Spotlight Ethio Digital Magazine: Issue 6 : simplebooklet.com

CONTENTS 02 INSIDE VOLUME1 ISSUE 6 pg 03 ESHI EXPRESS REVOLUTIONIZING DELIVERY In an impressive display of innovation Eshi Express is dramatically reshaping Ethiopia s business landscape pg 04 NEW SECURITIES EXCHANGE In a major step towards modernizing its economy Ethiopia has begun the sale of shares to fund its exchange pg 05 HOTEL PICKS pg 09 MEDSTORE DIGITAL MARKETPLACE FOR MEDICAL EQUIPMENT See how this groundbreaking platform is making medical equipment more accessible pg 10 MOBILE MONEY SURGES IN AFRICA A regional breakdown on mobile money growth across Africa pg 11 ETHIOPIA OPEN TO FOREIGN BANKS Ethiopia to grant limited banking licenses to foreign investors over the next five years pg 18 AROUND AFRICA A selection of four trailblazers across the African continent pg 12 OUTSIDE THE BOX HERMEN LEUL pg 13 BUSINESS LEADERS Our selection of Top 5 Leaders and the results they produced within their business ventures pg 19 EVENTS TO WATCH pg 20 ACHIEVERS Our selection of Top 5 Achiever s in their respective fields pg 21 DIAMOND CLASS pg 14 FEATURE STORY MERED pg 22 CONTACT FIKIREYOHANNES pg 06 AFRICA LEADS IN RENEWABLE ENERGY CONSUMPTION See how African countries lead the globe in harnessing renewable energy pg 07 SUCCESS TOOLBOX UNLEASH THE POWER OF YOUR MIND Ever wondered about the untapped potential of your own mind These practical sciencebased techniques will help unlock your brain s true capacity pg 08 DINING PICKS SPOTLIGHT ETHIO JUNE 2023

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03 STARTUP STORY ESHI EXPRESS REVOLUTIONIZING THE DELIVERY SECTOR Logistics startup Eshi Express is revolutionizing last mile delivery in Ethiopia by helping companies deliver faster and cheaper so they can focus on their core business In a significant stride for Ethiopian logistics the on demand delivery platform allows customers to arrange deliveries via app or call center and track those orders in real time By pioneering flexible shipping schedules including same day and nextday delivery coupled with a productive logistics approach encompassing consolidation and optimization Eshi Express has dramatically reshaped Ethiopia s business landscape Before their introduction these services remained largely unattainable within the region In 2021 Eshi Express secured investment and strategic support from Addis Ababa Angels Network as it sought to expand across the country Currently the company operates in the capital Addis Ababa and select regional cities Founded in 2017 by Haben Gebre COO and Tigabu Haile CEO Eshi Express is catalyzing the growth of small and medium sized enterprises in an impressive display of business innovation Eshi Express services large corporations like Awash Bank and Ethio Telecom as well as emerging e commerce companies SPOTLIGHTETHIO COM JUNE 2023

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04 GROWTH OPPORTUNITY ETHIOPIA BEGINS RAISING CAPITAL FOR SECURITIES EXCHANGE In a significant step towards modernizing its economy Ethiopia has commenced the sale of shares to raise funds to establish its inaugural securities exchange The ESX Ethiopia Securities Exchange initiative seeks to revolutionize the financial landscape of East Africa s most populous nation The share sale is designed to gather 75 of the needed capital The rest a quarter of the shares will be retained by Ethiopian Investment Holdings the country s sovereign wealth fund This initiative to launch a securities exchange aligns with authorities vision to elevate Ethiopia s financial sector to a level that competes with its African counterparts such as South Africa Nigeria Kenya and Morocco Despite being one of the five largest economies in Sub Saharan Africa Ethiopia has yet to establish its own stock exchange With the advent of ESX Ethiopia is poised to host the 30th exchange on the African continent signaling a pivotal moment in its economic growth narrative By 2024 Ethiopian authorities aim to have the ESX fully operational with a minimum of five state owned enterprises listed This strategic stake in the ESX is open to both domestic and international investors and is expected to garner interest in local banks and insurance companies to invest Licenses will be issued to the key players of the ESX including brokers dealers and advisors at the start of the upcoming Ethiopian fiscal year indicating that the groundwork for this ambitious endeavor is nearly complete SPOTLIGHTETHIO COM JUNE 2023

