A growing number of young entrepreneurs across Libya are building businesses to solve local problems, from providing home healthcare in Benghazi to running women-led catering services in Tripoli. This movement is gaining significant support from the Enabling Environment Towards Youth Entrepreneurship Support and Positive Migration Governance project, known as EEYES.
Quick Facts
- Over 1,000 youth participated in awareness activities.
- 60 startups received intensive training and mentoring.
- 29 businesses secured seed funding support.
Building Libya’s Startup Infrastructure
The EEYES project focuses on strengthening Libya’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and boosting youth employment. Financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the initiative provides tangible support for aspiring founders in Benghazi, Derna, and Sebha.
Through programs like DERAYA and ROWWAD, EEYES delivers business incubation, coaching, mentoring, and crucial seed funding. Of the 29 businesses that have already received financial backing, 16 are led by women, highlighting a commitment to inclusive growth.
Spotlight: From Healthcare Gaps to Post-Disaster Recovery
The impact of this support is evident in the stories of its participants. Mohamed Al Warad founded Al Reaya Al Tebeya for Medical Services in 2023 to address a critical need for home-based healthcare, helping patients who struggle to access medical facilities due to mobility or distance. The business aims to improve healthcare accessibility and is already planning expansion into other regions of Libya.
In Tripoli, Nouran Ramadan rebuilt her life and business after the floods in Derna. With support from the program, she expanded Matabekh Al Zahera, a catering business operated by two women that provides homemade meals. The assistance helped her regain confidence, and she now has ambitions to open a women-led coffee shop to sell homemade products.
A Blueprint for Economic Resilience
The progress of entrepreneurs like Al Warad and Ramadan underscores the vital role of small businesses in Libya’s economic future. By providing access to training, professional networks, and startup capital, the EEYES project helps turn promising ideas into sustainable businesses that create jobs and stimulate local economies. Approved in 2021 and operational since 2022, the initiative is a key part of the AfDB’s broader strategy to advance private sector development across the continent.
About EEYES Project
The Enabling Environment Towards Youth Entrepreneurship Support and Positive Migration Governance (EEYES) project is an initiative designed to bolster Libya’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and promote youth employment. It is financed by the African Development Bank through the Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation Multi-Donor Trust Fund and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with national stakeholders and the European Union.
Source: The Voice of Africa
