Our Consulting Team specializes in providing comprehensive services within the agriculture and education sector. From strategic high-level research to project and program design, investment opportunities analysis, value chain and business modeling, digital training and coaching, and host and fund management, we offer a wide range of expertise to support and enhance ventures.
Our Key Specializations
Value Chain Assessment and Business Model Study
Food and Market System Analysis
Project/Program Design and Implementation
Public Private Dialogue Facilitation
Digital Training and Coaching
Host and Fund Management
Research
Shayashone (SYS), takes pride in delivering exceptional expert consultancy services and offering high-quality insights across various sectors to our extensive network of partners and clients. What makes SYS unique from other consulting firms is the fact that it has strong and robust practical experience in both development and corporate sectors at the highest level. Our ground-root approach is the other winning edge. We are a company dedicated to delivering top-tier international standard consulting services with a team of local experts bringing firsthand experience in the operations of the Ethiopian agribusiness and education sectors, ensuring specialized and effective solutions for our clients.
Our professionals have worked with industry leaders such as Shell, Heineken, DSM, and Dow Chemicals. We have also collaborated with esteemed organizations including the Amhara and Oromia Regional Governments of FDRE (President Offices), the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ethiopia, Gates Foundation, Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), IFDC-2SCALE, Wageningen University, Purdue University, Saskatchewan University, ICCO, SNV, and Agriterra. Additionally, we have partnered with several Farmers’ Cooperative Unions (FCU) nationwide.
Projects
Over the past decade, SYS has successfully undertaken more than 100 projects, including complex sector and value chain assessments. Our involvement in designing development and investment projects has accounted for over 100 million USD in funding. Our extensive experience covers various sectors, including pulses, oilseeds, dairy, horticulture, and cereals.
The Mastercard Foundation has launched a new project titled ‘e-Learning for Strengthening Higher Education (e-SHE) in partnership with the Ministry of Education of the FDRE (MoE), Arizona State University (ASU), Shayashone PLC (SYS) and all the 50 public universities in Ethiopia. The partnership is aligned with the Mastercard Foundation’s Young Africa Works strategy, which aims to enable 30 million young people in Africa, particularly young women, to access dignified and fulfilling work by 2030. The overall objective of this partnership is to strengthen the higher education system through the use of digital technology for teaching and learning and to equip young people with the skills needed for employability and entrepreneurship. This envisaged e-learning program intended to strengthen the universities to deliver blended and quality education by adopting appropriate learning management and student information
CBI (Centre for the Promotion of Imports from developing countries)
The Centre for the Promotion of Imports from developing countries (CBI) is part of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency and is commissioned by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs. CBI connects small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries to the European market and this way it contributes to sustainable and inclusive economic growth. The project’s aim is to support the transition to a high-quality and inclusive spice sector in Ethiopia. The project officially launched in January 2021 with the aim of developing a Strategic Export Marketing Plan for species.
BFA (Bright Future in Agriculture)
BFA is a € 8 million project funded by NUFFIC and implemented by Maastricht School of Management, Arba Minch University, and Technical University of Ethiopia (formerly known as Federal TVET Institute). The project aimed at building capacities of seven Agricultural TVET colleges to enhance the employability of their graduates. Shayashone PLC (SYS) has been responsible for project management, partnership facilitation, finance and fund management, human resource management and procurement and logistics. Besides, SYS has been leading thematic areas related to internship apprenticeship, facilitation of private-public-education innovation platforms, facilitating policy dialogues, and delivering technical training on selected topics.