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06 ECONOMIC UPDATE AFRICA LEADS IN RENEWABLE ENERGY CONSUMPTION In stark contrast to the rest of the globe Africa emerges as a leader in the realm of renewable energy embracing it as a critical driver of energy consumption In 2019 four African nations Uganda the Central African Republic Somalia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo stood apart as they harnessed renewables to meet an impressive 90 percent of their total energy needs The latter even nudged close to complete reliance on green energy with a notable 96 2 percent according to the United Nations Energy Statistics Pocketbook 2022 On the other end of the spectrum 28 countries reported a paltry renewable energy share of less than one percent over the same period This list included major oil producers such as Kuwait Qatar and Saudi Arabia alongside the urban landscapes of Hong Kong and Singapore Ranking sixth globally and close behind Liberia Ethiopia had about 87 of its energy consumption from renewable sources such as hydropower Meanwhile advanced economies such as the United States Germany and Japan trailed significantly accounting for 9 9 percent 17 2 percent and 7 9 percent of renewable energy in their total consumption respectively highlighting their continued dependence on traditional energy sources SPOTLIGHTETHIO COM JUNE 2023

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07 SELF DEVELOPMENT TOOLS UNLEASHING THE POWER OF THE MIND Ever wondered about the untapped potential of your own mind Ever wondered what your life would look like if you could level up your mental performance and learn faster That s what awaits you in Limitless by Jim Kwik a groundbreaking guide with practical science based techniques to unlock your brain s actual capacity The Brain A Universe of Potential The book begins by dispelling a pervasive myth our brain s capacity is rigidly defined The author shifts our perspective from viewing intelligence as a fixed attribute to understanding it as a limitless potential Take for instance learning a new language or musical instrument tasks that may seem daunting initially With consistent and focused effort our brain can adapt and master these with surprising efficiency Conquering Limiting Beliefs Imagine running a marathon with a weighted backpack that s precisely what limiting beliefs do to our potential As our own minds may unwittingly sabotage our success we must dismantle these self imposed mental barriers For instance if you ve ever thought you were just not good with names this belief limits your ability to remember them and changing your mindset can significantly improve your recall The Power of FAST Learning The FAST technique is another jewel to turbocharge your learning efficiency This strategy starts by Forgetting preconceived notions Actively engaging in learning controlling the emotional State for optimal absorption and Teaching the learned concept to others To illustrate actively engaging with material taking notes or discussing with peers instead of passively reading or listening leads to better comprehension and retention A Route to Exceptional Memory Kwik a renowned memory expert shares powerful techniques to master our memory He introduces unique strategies like storytelling where you connect the information in a narrative form or memory palace where you associate facts with distinct places in your mind These techniques can drastically enhance our ability to retrieve information whether it s a grocery list or complex scientific data Limitless A Journey Not a Destination Finally the book equips us with a concrete 10 day plan to jumpstart our journey to a limitless mind In the grand scheme Limitless is not just a book it s a catalyst for cognitive revolution and a call for a lifelong journey towards cognitive expansion It s a voyage that sets you free from the shackles of mental limitations and empowers you to explore the boundless expanses of your mind s potential After all the only limits we have are the ones we set for ourselves Embrace the journey and become truly limitless SPOTLIGHTETHIO COM JUNE 2023

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DINING PICKS 08 DINING ENTERTAINMENT HOTTO Restaurant The Place Building Cape Verde St Addis Ababa Ethiopia Hotto serves modern contemporary Japanese inspired Asian fusion with bespoke locally sourced ingredients Enjoy dinner and cocktails in this relaxing and pleasant atmosphere Sale e Pepe Queen Elizabeth II St Addis Ababa Ethiopia Sale e Pepe is known as one of the city s best upscale restaurants for Italian cuisine and fresh seafood With an expansive menu and classic ambiance this spot is a must try Beemnet Restaurant and Bar Bole Addis Ababa Ethiopia Beemnet is a local favourite with tasty meat dishes authentic traditional options and casual drinks in a neat vintage environment KOBA Patisserie Bakery King George VI St Addis Ababa Ethiopia Koba is a pastry and bakery in Addis Ababa where you ll find the city s best and freshest handmade treats Plus enjoy dining options and a vibrant aesthetic setting SPOTLIGHTETHIO COM JUNE 2023

