MERI PODCAST

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...

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 ca...

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 journ...

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...

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...

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...

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 Campaign...

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 partn...

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...

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 f...

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...

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...

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...

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 expl...

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 a...

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 tra...

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...

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 resilienc...

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. Mo...

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 pro...

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 Eth...

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 insig...

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 arti...

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 ta...

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...