MERI PODCAST
Meri Podcast is an Ethiopian business podcast hosted by entrepreneurs Kenean and Tigabu. Each episode features brilliant entrepreneurs exploring the strategies and stories behind their success. The podcast aims to strengthen Africa's private sector through storytelling, education, and building connections.
Episodes
የአፍሪካን ገበያ መያዝ ነው የምፈልገው - Birtukan Abebe - S16 EP198
“There is no challenge that cannot be overcome.” Birtukan AbebeOur guest for this episode is Birtukan Abebe, Founder and CEO of Peniel Industry and ALBA Business PLC, an Ethiopian entrepreneur with more than two decades of experience in manufacturing. From starting her entrepreneurial journey with just 6,000 birr and trading spare parts to building an aluminum manufacturing company and later expan
ማርኬቲንግ ማለት ማስታወቂያ ብቻ አይደለም! - Haireya Ahmed - S16 Ep197
“Marketing is an art.” — Haireya Ahmed, A marketing executive, entrepreneur, business educator, corporate strategist, and Managing Director of CM International Group. From beginning her professional journey as a teacher and working across customer service, sales, and management to leading marketing and commercial operations, Haireya has built more than a decade of experience understanding consumer
ሰነፍ ሰውን ማስተካከል አልችልም! - Getachew Melese - S16 Ep196
“Muscle is like having a million birr in the bank.” — Getachew Melese. Our guest for this episode is Getachew Melese, Founder & CEO of Sweatbox APG (Addis Performance Gym) and Founder of the Ethiopian Fighting Championship (ETFC). From starting his journey in Taekwondo and working as a fitness trainer to building Sweatbox and creating a professional platform for combat sports in Ethiopia, Geta
የዋጋ ንረት ቀነሰ ማለት ዋጋ ቀነሰ ማለት አይደለም! - Dr. Tewodros Makonnen - S16 Ep195
“Policies must be driven by reality, not just models.” Dr. Tewodros Makonnen GebrewoldeAn Ethiopian economist, researcher, policy advisor, and Country Manager for Ethiopia at the International Growth Centre. He also serves as an External Member of the National Bank of Ethiopia’s Monetary Policy Committee and as a board member of the Ethiopian Securities Exchange. From beginning his career as a jun
እኔ ያለፍኩበት ሌላ ሰው እንዲያልፍበት አልፈልግም - Dr. Mohammed Shikur - S16 Ep194
“You don’t learn business. You’re born for it.” Dr. Mohammed Shikur Our guest for this episode is Dr. Mohammed Shikur, Founder & CEO of Amin General Hospital, physician, gastroenterologist, and Member of Ethiopia’s House of Peoples’ Representatives. From working in rural and underserved communities to building and leading a multidisciplinary private hospital, Dr. Mohammed has built a career at
The Story Of HST - Tekeste Gebru - S16 Ep193
“The best leaders know how to listen.” Tekeste GebruOur guest for this episode is Tekeste Gebru, a veteran Ethiopian auditor and Founding Partner of HST, Ethiopia’s first professional services partnership firm. From beginning his career as an auditor to helping build one of the country’s leading professional services firms, Tekeste has spent decades contributing to the growth of Ethiopia’s account
ኢትዮጲያ የሌላትን ነው የሰራነው! - Kiffle Yohannes Abebe - S16 Ep192
“Don’t copy the world. Adapt it to Ethiopia.” — Kiffle Yohannes Abebe, CEO & Co-Founder of Komari Beverage, the company behind Arada Hard Seltzer. From nearly two decades at Toyota and Diageo to building one of Ethiopia’s fastest-growing beverage manufacturers, Kiffle brings a global manufacturing perspective shaped by local realities.In this conversation, we explore manufacturing, entrepreneu
Don't Fix What Isn't Broken. - Wim Vanhelleputte - S16 Ep191
Attitude matters more than degrees.— Wim VanhelleputteOur guest for this episode is Wim Vanhelleputte, CEO of Safaricom Ethiopia. From nuclear engineering to leading telecom businesses across Africa, Wim has spent nearly three decades learning, adapting, and leading across diverse markets.In this conversation, we explore leadership, adaptability, decision-making, and the lessons Wim learned buildi
ዘመን ተሻጋሪ ድርጅት እንዴት ይገነባል?- Kemal M. Rashid - S15 Ep190
AI is not technology; it's leadership. - Kemal M. Rashid. Our guest for this episode is Kemal M. Rashid, Founder & CEO of Axonova Consulting. With over two decades of experience helping organizations navigate leadership, strategy, and digital transformation, Kemal has worked with executives and businesses across Africa and the Middle East to prepare for a rapidly changing world.In this con
የኢትዮጲያ ኢኮኖሚ ላይ ምን እየተፈጠረ ነው? - Mukemil Bedru - S15 Ep189
"Cash flow is more important than profit." — Mukemil BedruOur guest for this episode is Mukemil Bedru, Founder & Managing Partner of Valcrest Capital, and Co-Founder of Hijra Bank. From helping establish Ethiopia's first generation of investment banking institutions to advising businesses through one of the country's biggest economic transitions, Mukemil brings a front-row pe
