Empowering Youth. Expanding Opportunity. Building Resilient Communities.
Youth-led solutions creating pathways to skills, jobs, and resilience.
Masaf Development Organization (MASAF) is a youth-led nonprofit organization based in Ethiopia, empowering underserved communities through skills development, innovation, and inclusive economic opportunities.
Youth-driven. Impact-focused. Rooted in Ethiopia.
We expand opportunities for youth, women, internally displaced persons, and persons with disabilities. Our work sits at the intersection of skills, entrepreneurship, digital innovation, and community resilience — equipping the next generation of African leaders to build livelihoods and communities that last.
“To empower youth and marginalized communities in Ethiopia by expanding access to skills, education, digital opportunities, and networks that create jobs, strengthen resilience, and drive inclusive development.”
Five principles that shape every program
- 01
Youth-Led & Youth-Focused
Young people are not beneficiaries — they are co-designers, facilitators, and leaders across our work.
- 02
Inclusive by Design
We deliberately create access for women, internally displaced persons, and persons with disabilities.
- 03
Skills to Livelihoods
Every program is built to translate learning into real jobs, enterprises, and economic participation.
- 04
Blended Physical & Digital Model
We combine on-the-ground MASAF Spaces with digital platforms that extend reach beyond any one city.
- 05
Partnership-Driven
We co-create with donors, governments, employers, and civil society — no single actor solves systemic barriers alone.
Growing reach across the Horn of Africa
- 17,000+
- Youth engaged through programs, events, and digital platforms
- Multiple
- MASAF Spaces established as inclusive hubs for skills and innovation
- Hundreds
- Trained in employability, entrepreneurship, and digital skills
- Growing
- Partnerships with civil society, government, and private-sector actors
MASAF Spaces
Our first youth innovation and co-working hub opened in the Somali Region of Ethiopia. Today MASAF Spaces is a blended physical and digital model — a place where youth access skills training, mentorship, and peer networks designed for the realities of underserved communities.
Six integrated areas of work
- 01Skills Development & Lifelong Learning
- 02Entrepreneurship & MSME Support
- 03Workforce Development & Employability
- 04Women's Economic Empowerment
- 05Technology, Digital Jobs & Innovation
- 06Community Resilience & IDP Support
Let's build resilient pathways together.
MASAF grows through co-creation. Whether you fund programs, hire young talent, host research, or contribute expertise, there is a way to work with us.
- Program funding and co-creation
- Employer partnerships and talent pipelines
- Hosting interns and young professionals
- Research, learning, and innovation initiatives
Creating Pathways to Skills, Jobs, and Resilience.