On the last Saturday of 2024, TCU held an event that underscored the power young African entrepreneurs have to influence youth. The event took place in the capital of Africa, amidst the hallowed halls of the historic Addis Ababa University. Two nationally renowned individuals were invited to share insights about the entrepreneurial landscape in Ethiopia, and the audience was fully engaged.
Ezedin Kamil, a 23-year-old CEO with a plethora of inventions, was the first to speak. He began by reminiscing about his brief time at AAU as a freshman before leaving for Turkey to pursue a degree in Software Engineering. He then shared stories of his birthplace and childhood, offering glimpses into his early life.
As a young boy, Ezedin loved challenges. He channeled this passion for problem-solving by dismantling electronic appliances and reassembling them, like a modern-day Victor Frankenstein. However, his love for creating and tinkering came at a cost, as his parents didn’t fully understand the purpose of his hobby. Undeterred, Ezedin pursued his passion for innovation, even if it meant facing opposition.
His vision began to take shape in 9th grade when he competed in a district science fair and won second place. In true Ethiopian fashion, he developed an app that automated coffee and tea orders. Appropriately, the aroma of Ethiopian coffee brewing and the smell of frankincense filled the room during his speech, alongside the warm presence of Abyssinian bread, embodying Ethiopia’s love for coffee culture.
Ezedin went on to list his 37—yes, 37—inventions, ranging from smoke detection systems to solar-powered treadmill cycles. Many of his innovations earned him awards, but Ezedin’s love of challenge drove him to seek harder-earned successes. He eventually left his Software Engineering program abroad, returned to Ethiopia, and founded Ibex, a company focused on innovative solutions at the intersection of privacy, technology, and promotion, among other areas.
Ezedin closed his speech by sharing the principles that have guided his success. He emphasized the importance of surrounding oneself with the right people, taking small steps toward big goals, and maintaining persistence, which he credits to his spirituality. When asked how he handles the challenges posed by Ethiopia’s ever-changing policies for business owners, he replied simply: his dreams are bigger than any obstacle, and he’d rather advocate for policy change than do nothing.
After a short briefing about TCU and its vision, the audience was introduced to another young entrepreneur, bringing yet another rich experience filled with lessons and youthful wisdom.
Yohannes Girma, 28, is not your typical entrepreneur. At just 14, he made the bold decision to broaden his horizons by attending a predominantly Black high school. He then moved on to university, where he struggled to pinpoint his true passion. Unlike his brother, who had always known he wanted to soar the skies as a pilot, Yohannes switched from Civil Engineering to Computer Engineering, then to Computer Science, before finally settling on Graphic Design and Filmmaking.
“I imagined myself building bridges as a civil engineer,” he laughed, reminiscing about his college freshman self. However, pursuing his true calling came at a cost. As a recent graduate in the demanding U.S. market, Yohannes landed a decent job with a healthy work environment but didn’t feel fulfilled. Following the inner voice guiding him, he sold some of his possessions to buy filming equipment. Starting with cooking videos and experimenting with TikTok trends, he gained an understanding of how social media works. Eventually, he decided to invest more time in content creation and quit his job when it became his primary source of income.
In 2020, Yohannes returned to Ethiopia, recognizing the country’s potential as fertile ground for a graphic designer. Upon his return, he worked with high-profile companies such as Unilever, DSTV, and Heineken, to name a few. Shortly after, he founded 1Take Production, a video production company focused on delivering high-quality content. While the journey was fruitful, Yohannes endured the taxing process that Ethiopian entrepreneurs face when building legacies.
Four years wiser, Yohannes now looks back at the challenges he faced as bricks to build upon. “It’s not about moving to or from a country,” he insists, “but rather about your mindset.” He concluded his speech by emphasizing that opportunities are everywhere and not confined to a specific place.
The two young entrepreneurs had a few things in common. Both are successful African entrepreneurs, big believers in self-learning, and adept at turning challenges into opportunities.
As the event drew to a close, the Art Track posed an important question through a poem titled “We Used To.” The poem reflected on the unity Ethiopia once took pride in but has since lost. It left the audience in awe, speechless, but filled with questions to ponder.
There was no better way to bid farewell to a year filled with ups and downs and welcome a promising new one.
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