Ethiopia | The Africa List

Situated in the horn of Africa, Ethiopia is one of the world’s oldest countries. With archaeological finds dating back more than 3 million years, it’s a place of ancient culture and astounding natural beauty. Over the last decade, Ethiopia has seen rapid economic growth with double digit GDP growth rates and an increasingly developed consumer market of over 95 million people. Drawing on a long and proud history, Ethiopia continues to shape Africa’s next decade of growth and possibility.

Known as the cradle of humankind and civilisation, and home to Lucy (Dinknesh)

Birthplace of coffee, with over 45% of GDP coming from the agricultural industry

Most populous landlocked country in the world with an increasingly vibrant consumer market

+10% average GDP growth for the last decade

Respected as the diplomatic capital of Africa, Ethiopia was a founding member of the UN and first independent African member

The Ethiopian calendar has 13 months in a year and so is currently 7.5 years behind the Gregorian calendar

‘The Africa List in Ethiopia is a platform to create personal relationships with industry leaders – an essential part of building trust in business.’

TEWODROS SISAY, SENIOR MANAGER, DELOITTE, ETHIOPIA

ETHIOPIA WORKING GROUP

Each local working group is selected from within The Africa List community based on their sector expertise and deep personal networks within each country. They are integral to the success of The Africa List and play a leading role in guiding the selection process of new members, helping to ensure that a diverse selection of the best companies and leaders are represented.

GIRMA WAKE,
BOARD MEMBER AND FORMER CEO,
ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES

Girma Wake is an experienced airline industry executive from Ethiopia and was CEO of Ethiopian Airlines from 2004 to 2011 where he is largely credited with building the airline to where it is today. At the peak of his leadership, Ethiopian Airlines registered the most significant growth since its founding in 1946. He currently serves on the company’s board of directors.

YOHANNES TSEHAI,
MANAGING PARTNER,
VERITAS CONSULTING

As a Managing Partner of Veritas Consulting, Yohannes advises various government agencies and private sector clients. Previously, Yohannes served as the Chief of Staff and Legislative Director for Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee in the United States Congress and served as a litigator at the international law firm of Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton in New York. Yohannes earned a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Harvard Law School.

BERHANE DEMISSIE,
MANAGING PARTNER,
CEPHEUS CAPITAL

Berhane is a Managing Partner at Cepheus Growth Capital Partners, a private equity firm primarily focused on investment in Ethiopia across all sectors. She has over 20 years of investment and corporate finance experience in the UK and Ethiopia. Berhane holds a BSc from Greenwich University and an MBA from Imperial College.

HARSH KOTHARI,
DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR,
MOHAN GROUP

Harsh has been instrumental in executing the latest state of the art leather and synthetic footwear manufacturing industry project for Mohan PLC, and plays a critical role in helping customers to develop new products and packaging solutions. He has a BA in International Relations followed by an MA in International Political Economy at the University of Warwick, United Kingdom.

SITRA ALI,
SENIOR CONSULTANT,
MARIE STOPES INTERNATIONAL

Sitra is an experienced marketer, specialized in branding. Although she’s now a senior consultant, she was Acting GM for Ethiopian Trading Enterprise, Commercial manager for BBZ Foods, Sales and Distribution Manager amongst others.

ADDIS ALEMAYEHOU,
CEO AND FOUNDER,
251 COMMUNICATIONS

Addis is the founder and CEO of 251 Communications in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He is also a shareholder of two other media companies. Prior to forming 251 Communication, Addis served as Chief of Party of the VEGA Ethiopia AGOA+, a USAID funded project aimed at improving trade between the USA and Ethiopia. In this role, he was awarded a Distinguished Service Award from the US Department of State for providing service above and beyond the call of duty.

ZELALEM WOLDEMARIAM,
CEO AND CHIEF CREATIVE DIRECTOR,
ZELEMAN

Born and raised in the capital Addis Ababa, Zelalem started his career in marketing, building more than a decade of experience in different organisations. In 2006 he wrote, directed and produced a full-length feature film entitled “The 11th Hour”. The film obtained critical acclaim for its compelling story from international audiences. He then founded Zeleman Production, which now employs 25 people.

YOADAN TILAHUN,
FOUNDER AND MANAGING DIRECTOR,
FLAWLESS EVENTS

Yoadan Tilahun is the founder & CEO of Flawless Events. Based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Flawless Events organizes summits, corporate events and conferences throughout the African continent. Yoadan founded Flawless while working in Washington DC. She re-located the company to Ethiopia in 2008 in recognition of the opportunities on the African continent. UNDP awarded her “Seasoned Entrepreneur of the Year 2018” award and MeetingsNet had Yoadan a 2017 Changemaker for her trailblazing role in Ethiopia’s events industry. She has also been featured on Forbes Afrique and on How We Made It in Africa.

NEBIL KELLOW,
MANAGING DIRECTOR,
ENTERPRISE PARTNERS

Nebil Kellow is the Managing Director of Enterprise Partners, a 50-person organisation supporting market development in Ethiopia, as well as a Partner at First Consult PLC, a business and development advisory practice. Enterprise Partners supports Ethiopia’s ambitious industrialisation programme while also spurring financial sector investments in Africa’s leading growth economy. Enterprise Partners’ work is resulting in jobs created and improved incomes for poor people, primarily women. Prior to EP, Nebil founded First Consult – an implementer of EP – at the age of 23 and grew the business rapidly to become a leading business and development consulting firm in Ethiopia.

SARA TADIWOS,
FOUNDER AND CEO,
ICANJOBS

Sara is the Founder AND Chief Enabling Officer (CEO) of ICANJOBS, a technology-driven talent and workforce development solutions provider based in Ethiopia. Previously, she has worked under various leadership capacities in international development, social enterprise development, human-centreed design, workforce development, and youth employment programs in Ethiopia, Kenya, and US. Sara holds a BA in Sociology and MA in International Development Studies from the University of Bergen, Norway