Ethiopia, 5 January 2026 On Sunday, Jigjiga City held a public ceremony to celebrate 371 who graduated from the World Bank-funded Urban Productive Safety Net and Jobs Project (UPSNJP), achieving self-sufficiency and marking a major milestone in their livelihood.
The event was attended by senior officials of the Jigjiga City administration, representatives from employment and job-creation offices, and community members.
Supported by the World Bank, the project aims to improve the living conditions of low-income households by providing vocational skills training and financial support to help beneficiaries establish small businesses.
Speaking at the ceremony, Jigjiga City Mayor Shafi Ahmed emphasized the importance of the project to the city’s overall development. He noted that the primary goal is to move communities away from reliance on aid and toward becoming productive citizens who actively contribute to local economic growth.
“From today onward, we must become people who work the land or earn a living through the skills and trades we have been taught,” the mayor said.