As Ethiopia’s largest last mile-mile distribution network, Kidame Mart empowers rural female entrepreneurs in the country to provide last-mile distribution for fast-moving consumer goods that enhance people’s standard of living. Their for-profit business model takes an innovative, market-driven approach to create both long-term and meaningful change to the lives of the women they recruit and train. Kidame’s unique, but human-centered model enables their network of 3,000+ micro-entrepreneurs to bridge gaps between consumer goods suppliers and rural communities.
- 3,000+ women have grown their businesses with Kidame Mart in just three years
- 36% increase on average in female entrepreneurs’ incomes since Kidame’s inception
- 110 rural locations served across Ethiopia
- 1.5 million rural customers have purchased high impact, high-quality products faster and at lower costs
- Kidame Mart is on a mission to create opportunities for women to live better lives, sustainably
- The social enterprise organization has built systems to scale up women-owned businesses, with the goal to boost each sales agent’s income by up to an additional $2 a day or $60 a month. This additional income helps Kidame’s 3,000+ entrepreneurs purchase local, community health insurance, pay school fees, build up savings and much more
Shani Senbetta
CEO Shani Senbetta founded Kidame Mart in 2017, after operating three private businesses in Ethiopia’s booming private sector. She is currently the COO of Zeleman Productions, the largest marketing, advertising, and production firm in Ethiopia. Shani has a BA from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, an MBA from Harvard University, and was a Fulbright Scholar.
Through having this business, rural women can increase their incomes. We do hope that they will earn up to $2 a day, or about $60 a month, in additional earnings. They can use that income to ensure their kids go to school, buy local community health insurance, and have savings for their future.
