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.

ALPHA MENGISTU,
HEAD OF BRAND BUILDING,
UNILEVER

Alpha Mengistu is a strategy professional passionate about the growth of consumer businesses in Africa and the culture of consumption. She was previously the Strategy Manager for Africa at Diageo, the global alcohol beverage company. Alpha holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA from the University of Pennsylvania in History and African Studies.

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.

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.

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.

NARDOS TADELE,
TECHNICAL MANAGER,
SHEGER PHARMACEUTICALS

Nardos is responsible for the operation of the pharmaceutical and medical supply department including import wholesale and retail operations.

RAKEB ABEBE,
MANAGING DIRECTOR,
GAWT

Rakeb Abebe is the founder and Managing Director of GAWT International Business P.L.C, which trades agro-commodities, agro-chemicals, fertilizers and seeds in Ethiopia. Prior to this, she served as a Project Manager and Financial and Business Analyst at investment banks and financial institutions in the US, including Deutsche Bank, Morgan Stanley, Fannie Mae and NASD, and was nominated by the World Economic Forum as a Global Shaper.

TEWODROS SISAY,
SENIOR MANAGER,
DELOITTE

Tewodros Sisay is a Senior Manager at Deloitte Ethiopia, responsible for Corporate Finance related assignments. Prior to joining Deloitte, Tewodros was co-founder and Managing Director of Enlion Consulting, a specialist corporate finance advisory firm. Before forming Enlion, he worked as Associate at Ex Africa, an international financial services company and Audit senior at HST & Co.