Awash Bank has disbursed over 137 million Br under its Guarantee to Grant (G2G) Facility, supporting 12 private seed companies to expand access to agricultural finance. The initiative, implemented under the Ethiopian Seed Partnership, involves Wageningen University & Research, the Embassy of the Netherlands, the Ministry of Agriculture, and RSLNC Consultancy plc. The facility provides collateral support to help firms overcome traditional lending barriers and improve production capacity for certified, high-yield seeds aimed at smallholder farmers. Agriculture contributes 32pc of GDP, 64pc of employment, and 79pc of exports, yet it continues to receive less than 10pc of national credit, with limited financial access in rural areas. The programme is designed to reduce investment risk in the seed sector while promoting financial inclusion, productivity, and long-term food security.

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