Debora Ebba

Pioneered women's economic empowerment in Africa through entrepreneurship initiatives

Debora Ebba (b. 1948) is a visionary Ethiopian entrepreneur and social activist who has profoundly impacted women's economic participation across Africa. As founder of the Women's Entrepreneurship Development (WED) initiative launched in 1989, she created Africa's first continent-wide network supporting female business leaders. Her work established over 1500 microfinance cooperatives and training centers by 2000, empowering 50,000+ women to start businesses in sectors like agriculture, textiles, and renewable energy.

Ms. Ebba's approach combined traditional knowledge with modern business practices, developing culturally appropriate training programs that emphasized cooperative models. Her 1995 report Women as Economic Agents of Change became a foundational text for gender-focused development policies. In 1998, she pioneered the African Women's Trade Fair, connecting entrepreneurs with international buyers and securing $20M in export contracts annually.

Her legacy includes the African Enterprise Institute established in 1999, which continues to provide leadership training and access to global markets. UN reports cite her work as instrumental in increasing women's business ownership in East Africa from 12% to 34% between 1990-2000.