ENTAG (Ethiopia Netherland Trade for Agricultural Growth)
ENTAG was part of the BENEFIT program implemented by the Wageningen University and Research with the support of the Royal Dutch Embassy in Addis Ababa. BENEFIT program was a € 40 million program funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands focused on the transformation of the agricultural sector in Ethiopia. SYS was involved at establishment and implementation of ENTAG project, which was parts of the program related to the private sector. As implementing partner, we were responsible for sector platform and policy dialogue facilitation focusing on pulses and oilseed, organizing e trade missions, developing several business opportunity reports, market studies, and backstop key investments in Ethiopia. One of the key outputs of SYS’s involvement in this assignment was the development of the Ethiopian Pulse Council Establishment proposal currently being rolled by the Ministry of Agriculture.
FtFE-VCA (Feed the Future Ethiopia- Value Chain Activities)
Feed the Future Ethiopia Value Chain Activities project. PICS commercialization for household food security and job opportunity for youth is a three-year sub grant project by USAID. The project aimed at developing the market and supply chain for hermetic storage bags in Ethiopia in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture (including the regional bureaus of agriculture mainly in Amhara, Oromia, SNNPR). This project adopted a hybrid commercialization model of physical and digital extension. In the process, we successfully initiated and defended inclusion of hermetic storage bags in the tax exemption list by MoA and MoFED.
2SCALE Project
2SCALE Project was a $ 10 million program financed by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and implemented by IFDC. Our company provided hosting and fund management support to the 2SCALE project. For more information see reference letter attached.
Host and Fund Management
Shayashone PLC (SYS) has over a decade of experience in Host and Fund Management. The company has been offering assistance in finance and fund administration to various projects and assignments from multiple international organizations.
- SYS is managing the fund for the e-SHE project.
- SYS is providing fund management services to major clients, including Zoetis, the leading animal health company through the African Livestock Productivity and Health Advancement (A.L.P.H.A.) initiative.
- SYS organized events and coordinated various courses and training sessions for Wageningen and Maastricht Universities including overseeing financial and logistical management.
- As finance and fund administrator for the BENEFIT Program, SYS managed the local program and the innovation fund.
- SYS provided hosting and fund management support to the 2SCALE project.
Short Term Assignments
Youth Entrepreneurship in Agriculture and Food Systems Course Coordination
Shayashone PLC (SYS) has partnered with the Wageningen Centre for Development Innovation (WCDI) to coordinate the Youth Entrepreneurship in Agriculture and Food Systems course. This blended course combined online learning with in-person sessions, the latter of which were held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. SYS was entrusted with managing the in-country component, where we handled all logistics—visa facilitation, hotel accommodations, and organizing insightful company visits. Additionally, our team provided vital insights into the macro-trends shaping Ethiopia’s food systems, from policies and sector roles to the geographic distribution of food production, processing, and export. In the five-day in-person session in Addis Ababa, 22 participants had the opportunity to visit key players in Ethiopia’s agricultural sector, including poultry farms and feed processors, and public institutions like the Entrepreneurial Development Institute. These visits allowed participants to witness firsthand how various stakeholders are contributing to the growth and sustainability of Ethiopia’s food systems.
Governance from Farm to Fork Course Coordination
Shayashone PLC (SYS), in collaboration with the Wageningen Centre for Development Innovation (WCDI), has delivered the Governance from Farm to Fork for Food Safety course in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The course was attended by 25 participants from various parts of the world, with a strong representation from Africa. This blended course was designed for professionals across the agri-food value chain, including policymakers, quality controllers, and business leaders focusing on food safety management, regulatory compliance, and value chain governance. SYS played a pivotal role in the partnership by providing logistical and operational support. This included managing visa and travel arrangements and coordinating field visits to agricultural firms, food processing companies, food distribution facilities, open markets, food safety laboratories, and regulatory bodies. These visits offered participants real-world insights into food safety practices and value chain management. Additionally, SYS handled accommodation and conference logistics to ensure a productive and comfortable learning environment.
We stand as the premier choice for agribusiness services and products, possessing over a decade of expertise in serving farmers in Ethiopia and neighboring countries. In an effort to expand our influence, we have recently ventured into the education sector. Our success is rooted in strategic partnerships with local, international, and governmental organizations.
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