MERI PODCAST

“Can we create something bigger than ourselves?” - Kishen Raval, Group Managing Director of Raval Group and Habesha Steel Mills. Born and raised in Kenya, he moved to Ethiopia to build a career in industrial investment and manufacturing. Since the early days of Habesha Steel Mills, he has led the group's growth and expansion into sectors including steel, pharmaceuticals, and polymers. In this...

“Use AI like a gym, not like a forklift.” Solomon Kassa is the host of TechTalk with Solomon on EBS, founder of 1888EC, co-founder of Kote Health, former senior advisor to the Ethiopian AI Institute, and an author. In this second conversation with MERI Podcast, we explore his new book, Artificial Intelligence: The Last Invention or the End of Innovation? The conversation explores AI as a revolutio...

“It is the hard path, but it’s the right path.” Our guest for this episode is Bart De Keninck, a Belgian business executive, Managing Director of Heineken Ethiopia, and President of the Ethiopian Brewers Association. From beginning his career in consulting and marketing to spending 20 years within the Heineken ecosystem across Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Ethiopia, Bart’s journey has...

“Makeup is more than a skill. It can become a business.” Wengelawit (Liya) Gole, an Ethiopian beauty entrepreneur, professional makeup artist, bridal specialist, and Founder and CEO of International Makeup School (IMS), Liya Gole Salon, and Dura by Liya. From studying accounting and working in aviation to establishing and later selling her own travel business, Liya eventually pursued her passion f...

“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...

“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...

“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...

“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...

“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 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...

“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, entreprene...

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 build...

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 co...

"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...

"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...

"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...

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...

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...

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 dat...

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...

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...

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 Ethiopi...

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...

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 CELS...

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 out...