አለም ላይ ያልሰራሁበት ሀገር የለም - Bisrat Solomon Degefa - S15 Ep188
"The market doesn't care about your feelings it either pays for your solution or it doesn't." — Bisrat Solomon DegefaOur guest for this episode is Bisrat Solomon Degefa, Co-Founder and CEO of TruBuild. From his roots in Ethiopia to leading global engineering and AI-driven construction innovation, Bisrat has built an inspiring career focused on solving real-world problems through
ዘመድ አልቀጥርም - Samrawit Moges - S15 Ep187
"We haven't truly introduced Ethiopia to the world." Meet Samrawit Moges Beyene, one of Ethiopia's most influential entrepreneurs and a true pioneer in tourism and agribusiness. As CEO of Travel Ethiopia — one of the country's leading destination management companies — and Co-Founder of Samore Flower Farm, she has spent over three decades building industries, creating jobs, a
ሳይሰሩ መብላት ወንጀል ነው - Zenebe Ferew- S15 Ep186
Zenebe Ferew is the Founder and Chairman of Zenebe Ferew Business Group, one of Ethiopia’s leading entrepreneurs and industrialists, known for building a diversified business empire across manufacturing, real estate, construction materials, hospitality, and tourism. From humble beginnings in Mercato, his journey reflects resilience, discipline, and a long-term vision for creating sustainable busin
How I define Marketing - Rita Tsehai - S15 Ep185
Rita Tsehai is one of Africa’s leading business and marketing executives, with more than two decades of experience building brands, leading commercial transformation, and driving growth across Ethiopia, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and other African markets. Throughout her career, she has worked with some of the world's most recognized companies, helping shape iconic brands and navigate h
ኖረ ሞተ መባል ብቻ አልፈልግም - Nael Hailemariam - S15 Ep184
From waiting hours for internet as a teenager in Addis Ababa to building one of Ethiopia's most powerful fintech companies — meet Nael Hailemariam, Co-Founder & CEO of Chapa Financial Technologies.Born and raised in Addis Ababa, Nael's journey began with a deep curiosity for technology. From those early days of limited internet access to studying computer science, engineering, and data
Stay Small. Stay Profitable - Heleanna Georgalis - S15 Ep183
Join us for this episode with Heleanna Georgalis, President of Moplaco Trading PLC and Founder of Galani Coffee. Heleanna is a visionary business leader who transitions seamlessly across the worlds of corporate finance, international specialty trade, and sustainable agriculture. In this conversation: Heleanna’s global journey from Dire Dawa to Europe, her corporate finance background, and returnin
The woman behind successful exhibitions - Haimanot Tesfaye - S15 Ep182
Join us for this episode with Haimanot Tesfaye, Founder & CEO of Ethel Events and Founder of The Workshop Plc. From her early career in marketing and journalism to building one of Ethiopia’s leading event management companies, Haimanot’s journey is a story of vision, resilience, and growth.In this conversation, we explore how she transformed a small advertising business into a company behind s
ስራ ያከበሩትን ያከብራል - Gebreyesus Igata - S15 Ep181
Join us for this conversation with Gebreyesus Igata, pioneering Ethiopian entrepreneur and founder of Gift Group Companies. With more than three decades of experience across real estate, construction, manufacturing, and trading, Gebreyesus has played a significant role in shaping Ethiopia’s urban and economic landscape.From his early days in Addis Ababa’s Mercato market to building one of Ethiopia
ፕሮፌሰር ሳይሆን ጋሼ በሉኝ - Prof. Panos Hatziandreas - S15 Ep180
Join us for this conversation with Professor Panos Hatziandreas. He is the Co-Founder, Head of School and General Manager/Country Representative of Lebawi International Academy. Professor Panos has over 30 years of experience in psychology, leadership and education. He is a leading voice in human-centered and culturally grounded education in Ethiopia. Professor Panos grew up in Addis Ababa. His wo
The Woman Building Spotify Across Africa - Jocelyne Muhutu-Remy - S15 Ep179
Join us for this episode with Jocelyne Muhutu-Remy, Spotify’s Managing Director for Sub-Saharan Africa. Whether at Reuters, Disney, or Facebook, Jocelyne has consistently proven that success and kindness go hand-in-hand in the media industry.In this conversation, we explore her strategic blueprint for exploding streaming adoption across the continent and trace her professional evolution from CELSA
ኢኮኖሚያችን ባለመነጋገር ውስጥ እየወደቀ ነው! - Nuredin Hassen - S15 Ep178
