Unlocking Ethiopia’s Entrepreneurial Potential at the Future Skills Incubation Center
Addis Ababa, 31 January 2025 – At the heart of Ethiopia’s growing start-up scene, four leading entrepreneurs gathered at the Future Skills Incubation Center at Tegbare-id Polytechnic College to share their experiences during a dynamic panel discussion hosted by the 3E Project (Entrepreneurial Ecosystems in Ethiopia).
The event brought together aspiring innovators, students, mentors, and industry professionals to explore what it takes to thrive as an entrepreneur in Ethiopia today.
Let’s meet the panelists:
- Ermias Fentaw, co-founder of And Hulet Creatives
- Maedot Asefa, founder of Store251
- Tamerat Zewdie, founder of Arada Mart
- Bezawit Tibebu, founder of Tibebu Collection
The panel offered a candid look into the challenges and breakthroughs of building a business in Ethiopia’s evolving landscape. From launching e-commerce platforms to navigating supply chains, each founder brought unique insights.
Maedot Asefa reflected on the resistance to online shopping when Store251 launched and how perseverance and adaptation led to growth. Tamerat Zewdie spoke about the logistics sector’s unpredictability and how price volatility remains a key hurdle. Bezawit Tibebu shared her struggles sourcing raw materials and managing unpredictable input costs in the fashion and manufacturing sector.
All panelists emphasized that mentorship and networking were crucial to their journey. Ermias Fentaw praised incubation programs like 3E for connecting start-ups to experienced mentors and creating a supportive ecosystem.
A bright outlook for local innovation
Despite the challenges, the panelists voiced strong optimism for the future of retail, e-commerce, and local manufacturing. Growing appreciation for Ethiopian-made products—both locally and internationally—was seen as a promising trend.
Each panelist left the audience with valuable advice: “Solve real societal problems”, said Ermias. “Stay persistent », advised Bezawit and last but not least: “Understand your customer and market strategically”, echoed Maedot and Tamerat.
Events like this panel underscore the vital role of the 3E Project in empowering Ethiopia’s next generation of business leaders. With the right support, mentorship, and vision, Ethiopia’s young entrepreneurs are not just imagining the future—they’re building it.