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09 STARTUP STORY MEDSTORE MAKING MEDICAL EQUIPMENT ACCESSIBLE MedStore et is a revolutionary digital platform aiming to increase accessibility and solve inconveniences faced by the medical equipment industry in Ethiopia The newly launched digital marketplace allows users to sell and buy medical equipment online Founded by Chernet Mequanent MedStore et is transforming the industry by increasing medical equipment suppliers digital presence and accessibility to buyers The platform also offers a curated matching system that covers the entire supply chain it engages with importers wholesalers manufacturers distributors hospitals and clinics at various levels and across public and private domains Furthermore MedStore et delivers specialized tender notification services for suppliers while providing increased visibility of tenders for medical institutions Medstore et aims to be a leading pan African digital platform that provides end to end solutions for the players in the medical equipment industry The startup is one of the ten startups that graduated from Orbit Innovation Hub a program organized in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation SPOTLIGHTETHIO COM JUNE 2023

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10 ECONOMIC UPDATE MOBILE MONEY ADOPTION SURGES IN AFRICA According to the 2023 State of the Industry Report on Mobile Money by GMSA mobile money services are growing faster than anticipated globally particularly in Africa In a clear indicator of the rise of digital finance the number of registered mobile money accounts witnessed a significant increase growing by 13 from US 1 4 billion in 2021 to US 1 6 billion in 2022 One key region catalyzing this growth has been Sub Saharan Africa with particular emphasis on Nigeria and Ethiopia where the swift adoption of mobile money has been noteworthy This surge in uptake can be partially attributed to regulatory modifications enacted in these nations Africa s mobile money industry processed US 836 5 billion in 2022 with 44 9 billion transactions East Africa led with 491 8 billion comprising 58 of the continent s total volume With Michu users can apply for loans and receive a decision based on credit scoring logic The loan application process from eligibility and verification to analysis scoring and loan disbursement is completed within a few minutes SPOTLIGHTETHIO COM JUNE 2023

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11 GROWTH OPPORTUNITY ETHIOPIA TO GRANT LICENSES TO FOREIGN BANKS In a significant step towards boosting foreign competition and driving economic growth Ethiopia has announced plans to grant up to five banking licenses to foreign investors over the next five years These sectors which state firms had previously controlled are being opened up to spur foreign investment Solomon Desta the central bank s vice governor shared this information stating that within five years three to five licenses will be issued With the state owned Commercial Bank of Ethiopia currently dominating Ethiopia s banking landscape this move will shake up a sector comprising 29 players all domestic entities In a similar vein two years ago the government broke Ethio Telecom s state owned monopoly by granting a telecom license to a private operator The consortium led by Kenya s Safaricom Vodafone and Japan s Sumitomo paid 850 million for this privilege Alongside this Ethiopia has begun a tender process to sell a 45 stake in Ethio Telecom and issue a third telecom license Foreign investors will have a range of options for entry from forming joint ventures with local players to setting up subsidiaries within the country Ethiopia a nation of over 100 million people with one of Sub Saharan Africa s largest economies has been eyed by foreign investors for its potential in sectors like banking telecommunications transportation and aviation SPOTLIGHTETHIO COM JUNE 2023

