Driving Job Creation for Youth and Women in the Middle East and North Africa
The Green Growth and Jobs Accelerator has launched its first four accelerator cohorts across Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, and Jordan.July, 2024 – Amman, Jordan: Smart irrigation systems, extraction of essential oils and medicinal plants, and AI-driven waste management incentives. These are just some of the solutions being developed by the companies selected for the newly launched Green Growth and Jobs Accelerator.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Danish-Arab Partnership Programme (DAPP) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, has launched this four-year initiative. It aims to support the sustainable growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, and Jordan. SMEs are a cornerstone of MENA economies, accounting for over 90% of all businesses. With the right support and access to capital, SMEs can be a major source of sustainable and digital innovation, green growth, and not least, job creation. The Green Growth and Jobs Accelerator will support established entrepreneurs and SMEs to accelerate green growth in their businesses and support the local transition to a green and sustainable economy with a strong focus on creating decent jobs for women and youth.
Through the Green Growth and Jobs Accelerator, 800 SMEs – 10% of which will be youth-led – registered in Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, and Jordan will be supported in expanding their businesses and adopting green practices for more sustainable operations, products, and services. Each year, in the four countries, two five-month accelerators with 25 selected companies will be implemented. The first round of 2024 has just been initiated with 91 SMEs spread across the four countries. Among these, a third are women-led businesses, and a fifth are youth-led, working in areas such as agriculture, waste management, and technology and AI.
Empowering green initiatives across the region
The solutions that the SMEs are working on encompass a wide range of innovation in action. Some are pursuing new ground-breaking products and services, while others are developing new business models.
ReNile from Egypt is revolutionizing smart farming with its comprehensive end-to-end solutions. Leveraging the Internet of Things (IoT) and advanced systems for monitoring water, air, and soil quality, ReNile provides real-time online analytics that enhance production efficiency and reduce resource consumption on farms. Similarly, WAI Technologies, also based in Egypt, is making significant strides in water management. By utilizing Industrial IoT and artificial intelligence (AI), WAI Technologies offers innovative solutions that efficiently manage water resources, minimize wastage, and promote sustainability.
Ecomarc from Tunisia focuses on the innovative use of coffee waste to produce high-quality mushrooms and organic fertilizer. This model not only reduces organic waste but also improves soil quality and creates local employment.
DeepLeaf from Morocco has developed an advanced algorithm of AI that offers farmers precise solutions for detecting and preventing crop disease, optimizing resource use and improving yields. This innovative platform enables farmers to make informed decisions, reduce crop losses and promote sustainable agriculture.
SOLVillion from Jordan works in sustainable water management. Their Smart Onsite Wastewater Treatment system offers an eco-friendly alternative to traditional cesspits, allowing treated water reuse for agriculture.
Launching the Accelerator
The Green Growth and Jobs Accelerator, in collaboration with Flat6Labs as an implementing partner, has been delivering strategic business development advisory services on green growth and support companies with business instruments to expand their operations within the four Arab countries and beyond. The Accelerator process offers capacity building, mentoring, and access to external experts and networks from local, regional, and global business development ecosystems to help SMEs accelerate their business solutions.
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Selected companies
The first cohort of companies selected for the Green Growth and Jobs Accelerator includes:
Morocco:
- DeepLeaf, OUBELL PLASTIC, CEDEV, DeepLeaf, Troisième chambre, Pip Pip Yalah, LOGISTIQUE PROCESS (LOGIPRO), Jnane Amir, Ecoprod, GREEN ENERGY TRANSITION, M4innov sarl, EPIC EXPERIENCE SARL, AC Electronic, SAVEY, Chama Green, Jodoor, V.I.C, Photonagri, ARD JBALA, Simpower, ATAREC, Hirri, Vision Offspring.
Tunisia:
- Aflor Natural, Aroma Beauty, Bitaqa TN, BYOKOB Cosmetics, Dots Technology, Dyamant Leuze, Ecomarc, Entreprise individuelle Valora-Lab, Entreprise Solidaire Mallègue, Entreprise wahy artisan du bois (Oriwood), Hayat Technology, Hbibty Market, ILEY COM, kamtrade, MIMI GREENS, Punica Care, Star Light Tunisia, STE DECO-METAL, Taman’Art, Tunisia Baits, Vie Verte BSF, WildyNess (Wander Captain).
Egypt:
- Mycelium, Niotek, ReNile, MEDEX, Arzaq Masr, GreenMorph Global, Exergy, Wai Technologies, AgriCan, Peekado, Al-Faris Agricultural Development Company, Al-Hassan Company, Dayra Baydina, Rio Energy, Akhdar, Rio Energy, AIR BEE, Smart Content, Sultan El Badre, ETCO Egypt, OZ-Tech, Signtech, Kofof Company, Recycle Company, Plstka, Jadeed.
Jordan:
- iPlant, sa3id, Puppets World, Kangaroo Delivery, Enas Mushroom Farm, El Husseini Green Technology & Entrepreneurial Solutions, Colza Plant and Animal Care Center, The Anwar A’bin Cooperative Association, Al-Wasatia Foundation for Economic Projects Development, Qanwan Beekeeping Supplies, Yasser Al-Salman Vegetable Farm, Studio RAA, Experts Plastic Industry, Waste Recycling Cooperative Association, Mushrooms House, Knowledge Beam for Information Systems, North Jordan Valley Pioneers Cooperative for Development, ALAZAL for Water Project Management (SOLVillion), NeuroTech, Sahar Al-Salman Tailoring, Al-Badia Cooperative Agricultural Association.
About UNDP and DAPP
UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. UNDP, with its extensive expertise in sustainable human development, commitment to transparency, and reputation as a trusted and neutral partner to governments and various stakeholders, is uniquely positioned to lead this initiative.
The Danish-Arab Partnership Programme (DAPP) is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark’s cooperation programme with the Middle East and North Africa, aimed at promoting human rights, equality, and job creation in Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, and Jordan.
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