Join us for this episode with Nuredin Hassen, Founder & CEO of Nurha Business Group, Nuredin Hassen Strawberry Farm and Raha Strawberry Jam, known for developing ventures connected to farming and product manufacturing.In this conversation: how he built his business, what it takes to turn agricultural output into market-ready products, the discipline behind scaling a local company, and his outl
የ 2 ቢሊዮን ዶላር ክስ አሸነፍን! Zewdineh Beyene (PhD, JSD) - S15 Ep177
Join us for this episode with ZEWDINEH BEYENE HAILE (PhD, JSD), Co-founder & Managing Partner, ALG LLP (USA); Founder & Principal, Law Office of Dr. Zewdineh Beyene Haile (ZEELAWS) (Ethiopia). With expertise across oil, gas, mining, and construction disputes, he advises African governments and multinational firms.In this conversation: his JSD from UC Berkeley and PhD journey, landmark case
ቱሪዝም የኢትዮጲያ ተስፋ ነው! - Zelalem Merawi - S15 Ep176
Join us for this episode with Zelalem Merawi, visionary behind Zelalem Tour, Ker Ezhi Leather Manufacturing, and Avocado Luxury Spa & Bistro, pioneering excellence across Ethiopia's tourism, manufacturing, and lifestyle sectors. Zelalem combines a fearless, risk-taking mindset and deep brand-building expertise with a passion for local value addition, developing world-class Ethiopian produc
Advertorial: The Shift from Heroic to Post Heroic Leadership
Learn more about Stanford seed https://stanfordseed.co/epodcastIn this advertorial episode, brought to you in collaboration with Stanford Seed, our host Kenean Assefa Dukamo sat down with Seed alumni and experienced business leaders:• Menna Selamu Bekele, Founder and CEO of Prime Integrated Services• Tibebeselassie Awetahegn, Founder and CEO of Timex Trading PLCThey discussed the importance of the
በሰው ሃገር፣ ስኬት ፉርሽካ ሆነብኝ! - Solomon Tedla - S14 Ep175
Join us for this episode with Solomon Tedla, visionary founder of Abramba Technologies PLC, advancing solar lighting and LED technology to transform lives in energy-poor communities. Solomon combines global business insight and private equity expertise with a passion for sustainable energy, manufacturing high-quality LEDs and solar systems locally in Ethiopia.In this conversation: Solomon’s early
How to Develop a Winning Culture - Robel Tsegaye - S14 Ep173
Join us for this episode with Robel Tsegaye, Chief Executive Officer of the Ethiopian Construction Works Corporation. Robel is a seasoned construction executive with global experience and a passion for advancing Ethiopia’s public infrastructure.In this conversation: Robel’s early life and values, his civil engineering education at Arba Minch University, his 12-year journey in the Middle East worki
I Don't Quit - Berhanu Zergaw - S14 Ep174
Join us for this episode with Berhanu Zergaw tech entrepreneur and co-founder of ZERGAW Cloud, CAMS Engineering, Nuna Coworking Space, and BEDEBO Ethiopia. Berihanu is a pioneering ICT leader driving Ethiopia's digital transformation through innovative cloud, internet, and agri-tech solutions.In this conversation: Berhanu's journey founding ZERGAW in 2019 after years of preparation, overco
ከዜሮ ካፒታል ነው የጀመርኩት - Mulalem Ferede - S14 Ep172
Join us for this episode with Mulualem Ferede, Managing Director of Leed Building Technology & Trading. Mulualem is an entrepreneur and engineering solutions provider leading a company supplying specialized construction technologies and building materials in Ethiopia.In this conversation: Mulualem’s origins and early experiences, his time abroad and returning to Ethiopia, and the process of bu
የእውቀት ችግር የለብንም - Amare Beshah - S14 Ep171
Join us for this episode with Amare Beshah, CEO of Afri Investment PLC. Leading a diversified enterprise spanning sanitary supply solutions, real estate development, dolomite mining, and food fortification, Amare has firsthand experience building and managing complex businesses across multiple sectors in Ethiopia.In this conversation: Amare’s defining career moments and the experiences that prepar
Update on the Ethiopian Capital Market - Hana Tehelku - S14 Ep170
Join us for this episode with Hana Tehelku, Director General of the Ethiopian Capital Market Authority. Over the past two years, she has been at the center of shaping Ethiopia’s emerging capital market environment, leading the regulatory foundation of the country’s new capital market ecosystem.In this conversation: Hana’s defining career moments and the experiences that prepared her for public lea
ጀምር፡ ከ1 ጠርሙዝ - 1ሺ ካርቶን - Yezichalem Kassa - S14 Ep169
Join us for this episode with Yezichalem Kassa, Founder and CEO of TheDay Agro Processing Industry, a pioneer in premium organic fruit jams. With over fifteen years of experience, she has played a key role in shaping Ethiopia’s agro-processing sector.In this conversation: her origin story and career transition, the founding of TheDay, the turning point behind the brand and its signature recipe, bu