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OUTSIDE THE BOX OUTSIDE THE BOX 12 However Hermen acknowledges the difficulties in an industry that is often constrained Although I do have respect for social norms and unique Ethiopian culture and ethics there are a few people who appear to be rigid to accept new ideas and tolerate creativity This perhaps poses some hurdles in promoting new ways of thinking and different perspectives she says Harnessing the Business Potential of Social Media Influence Hermen understands the power of building a solid personal brand as she has successfully leveraged her platform to create lucrative branding and marketing opportunities As witnessed in many countries social media can be commercialized I have learned that the audience s migration from the mainstream media to the new media creates market opportunities for social media influencers she explains HERMEN LUEL In an era where personal branding and authenticity are essential Hermen Luel stands out as a trailblazing social media influencer marketing expert and model in Ethiopia reeling in an impressive following on Instagram 415 000 followers and various sponsorship deals With a passion for fashion and a dedication to selfexpression Hermen has made her mark on the entertainment industry by fearlessly challenging expectations In this exclusive Spotlight Ethio interview she shares her insights experiences and advice for anyone looking to make a mark in the entertainment industry Embracing Authenticity and Breaking Boundaries Hermen s success is rooted in staying true to herself and listening to her instincts regardless of her challenges This commitment to authenticity has allowed her to connect with her audience and inspire others to embrace their individuality She advises aspiring influencers to choose the right platforms create consistent content engage with the latest industry trends and most importantly stay true to themselves Inspiration and aspiration are key ingredients in cultivating a strong brand that resonates with your audience Hermen shares Persistence patience and hard work are all necessary to make it to the top but the rewards are well worth the effort Hermen believes the Ethiopian entertainment industry is still in its infancy held back by a lack of global reach and an insufficient focus on monetization Sometimes we need to think globally and act globally she emphasizes calling for the industry to embrace creativity innovation and investment to unlock its full potential Hermen also highlights the need to take modeling as a serious discipline that showcases mosaic cultures and contributes immensely to the fashion and business sectors Hermen Luel s journey is a testament to the power of breaking barriers embracing authenticity and harnessing the business potential of social media Her unwavering dedication and innovative approach serve as an inspiration for many proving that embracing authenticity can lead to success in the ever evolving world of social media and fashion SPOTLIGHTETHIO COM JUNE 2023

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TOP LEADERS 13 TIRUNESH DIBABA HOTEL TIRUNESH DIBABA TOP LEADERS I came from a small place and achieved big this It shows anyone can work hard and achieve great things I want to be an icon in athletics but also in business for the women in my country Tirunesh Dibaba is widely recognized as one of the greatest female distance runners of all time winning three Olympic gold medals nine world titles and holding the world record at 5000m She leads by example and promotes upward mobility for Ethiopian women in athletics and business Tirunesh founded the esteemed Tirunesh Dibaba Hotel in Addis Ababa reportedly creating nearly a thousand local jobs THE HELEN SHOW Leadership is not a position or title it is action and example HELEN MESFIN Helen Mesfin is the Executive Producer and Host of the Helen Show a top rated lifestyle program on EBS TV addressing various topics from business to health family and current issues Now on its 24th Season the Helen Show reaches over 25 million viewers weekly She also founded the annual Empower Community Weekend which brings together the East African community in Washington DC with inspiring panel discussions resourceful workshops and networking FIRST CONSULT MICHEAL ADDISU Understand what is really the problem for not immediately taking advantage of that opportunity Michael Addisu is a seasoned private sector development expert focusing on the financial and manufacturing sector and currently serves as the Managing Partner and Technical Director at First Consult Ethiopia s leading development consulting firm Before joining First Consult Michael founded a pioneering financial institution Nisir Microfinance targeting underserved medium small and micro enterprises and raised over 800 000 from over 200 shareholders to establish his company TRULUV GRANOLA GURSHA We believe that health and environmental protection are critical elements of a sustainable future for Ethiopia and these should be available to all BLAYNE TESFAYE Blayne Tesfaye is the Co founder and CEO of TruLuv Granola and Gursha a dynamic female led agribusiness in Ethiopia that makes healthy foods made with ingredients that are sustainably sourced from local smallholder farmers and that are crafted by Ethiopian women The UN recognized TruLuv Granola as one of 50 winners of the Best Small Businesses in the world providing Good Food for All BOLE ROAD TEXTILES Owning a business is really the biggest practice of self awareness and self reflection HANA GETACHEW Hana Getachew is a New York based designer who founded Bol Road Textiles to merge her love of Ethiopian handwoven fabrics with her career in interior design Bol Road marries ancient weaving traditions with a modern aesthetic to create ethical products for the home After graduating from Cornell University with a degree in interior design and working 11 years at a major NYC architecture firm Hana jumped into entrepreneurship and began Bol Road Textiles SPOTLIGHTETHIO COM JUNE 2023

