MERI PODCAST

AI የመጨረሻው ፈጠራ ወይስ የፈጠራ መጨረሻ - Solomon Kassa - S16 EP201

68K views · 2d ago · 2:01:10

“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?

Topics: Solomon's Journey · The Evolution of AI · AI and Human Intelligence · AI in Ethiopia and Africa · AI's Limitations · AI and Productivity

We Work With 120,000 Farmers - Bart De Keninck - S16 EP200

34K views · 1w ago · 1:48:47

“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.

Topics: Career Journey · Leading in Ethiopia · Entering the Market · Building Local Brands · Product and Market Fit · Working With 120,000 Farmers

ሜካፕን ወደ ቢዝነስ! - Wengelawit (Liya) Gole - S16 EP199

131K views · 2w ago · 1:25:42

“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 for makeup artistry.

Topics: Career Journey · Entering the Makeup Industry · Building IMS Makeup School · Scaling Education & Impact · Industry Challenges & Imports · Social Media & Brand Growth

የአፍሪካን ገበያ መያዝ ነው የምፈልገው - Birtukan Abebe - S16 EP198

226K views · 3w ago · 1:48:42

“There is no challenge that cannot be overcome.” Birtukan Abebe Our 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.

Topics: Early Life · Starting Business · Entering Manufacturing · Business Struggles · Growing the Factory · Production & Expansion

ማርኬቲንግ ማለት ማስታወቂያ ብቻ አይደለም! - Haireya Ahmed - S16 Ep197

165K views · 1mo ago · 1:47:07

“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 consumers, building brands, and growing businesses.

Topics: Career Journey · Business & Distribution · Customers & Products · Branding & Market · Marketing Strategy · Leadership & Team

ሰነፍ ሰውን ማስተካከል አልችልም! - Getachew Melese - S16 Ep196

207K views · 1mo ago · 1:52:26

“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).

Topics: Getachew’s Journey · Building Sweatbox · Fitness & Business · Building a Strong Team & Culture · The Story Behind ETFC · The Future of Combat Sports in Ethiopia

የዋጋ ንረት ቀነሰ ማለት ዋጋ ቀነሰ ማለት አይደለም! - Dr. Tewodros Makonnen - S16 Ep195

61K views · 1mo ago · 2:17:00

“Policies must be driven by reality, not just models.” Dr. Tewodros Makonnen Gebrewolde An 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.

Topics: Career Journey · Research & Policy · Evidence & Decision-Making · Policy Implementation · Economic Reform · Inflation & Agriculture

እኔ ያለፍኩበት ሌላ ሰው እንዲያልፍበት አልፈልግም - Dr. Mohammed Shikur - S16 Ep194

89K views · 1mo ago · 2:04:03

“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 intersection of medicine, healthcare, business, and public service.

The Story Of HST - Tekeste Gebru - S16 Ep193

59K views · 1mo ago · 2:12:38

“The best leaders know how to listen.” Tekeste Gebru Our 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 accounting and auditing profession.

ኢትዮጲያ የሌላትን ነው የሰራነው! - Kiffle Yohannes Abebe - S16 Ep192

175K views · 2mo ago · 2:03:09

“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.

Topics: Life at Toyota · Return to Ethiopia · Building Komari · Marketing Arada · Becoming CEO · Future Plans

Don't Fix What Isn't Broken. - Wim Vanhelleputte - S16 Ep191

63K views · 2mo ago · 3:03:19

Attitude matters more than degrees.— Wim Vanhelleputte Our 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.

Topics: Origin Story: From Nuclear Plants to African Telecom · Leadership Philosophy: "Don't Fix What Isn't Broken" · Joining Safaricom Ethiopia · Early Mistakes & Managing Expectations · Safaricom Today: Growth, Network & Data Strategy · Building Local Talent

ዘመን ተሻጋሪ ድርጅት እንዴት ይገነባል?- Kemal M. Rashid - S15 Ep190

50K views · 3mo ago · 2:26:13

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.

የኢትዮጲያ ኢኮኖሚ ላይ ምን እየተፈጠረ ነው? - Mukemil Bedru - S15 Ep189

230K views · 3mo ago · 2:32:33

"Cash flow is more important than profit." — Mukemil Bedru Our 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 perspective on the future of Ethiopian finance.

Topics: Launching Prime Capital Investment Bank · Commercial Banking vs. Investment Banking Explained · The State of Ethiopia's Emerging Capital Market · Floating the Birr: Foreign Exchange Reforms Update · NBE Policy Updates: Credit Cap Removal & Exporter FX Retention · Special Economic Zones & Free Trade Zone Benefits

አለም ላይ ያልሰራሁበት ሀገር የለም - Bisrat Solomon Degefa - S15 Ep188

43K views · 3mo ago · 1:59:51

"The market doesn't care about your feelings it either pays for your solution or it doesn't." — Bisrat Solomon Degefa Our 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 technology.

Topics: Entrepreneurial Journey · Exploring Startup Life · Fundraising · Leadership · The Future of Work · Digital Transformation

ዘመድ አልቀጥርም - Samrawit Moges - S15 Ep187

66K views · 3mo ago · 1:41:35

"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, and championing sustainable, community-driven business across Ethiopia.

Topics: Early Life · Tourism Career · Building Travel Ethiopia · Women & Leadership · Tourism & COVID-19 · Leadership & Culture