Building Ethiopian Sportswear Brand - Habtesillase Gkirstos - S14 Ep168
Join us for this episode with Habtesilasse GebreKristos, Founder of Habte Garment & Printing Company, a manufacturer of children’s wear, sportswear, and official match kits. With over twelve years of experience, he has contributed to Ethiopia’s garment and textile industry.In this conversation: his background in graphic design, the early story of Habte Garment, starting the Wanaw Sportswear br
ራሳችሁን ሁኑ - Sara Yirga - S13 Ep167
Join us for this episode with Sara Yirga, Founder and Managing Director of YA Coffee Roasters. With over fourteen years of experience, Sara has been a driving force in Ethiopia’s coffee sector, working across roasting services, coffee exporting, consulting, training, and coffee shop establishment.In this conversation: YA Coffee and roasting, competition in the coffee space, building and impacting
ፋይናንስ ባዳ አይደለም - Tilahun Girma - S13 Ep166
Join us for this episode with Tilahun Girma, Partner at PKF Ethiopia, part of the global PKF network operating in more than 150 countries. With over two decades of experience, he has been closely involved in shaping Ethiopia’s financial sector.In this conversation, we discuss why finance quietly kills good businesses, and the core systems every company must put in place to survive. We dive into fi
እድልህን ያዘው - Abel Tadesse - S13 Ep164
Join us for this episode with Abel Tadesse, CEO of the Ethiopian Insurance Corporation (EIC), a seasoned leader who has shaped Ethiopia’s insurance industry for over 20 years.In this conversation, we discuss the evolution of EIC, and the role of reinsurance in managing national risk. We dive into business performance, risk management, market dominance, and the realities of mega projects and pricin
የታሰረው ገንዘባችን ተፈቷል - Million Kibret - S13 Ep164
Join us for this episode with Million Kibret, Managing Partner at BDO Ethiopia, who has shaped the nation’s finance and business landscape for over two decades.In this episode, we explore Ethiopia’s economic transition, the reality of capital markets, and the evolution of banking. We also dive into Million’s challenging perspectives on wealth, entrepreneurship, and the future of skills in Ethiopi
ነገ አለመኖረ ያስደስተኛል - Meskerem Assegued - S13 Ep163
Join us for this episode with Meskerem Assegued, Curator, Co-founder, and Managing Director of Zoma Museum, one of the largest privately owned art institutions in Ethiopia.In this episode, we explore Meskerem’s journey and ideas around Zoma Museum, choosing an unconventional and often unpopular path, Zoma School, Zoma Village, ongoing projects, and deeply interesting and challenging perspectives o
The 3 Year Journey of Meri - with Yasser Bagersh - S13 Ep162
Join us for this celebratory episode as our hosts sat down with Yasser Bagersh to celebrate the milestone of doing MERI for more than three years and reaching 200K subscribers.We had a fun conversation about Meri and the journey, with Yasser stepping into the host’s place, making it a warm discussion.More from our partners:Dashen BankWebsite: https://dashenbanksc.comTelegram: https://t.me/DashenBa
From Service Quarter to Industry Leader - Mayur Kothari - S13 Ep160
Join us for this episode with Mayur Kothari, Founder and CEO of the Mohan Group of Companies, a business group driving Ethiopia’s plastics and footwear manufacturing.In this episode, Mayur shares his early days, B2B vs B2C, distribution, footwear manufacturing, the plastic industry, the evolution of the Mohan Group, leadership, forums and accepting advice, and more.More from our partners:Dashen Ba
Competing Against Industry Giants - Zelalem Muluken - S13 Ep160
Join us for this episode with Zelalem Muluken, Founder and Chairperson of Zebym Trading, the company behind natural and healthy beverages like Melkam Moringa. For the past eight years, he has been shaping Ethiopia’s beverage industry.In this episode, Zelalem walks us through his story, starting from his early life and career to the moment he decided to invent his own formula and enter a market fil
ሳይዋሽ ሀብታም መሆን ይቻላል - Yemisrach Abera - S13 Ep159
Join us for this episode with Yemisrach Abera, Founder and CEO of Tapu Foods, a company specializing in ready-to-eat Ethiopian meals, takeaway foods, and packaged traditional items. For seventeen years, she has been leading and shaping Ethiopia’s prepared food industry.In this episode, Yemisrach walks us through her story from being born in prison and her early life, how she came up with the idea
The Other Side of the Aviation Business - Dawit Lemma - S13 Ep158