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An Exclusive Interview with Spotlight Ethio MERED FIKIREYOHANNES Ethiopia on the Path to Financial 14 Reform In the tumultuous climate of 2008 when the world was grappling with the financial crisis Mered then a high school student found himself drawn into the vortex of global financial complexities The fallout of the subprime mortgage crisis had him intrigued as he sought to understand how billions of dollars could evaporate from the financial sector overnight sending ripples through the world s economies There I was baffled by the enormity of the crisis Mered recalls How no one could have predicted it how the crisis reverberated throughout the global economy all this stirred my curiosity to learn more about financial markets how economies work and the function and influence of central banks on a nation s money supply and the entire credit market says Mered Fikireyohannes in an exclusive interview with Spotlight Ethio Today Mered has found himself at the forefront of Ethiopia s finance sector as the Founding Partner and CEO at Pragma Investment Advisory a financial and investment advisory firm focusing on developing strategic entry and growth planning for individuals and companies demonstrating investment interest in Ethiopia Pragma is a portfolio firm under Kazana Group a holding company with over 13 companies operating in diverse industries and sectors and where Mered serves as an Executive Board Member The inflection point of his journey is defined by a decisive change in his academic studies Fascinated by the inner workings of the financial markets he immersed himself in learning about the economy and how central banks operate drawing connections between public policy financial markets and economic growth In my early college years this understanding led me to shift my path from Civil Engineering as assigned by the government to Business Administration Global Studies and International Relations at a private university he adds Mered s determination landed him an intern Business Diplomat role at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs while in college where he networked with influential foreign investors and policymakers Here he had the opportunity to handle an invitation for a major investor from Sameer Group a Kenyan company This connection later landed him a stint as a Project Manager for their 50 million greenfield glass bottle investment in Debre Berhan SPOTLIGHTETHIO COM JUNE 2023

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15 FEATURE STORY Building Pragma Advisory A Pragmatic Approach to Finance The shift in Ethiopia s administration towards a private sector led economic reform created an environment ripe for Mered s aspirations in finance With a college friend he identified the potential of the capital market s relaunch and decided to establish Pragma an investment advisory firm focused on corporate finance We agreed until the capital market fully materializes it would be good to establish our name and navigate this once in a lifetime opportunity by opening a firm committed to offering pragmatic solutions to clients needs with a deep understanding of the country s context I believe this much anticipated market will give us the platform to realize our vision of building a strong financial and capital market that meets global standards anchors the African market and creates wealth for both served and underserved societies Five years on Mered envisions Pragma expanding its reach to serve clients within Ethiopia and African markets aiding them in navigating the soon to belaunched capital market The firm seeks to foster a strong financial and capital market that meets global standards anchors the African market and creates wealth for both served and underserved societies Capital markets is a market where savings grow through buying or selling share or bond certificates much like buying a house Capital Markets Dawn of a New Era In simple terms Mered breaks down the concept of capital markets Capital markets is a market where savings grow through buying or selling share or bond certificates much like buying a house In likening capital markets to property ownership Mered explains that it is a system where individuals can invest their savings and accrue returns just as a house may appreciate in value or generate income through rent Therefore owning these certificates would give you a dividend if it s a share certificate or an interest payment if it s a bond certificate Mered further emphasizes the crucial role of capital markets in Ethiopia s economy They act as a conduit channeling savings from the public both individual and institutional investors to parts of the economy where these savings are exchanged for debt and equity securities ultimately being transformed into capital The potential scale of this mechanism in Ethiopia is staggering Currently the money outside the banking system has reached ETB 210 billion almost 20 of the total money supply in the country pension funds are sitting on ETB 250 billion only investing in treasuries currently and the insurance sector has close to ETB 120 billion on premiums mostly tied in time deposits in banks Envisioning a future where 20 30 of these savings flow through the capital market pipeline Mered points out the incredible possibilities that it could unlock As such the advent of the Ethiopian Capital Market Authority ECMA and the forthcoming Ethiopian Securities Exchange ESX represent a significant opportunity for Ethiopia The capital market can serve as a democratizing force providing individual investors access to new opportunities and thus fostering widespread economic growth As Ethiopia moves towards launching the ESX and reducing the capital gains tax from the current level of 30 Mered believes this change will spur the growth of collective investment schemes especially in Real Estate Investment Trust REIT products SPOTLIGHTETHIO COM JUNE 2023

