sequa gGmbH
Clean Energy Transition
Information
Company Description
sequa gGmbH is a globally operating non-profit development organisation dedicated to private sector development. Since 1991, sequa has implemented international cooperation programmes in close collaboration with the German private sector, with a strong focus on SME promotion, vocational training, chamber and association development, and trade facilitation.
Team
sequa has established a dedicated project team in Addis Ababa led by an International Team Leader with over 20 years of experience across sub-Saharan Africa. The local team includes experienced SME specialists delivering technical assistance and coaching, supported by a Monitoring & Evaluation team, finance and administration staff, and continuous technical backstopping from sequa’s headquarters in Germany.
Countries of Operation
Ethiopia; Egypt; Senegal; Ghana; Rwanda; Morocco
Ownership of Company
European Company (100%)
Number of years since incorporated
34 years
Stage
Established (mature)
Annual Revenue (in EUR)
EUR 10,000,000 – 100,000,000
Number of employees
11–50
Project Pitch
The SME Support Scheme – Ethiopia aims to strengthen growth-oriented Ethiopian SMEs by increasing productivity, competitiveness, and job creation. The programme addresses structural bottlenecks such as limited access to finance, skills gaps, and weak operational capacity by providing a comprehensive support package.
Selected SMEs receive tailored technical consultancy, management coaching, targeted equipment support, and facilitated access to finance, including bank loans, equity, innovative finance, and grants. The programme is implemented through close collaboration with Ethiopian stakeholders and financial institutions, ensuring demand-driven support and sustainability.
Building on sequa’s proven track record—supporting over 240 businesses and creating more than 5,000 jobs—the scheme contributes directly to employment generation, private sector resilience, and inclusive economic growth in Ethiopia.
Total Project Cost (in EUR)
EUR 12,000,000
Financing needs (in EUR)
EUR 5,000,000
Type of financing needed
Debt; Equity; Grant
Planned allocation of fundraising capital
Greenfield (new activity for the company); Expansion (expanding an existing activity); Public-Private Partnership (PPP)