Join us for this episode with Dawit Lemma, Group Chairman and CEO of Krimson Aviation Holding and Chairperson of the African Business Aviation Association. With over two decades of experience in the aviation sector, Dawit has been at the forefront of shaping and elevating African business aviation, expanding operations from one airport to dozens across the continent.In this episode, Dawit walks us
The Art and Science of Sales - Andarge Kabtimer - S13 Ep157
Join us for this episode with Andarge Kabtimer, one of Ethiopia’s leading figures in the commercial sector. With over 25 years of experience across the beverage, FMCG, and telecom industries, Andarge has held leadership roles at major African brands including Shell, Diageo, Safaricom, and East African Holdings.In this episode, Andarge shares his remarkable journey from his early days in the oil in
How ET Became the BIGGEST Airline in Africa - Mesfin Tasew - S13 Ep156
Join us for this episode with Mesfin Tasew, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest and most successful airline. With over 40 years of experience in aviation, Mesfin has played a defining role in the airline’s growth, global expansion, and modernization, making it a true symbol of African excellence in the skies.In this episode, Mesfin shares his journey to becoming CEO and his insights
አስተሳሰብህ ከፍታህን ይወስነዋል - Tibebeselassie Awetahegn - S13 Ep155
Join us for this episode with Tibebeselassie Awetahegn, Founder and CEO of Timex Trading PLC, a leading company in Ethiopia’s import of heavy earth-moving equipment, machinery assembly, and export trade. With years of leadership and business expertise, he has played a vital role in strengthening Ethiopia’s industrial and export sectors.In this episode, Tibebe shares his origin story, corporate car
"ያበላል?" ያስበላል! - ቢዝነስ ታማኝ ባለውለታ ነው - Biny Baba - S13 Ep153
Join us for this episode with Biny Baba, Founder of Biny Baba Business Group, a business advisor and entrepreneur connecting Ethiopian businesses with opportunities in China. Starting his journey in Merkato, Biny has spent the past 17 years building a remarkable path in Ethiopia’s import business scene.In this episode, he talks about Merkato’s culture and business spirit, how he started his journe
23 Years of Photography - Abate Damte - S13 Ep152
Join us for this episode with Abate Damte, Founder of Kora Image, a certified Canon Trainer, and one of the most influential figures in Ethiopia’s photography industry. In this episode, Abate shares how his photography journey began, why he returned to Ethiopia, the story behind Kora Image, and what goes into creating powerful shots, his creative process, becoming a Canon certified photographer, h
From Diplomat to Businesswoman
Join us for this episode with Hadia M. Gonji, a pioneering entrepreneur whose story begins in Harar during the 50s. She is the Founder of Hadia Supermarket, Managing Director of Hadia Seed Production & Agro Industry PLC, Co-Founder of Enat Bank, and President of the Ethiopian Women Exporters Association.In this episode, Hadia shares her early experiences, how her business journey started, and
Education Is Not an Experiment - Dr. Arega Yirdaw - S13 Ep151
Today we’re bringing back Dr. Arega Yirdaw, President of Unity University, former President of the Ethiopian Association of Higher Education & TVET Institutions, and the longest-serving CEO of MIDROC Technology Group.In this episode, we had a conversation with Dr. Arega about Ethiopia’s education reforms and the future of education in the country. The discussion covers his experience leading U
The Man Behind The Big Brands. - Misikr Mulugeta - S12 Ep150
Join us for this episode with Misikr Mulugeta, Commercial Strategist and Business Consultant, and one of the leading figures in Ethiopia’s marketing sector, known for his expertise in the beverage and FMCG industries.In this episode, we had a conversation with Misikr about: How it all started, Roles at BGI, Coca Cola and DHL, The Ethiopian Marketing Industry and Creativity, The Making of Campaigns
የጊዜ እንጂ የሰው ኃያል የለም - Mukemil Bedru - Mukemil Bedru - S12 Ep149
Join us for this episode with Mukemil Bedru, Founder & Managing Partner of Elegance Group and Co-Founder of Hijra Bank, Ethiopia’s full-fledged interest-free Islamic bank.In this episode, we had a conversation with Mukemil about: Working at Deloitte, Starting Elegance, the Interest-Free Banking Concept, Challenges & Resilience, Mukemil’s Life Experience, and much more.More from our partner
የኢትዮጵያ ፋሽን ፈርጥ - Mahlet (Mafi) Afework S13 148
Join us for this episode with Mahlet (Mafi) Afework, CEO & Creative Director of Mafi Mafi Fashion Design & Manufacturing and Founder of the Mafi Fashion Academy and Lab. Mafi Mafi is redefining Ethiopian fashion through innovation and global presence. In this episode, we had a conversation covering: Starting Mafi Mafi, Breaking into the International Market, Managing Production, Distributi