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We need to have honest conversations around these reforms as a country 16 3 The Competitive Landscape A Springboard for Innovation As seen in the recent liberalization of the telecom FEATURE STORY sector a more competitive environment in the financial industry could drive innovation and diversity in product offerings making the sector more inclusive Mered applauds recent government and industry efforts to automate payment systems and the decision to open the banking sector to foreign players to increase Challenges and Opportunities for Growth competition I am sure the same will happen for the insurance sector once it has its own regulatory Mered identified six main challenges facing Ethiopia s authority separate from the central bank financial sector each with its potential solutions 4 Developing Human Capital Building a Skilled 1 Forex Shortages Demand Outstrips Supply Forex shortages have plagued Ethiopia s economy for several years Mered explains In a country with a GDP of ETB 6 trillion 110 billion according to the last fiscal year the total forex inflow has been approximately 21 billion Despite an average GDP growth of 6 and a money supply growth of 29 the forex inflow hasn t shown a proportional increase This discrepancy has widened the gap between the Workforce The financial sector in Ethiopia employs close to 200 000 people but a gap in skills and exposure hampers its growth Mered explains With the advent of the capital market the sector needs to develop its human capital to become service providers in the space making the landscape more competitive would give the existing human capital the exposure and the investment needed to match regional peers official and parallel forex markets driving up the cost of goods services and capital 5 Financial Literacy Bridging the Knowledge Gap Financial literacy is another challenge especially in In addition Ethiopia loses an estimated 6 7 billion through illegal channels The solution is straightforward asserts Mered We need to produce a proper forex market by floating the birr ensuring the economy has enough forex as a cushion With this reform he anticipates the total forex inflow would rise rural areas where 80 of the population resides Financial education should be catered to the local context and language Mered emphasized Such an approach will increase financial inclusivity and facilitate the use of financial products to grow local businesses to 28 30 billion He emphasizes the need for public awareness and negotiation with developmental partners remarking We need to have honest conversations around this reform as a country 6 Outdated Regulations and Policy Frameworks Time for a Modern Approach Lastly Mered identified unmodernized financial regulations and policy frameworks as a significant 2 Limited Access to Credit A Barrier to Economic Growth Mered also underscored the impact of limited access to impediment It pains me to see that Ethiopia does not have a benchmark interest rate that regulates other interest rates in the market credit on economic development Despite having thirtytwo banks with a total deposit of ETB 2 4 trillion only around 350 000 individuals and companies have access to credit Alarmingly a large proportion of this credit is allocated to a small segment with 60 of it going to the top 10 of these borrowers He advocates for more competitiveness and digitalization in the financial sector to lead to improved credit scoring systems this will potentially democratize the distribution of credit and help the economy grow He commends the central bank for taking the lead by initiating reforms To achieve price stability and maintain the health of the financial system the central bank needs to introduce new directives and policy frameworks in conducting monetary policy independent from the central government Furthermore introducing the long awaited financial codebook would enable well secured complex financial transactions and introduce new financial products SPOTLIGHTETHIO COM JUNE 2023

