce structural changes in her business operations, including extending her products' shelf life through innovative vacuum-sealed packaging and optimized logistics, as well as promoting products through e-commerce platforms and social media storytelling.
Maheder Adimasu, an operations manager at a local food company, said participation in the workshop was highly beneficial in helping businesses adapt to a changing environment.
"The training was in-depth and helped me reconsider ways to improve our marketing strategies and strengthen our supply chains," Adimasu told Xinhua after the graduation ceremony held on Saturday.
Commending the participants for their dedication and active engagement throughout the workshop, Hu Ruomei, course leader of the program, said it was a "brilliant testament" to what China-Africa cooperation can achieve through joint efforts.
"You did not just join the workshop; you turned this training into a one-of-a-kind work of art. Your meticulous care, sharp organizational skills and persistent drive to deliver results are the strengths that make women extraordinary entrepreneurs," Hu said. ■
Hu Ruomei (R), course leader of the Global Female Entrepreneurship Empowerment Program workshop, takes a photo with a trainee at the graduation ceremony in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, on Dec. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Fangqiang)