From Taxi-Hailing to Business Automation: ETTA’s Journey - Temesgen Geberehiwot S13 147
Join us for this season opener episode with Temesgen Geberehiwot, Founder and CEO of ETTA Solutions. ETTA is driving innovation in e-commerce, delivery, and digital solutions.In this episode, we had an open and engaging conversation covering: Starting ETTA, Big Bets & Early Lessons, E-commerce and Delivery, Building Zoorya, Innovation, People, Leadership & Personal Growth and more.More fro
United States–Ethiopia Trade: The Ambassador’s Interview
Join us for this episode with Ervin Massinga, a key figure in U.S. diplomacy. He is a diplomat with 30 years of experience and is currently the U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia.In this conversation: his diplomatic career and lessons in respect, his path to becoming an ambassador, the core roles of an ambassador, the U.S. shift from aid to trade, priority sectors for private sector engagement, and the p
በመኖር የሚገለፅ አመራር እወዳለሁ - Melaku Kebede - S12 E145
Join us for this episode with Melaku Kebede, a key figure in the Ethiopian financial sector. He was the former CEO of Hibret Bank and is currently the Program Manager at FSD Ethiopia.In this conversation: Leadership, what it means to be a CEO of a bank in Ethiopia, Ethiopian banks expanding outside the country, foreign banks entering the Ethiopian market, leadership, the Ethiopian economy, board g
የቤት ቁጥርን ያስጀመረች - Aster Solomon - S12 E144
Join us for this episode with Aster Solomon, a pioneering entrepreneur serving as the Co-founder and General Manager of Ethiopia’s first GIS service company (ISS), owner of Mosaic Hotel, a Co-founder of Enat Bank, and the General Manager of New English Private School (NEPS).In this conversation: Professional journey, introducing GIS Technology, Hospitality, the Hotels Association, New English Priv
የግብርናው ዘርፍ ማርሽ ቀያሪ - Tesfaye Teklehaimanot - S12 Ep143
Join us for this episode with Tesfaye Teklehaimanot, founder of Kaleb Service Farmer’s House, a pioneer Ethiopian company advancing agricultural mechanization, local manufacturing and assembly, technician training, and international trade.In this conversation: Tesfaye’s origin story and professional journey, how Kaleb Services was founded, and its evolution into a multifaceted enterprise. We explo
እድልህን አታሳልፍ፤ ያዘው! - Dawit Hailu - S12 Ep142
Join us for this episode with Dawit Hailu, founder and director of Wudassie Group, a growing Ethiopian conglomerate active in health, hospitality, education, consultancy, and technology.In this conversation: Dawit's origin story and first steps in business, how Akkoo Coffee started, lessons from cafe in Ethiopia and Dubai including covering menu curation, customer behavior, balancing supply an
ከታላላቆቼ ጋር በመዋሌ አትርፌያለሁ - Dawit Woubishet - S12 Ep141
Join us for this episode with Dawit Woubishet, founder and director of WubGet Holdings, a fast growing Ethiopian conglomerate active in logistics, exports, imports, floriculture, beverage distribution, and real estate.In this conversation: Dawit's early steps into business, building WubGet Holdings from the ground up, scaling through diversification, strengthening Ethiopia’s logistics and trad
The Rise of Boon Boona - Efrem Fesaha - S12 Ep140
Join us for this episode with Efrem Fesaha, founder and CEO of Boon Boona Coffee, a brand that started out by selling green beans at soccer tournaments and grew into a coffee business with cafes and corporate deals.This episode was recorded in Seattle, where Boon Boona was born. It’s our first ever live episode outside Ethiopia.In this conversation: jumping from finance to coffee, starting Boon Bo
እድገት ይነጠቃል እንጂ አይሰጥም - Ekram Akill - S12 E139
Join us for this episode with Ekram Akill, co-founder and CEO of Yetem Trading, a homegrown business that started as a small cosmetics shop and grew into cosmetics manufacturing, import export, and real estate.In this conversation: the cosmetics industry, growing a local manufacturing operation, navigating import and distribution, Merkato, expanding Yetem Trading, and the challenges and resilience
የገበሬው ምርቃት እዚህ አድርሶናል - Yared Sertse - S12 E138
Join us for this episode with Yared Sertse, General Manager of Shayashone PLC, a diversified agribusiness group engaged in manufacturing, import-export, consultancy, and e-learning.In this conversation: Yared’s background and journey into agribusiness, the evolution of Shayashone, livestock, vaccines, and veterinary drugs, the company’s role in local manufacturing and export, e-SHE e-learning.More
80 አመታት፣ 3 ትውልድ፣ 2 አህጉር ያጣመረ ጉዞ - Pier Paolo - S12 E137