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In any situation you are there to solve a problem and create value nobody cares about or cares for you While solving a problem you must think about tomorrow and the future ahead you are there to lead and 17 create the way simultaneously FEATURE STORY The Makings of a Leader Reflecting on his journey so far Mered s leadership insight is grounded in a few core principles he continues refining while running his firm Firstly he highlights the importance of honing one s intuitive abilities You must constantly listen and be honest with yourself your intuition always has the right answer and you must learn to trust it Trusting one s instinct in business even in a data driven world has been acknowledged by many successful leaders as a key ingredient in decision making His second pillar of leadership is recognizing that learning is an ever ongoing process You are always learning no matter what environment you are in or the person you are meeting learning never stops This constant growth and adaptation ethos is especially crucial in the rapidly evolving financial sector delivering meaningful solutions Lastly he emphasizes the importance of being tough on oneself You must be harsh on yourself and push yourself nobody is there to save you This assertion underscores his belief that resilience and personal drive are fundamental to successful leadership Thirdly Mered asserts that effective leadership requires relentless focus on problem solving and value creation In any situation you are there to solve a problem and create value nobody cares about or cares for you While solving a problem you must think about tomorrow and the future ahead you are there to lead and create the way simultaneously In Mered s view leadership is about foresight paving new paths and As an ardent reader and lifelong learner Mered firmly believes in continuously seeking knowledge to understand his industry better and emphasizes the importance for anyone in finance to grasp how money and credit work He suggests a recent reading The Deficit Myth by Stephanie Kelton for its illuminating exploration of money credit and their overarching influence on the economic cycle I want my impact to be in financial and capital markets I believe we could solve most of the country s pressing economic problems if not all by having a proper well developed and inclusive financial system As a firm we work towards realizing this dream while solving our client s problem and creating wealth Leaving an Impactful Legacy SPOTLIGHTETHIO COM Mered s answer reflects his unwavering commitment to Ethiopia s financial and economic transformation when asked about the legacy he wishes to leave I want my impact to be in financial and capital markets I believe we could solve most of the country s pressing economic problems if not all by having a proper well developed and inclusive financial system As a firm we work towards realizing this dream while solving our client s problem and creating wealth For more interviews go to www SpotlightEthio com JUNE 2023

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AROUND AFRICA 18 AROUND AFRICA Oluwatosin Olaseinde Oluwatosin Olaseinde is the founder of Money Africa and Ladda a financial literacy and investment platform utilized by 200 00 youth Recognized as one of the Top 50 African Business Heroes she has become a prominent figure in championing the financial literacy movement in Africa Bright Jaja Bright Jaja is a social entrepreneur uplifting the profile of skilled professionals through his enterprise iCreate Africa Through iCreate he also holds SkillsFest an annual technical and vocational skills competition conference and exhibition that reaches thousands of young people Thobo Khathola Thobo Khathola is the founder and CEO of Lion Tutoring an education technology company With over 1 000 clients enrolled yearly Lion Tutoring takes advantage of the Fourth Industrial Revolution by engaging clients through its ecommerce platform and mobile application Boity Thulo Boity Thulo is one of the most recognized stars in South Africa s entertainment industry including TV hosting acting and music She is also a serial entrepreneur with ventures ranging from pharmaceuticals to hair care and the beverage industry SPOTLIGHTETHIO COM JUNE 2023

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BOARDWALK AVE 19 Business Women Expo 2023 BOARDWALK EVE Business Women Expo 2023 is a three day event that will provide a platform and opportunity for businesswomen entrepreneurs and women at any stage of their professional journey to connect create and accelerate with corporate enterprises as well as create opportunities for career growth development and trade under one mega event from June 14th to 16th 2023 at Skylight Hotel The expo focuses on leadership development financial literacy and various crucial topics to help attendees gain new skills and knowledge to achieve shortand long term business and career goals Made in Ethiopia Pop Up Market Get ready to explore the vibrant and diverse world of Ethiopian culture at the 8th Made in Ethiopia pop up market Expect to see locally made bags shoes art and crafts indoor plants organic products paintings and more The event is from June 10 11 starting at 10 00 am and going on until 6 00 pm Entrance is free so bring your family and friends along for a day of fun and discovery at the Hilton Addis Hotel Medical International Trade Fair 2023 This trade fair is Ethiopia s premier and largest medical forum encompassing healthcare pharmaceutical wellness technology inputs and solutions The event aims to catalyze trade facilitation market linkages new technology introduction and knowledge transfer for stakeholders across the whole value chain It will be held from June 16 20 at the Addis Ababa Exhibition Center SPOTLIGHTETHIO COM Agrofood Ethiopia 2023 Due to encouraging market development and increasing interest in the Ethiopian market the 5th edition of Agrofood Plastprintpack Ethiopia will feature more than 130 exhibitors from 16 countries The highly anticipated event will be held on June 8 10 at Millennium Hall Exhibitors will showcase adapted technologies and solutions in agriculture food processing ingredients plastics printing and packaging JUNE 2023

Spotlight Ethio Digital Magazine: Issue 6

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