Join us for this episode with Pier Paolo, General Manager of Elmi Olindo Contractors PLC, a third-generation family business with over 80 years of experience. The company is behind major projects like Halala Kella, Wenchi Lodge, the ET-302 Memorial Park, and Eagle Hills.In this conversation: Pier Paolo's background and global career journey, the story of Elmi Olindo, insights into bidding for proj
ቢዝነስ Mindset እንጂ ገንዘብ አይደለም - Kasanesh Ayalew - S12 E136
Join us for this episode with Kasanesh Ayalew, Founder & CEO of HK Business Group, the first company in Ethiopia to produce plastic formwork. Her business spans construction, manufacturing, logistics, rental services, and restaurants.In this conversation: Kasanesh’s entrepreneurial journey, HK Business Group, and the significance of plastic formwork in modern construction. We also discuss Ethi
የባንኮች መብዛት ከችግር አያወጣንም - Brutawit Dawit - S12 E135
Join us for this episode with Brutawit Dawit, a leading figure in Ethiopia’s financial sector and the current CEO of Wegagen Capital Investment Bank, the country’s first private investment bank. She has previously held top leadership roles at Zemen Bank, Wegagen Bank, and the Bank of Abyssinia.In this conversation: Brutawit’s rise to leadership, her global career and return to Ethiopia, and insigh
ዲዛይን ነጻነት ይፈልጋል - Alebel Desta - S12 E133
Join us for this episode with Alebel Desta, a multidisciplinary Ethiopian architect, CEO and founder of Alebel Desta Consulting Architects and Engineers, and the visionary behind iconic works including the New Beginning Art Installation, ET-302 Memorial Park, and others.In this episode, we explore Alebel’s journey in the industry, the stories behind his landmark projects, his perspectives on artis
480 ከተማ ላይ እንሰራለን - Michael Mekonnen- S12 E133
Join us for this episode with Michael Mekonnen, Founder and Managing Director of Menkem International Business PLC a leading conglomerate in Ethiopia.We explore Michael’s entrepreneurial journey and key sectors of his business: entertainment, transport & logistics, import and FMCG distribution. The conversation also touches on strategic diversification, the Djibouti Free Zone, and building tal
The Story of Marathon Motors - Melkamu Assefa - S12 E132
Join us for this episode with Melkamu Assefa, CEO and Managing Director of Marathon Motor Engineering, one of Ethiopia’s top automotive companies.We talk about Melkamu’s journey from sales to industry leader, the rise of Marathon Motor Engineering, the growth of Ethiopia’s car industry, the future of electric cars, infrastructure development, and insights into car making and team management.More f
የሁሉም ነገር መጀመሪያ ሃሳብ ነው - Dr Mehret Debebe - S12 E131
Join us for the season opener of Meri Podcast featuring Dr. Mehret Debebe, founder and director of Mindset Solutions.In this episode, we had an open and entertaining conversation covering diverse topics including, Dr. Mehret’s journey, emotional intelligence, mindset barriers that hold entrepreneurs back, leadership, and understanding personality types. He also shares about his books and his writ
በEthiojobs ተጽዕኖ ፈጥሬያለሁ - Yusuf Reja - S11 E130
Join us for this insightful conversation on talent, business, and the future of work with Yusuf Reja, Founder & CEO of Ethiojobs, Ethiopia’s first and largest e-recruitment platform and a major player in the country’s job market.In his second appearance on the Meri Podcast, Yusuf shares shares his insights on key topics including:– Talent development management– Hiring experienced professional
በብዙ ሺዎች የሚቀጥሩ የግል ድርጅቶች ያስፈልጉናል - Meried Bekele - S11 E129
Join us for this eye-opening conversation on management and business leadership with Meried Bekele, Founder & CEO of IE Networks, Ethiopia’s leading enterprise IT solutions provider, in his 2nd round on Meri Podcast.Topics include:- The Tech Talent Academy- Selam New Workspace- IE Networks' success- His book & publications – Giving back through knowledgeReliable is working on a project tha
አንዴ ነው የምትኖረው፤ የምትወደውን ሥራ! - Tesfaye Migbar - S11 EP128
Join us for this episode with Tesfaye Migbar, founder of Ultimate Insurance Broker, who has 18 years of experience in the industry. We talk about what insurance really means, why it’s important, and how the business works.Topics include: -Why insurance matters for businesses and individuals -How reinsurance works -The role of insurance brokers and why people use them -Different types of insurance
ስኬታማ ፖድካስት እንዴት መፍጠር ይቻላል? - S11 EP127
Join us for this episode on podcasting with our co-hosts, Kenean and Tigabu. They discuss why podcasting is evolving, how it is impacting people’s lives globally, and what it takes to start and run a successful podcast. Their conversation revolves around: -Why people are preferring podcasts over legacy media -The power and influence of podcasts -The global podcast economy -How to start a podcast (
Advertorial: Why Stanford Seed Matters for Business Leaders?
In this advertorial episode, brought to you in collaboration with Stanford Seed, Kassahun Y. Kebede, PhD, Stanford Seed Program Business Transformation Advisor, sat down with Seed alumni and second-generation family business leaders:Dr. Yeraeifirae Sileshi, CEO of WAJi Healthcare and Saglan Wajee General HospitalYeshiwork Woldeher, Managing Director of Ghion Gas Plc and Vice President of the Stanf
ኢትዮጵያ ለኢትዮጵያውያን መከፈት አለባት - Mintesinot Lemma - S11 EP126
Join us for this episode with Mintesinot Lemma, CEO of Mintu Investment Group, a conglomerate engaged in various sectors, including plastic, flour, and beverage manufacturing, import/export, real estate, and more. He inherited a candy factory and expanded it into a large group of companies.In this conversation, we discuss:- The manufacturing sector in Ethiopia- Operations and business challenges w
ጠዋት ተነስቼ 13KM እሮጣለሁ - Mr. Tesfaye Hailemichael - S11 EP124
Join us for this Meri Podcast episode, which features Mr. Tesfaye Hailemichael, Senior Vice President of Cerberus Capital Management and Chairperson of the Board at Chapa Financial Solutions S.C.We discuss a broad range of topics in this episode, such as:- The role of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) & Board Chairperson- Development of Ethiopia’s Capital Market- Private Equity and Listing- Merger
ታክስ መምጣት ያለበት ከትርፍ በኋላ ነው - Dr. Taddese Lencho - S11 EP124
Join us for this MERI Podcast episode, which features Dr. Taddese Lencho (PhD), who has decades of expertise: teaching, researching, writing, publishing, and advising on Tax legislation in various sectors.We discuss a broad range of topics in this episode, such as:- Understanding Ethiopia’s Tax System- Common Myths & Misconceptions- Tax Implementation & Enforcement- VAT: What Businesses Ne
The Story of Mullege - Garad Haji Mustafa Awal - S11 EP123
Join us for this MERI Podcast episode, which features Garad Haji Mustafa Awal, General Manage of Mullege PLC, a company involved in coffee, transport, import, real estate and others.We discuss a broad range of topics in this episode, such as:- Early life and entrepreneurial Beginnings- Scaling Mullege and Operations - Ethiopian Coffee Industry and Market - Challenging timesDiscover the experience
ከ1 ልብስ ስፌት መኪና፣ በኢትዮጵያ ትልቁ ጋርመንት ፋብሪካ - Seid Mohammed - S11 EP122
Join us for this MERI Podcast episode, which features Seid Mohammed-Berhan, Founder and CEO of Ambassador Group consisting of Ambassador Garment, Ambassador Hotel, and Ambassador Mall.We discuss a broad range of topics in this episode, such as:- Starting a business - Challenges faced during those times - Expanding businessDiscover the experience and practices employed by Seid Mohamme-Berhan and ga
የማናውቀውን አንሰራም - Dr. Nassir Dino - S11 EP121
Join us for this MERI Podcast episode, which features Nassir Dino (Ph.D), Co-Founder and President of Higher Learning Center of Excellence (HiLCoE) and Co-Founder and Chairman of ZamZam Bank.
We discuss a broad range of topics in this episode, such as:
- Running HiLCoE and Building Excellence
- Current Operation at HiLCoE
- Introducing interest-free banking system
- ZamZam Bank's business m
