Experience

weVentureHub

• Ethiopia
• Venture Capital and Private Equity Principals
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Managing Partner

  • Feb 2023 - Present

  Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

• Managing Partner

  • Jan 2023 - Present

  Addis Ababa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia



ActionCOACH Global

• United States
• Professional Training and Coaching
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Certified Business Coach and Partner

  • Jan 2023 - Present

  Las Vegas, US ActionCOACH is the world's # 1 business coaching firm, based in Las Vegas, US. Our vision is to create world abundance through business re-education. We have world class business coaching services including 1 to 1 business coaching, group training, seminars and workshops on business management sales and leadership. Our products are of the highest quality and guarantee results.

• Partner| Certified Business Coach

  • Nov 2022 - Present

  Las Vegas, Nevada, United States ActionCOACH is the world's #1 business coaching firm. We educate our clients in world-class marketing and business development techniques. Our vision is "creating world abundance through business re-education. In addition to our signature one-on-one business coaching services, we provide a wide array of workshops and seminars on business development.



weVentureHub PLC

• Managing Partner

  • Jan 2023 - Present

  Addis Ababa, Ethiopia weVenture Hub specialises in identifying, grooming and scaling tech-enabled and other innovative start-ups and early-stage busineesses in Ethiopia. We’re committed to driving change by cultivating innovations through providing early-stage venture capital and market linkages, building relationships with key industry players and catalyzing an enabling start-up ecosystem.



NetBizImpact

• Kenya
• Investment Management

• Founder/CEO

  • Feb 2017 - Present

  Nairobi, Addis - East Africa Promoting inclusive, sustainable and innovative agribusiness development in Africa! Steady economic growth patterns in most African countries are revealing that Africa is poised to become the next global economic powerhouse. ICT and innovation have catapulted barely tapped traditional sectors such as agribusiness, and FMCG supply chain, manufacturing, education and health as risk-calibrated and high-impact investment opportunities. With more than 245 million consumers and a… Show more Promoting inclusive, sustainable and innovative agribusiness development in Africa! Steady economic growth patterns in most African countries are revealing that Africa is poised to become the next global economic powerhouse. ICT and innovation have catapulted barely tapped traditional sectors such as agribusiness, and FMCG supply chain, manufacturing, education and health as risk-calibrated and high-impact investment opportunities. With more than 245 million consumers and a regional GDP of more than $200 billion, East Africa (mainly Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda) is recognized as the next frontier for global businesses and investments. Ethiopia alone boasts a market size of close to 100 million consumers and is one of the fastest growing economies in Africa with a sustained annual GDP growth rate ranging 10-13 percent over the last few years. The African Development Bank estimates that the region’s (13 countries in total) GDP will multiply eighteen-fold by 2050, expanding from a base of $185 billion in 2010 to $3.5 trillion by mid-century if progress along the current promising path can be sustained. Ambitious and innovative domestic companies and entrepreneurs in agribusiness, food, apparel and clothing industry, renewable energy, health and education sectors seek to partner with inspiring and visionary global investors and multinational companies. The region also offers unparalleld greenfield investment opporunties in various sectors. My mission is to widen and deepen a win-win business partnership between domestic and international actors. This includes providing global investors seasoned advisory services and step by step strategic guidance anchored in local knowledge, sector expertise and key industry contacts. I’m happy to be at your service: makeda@netbizimpact.com www.netbizimpact.com Show less



Grow Africa Initiative

• Switzerland
• Food and Beverage Manufacturing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Country Representative – Malawi & Ghana

  • Feb 2015 - Nov 2016

  GROW AFRICA – An AUC and NEPAD-funded World Economic Forum Initiative, February 2015 to December 30, 2015 • Crafted the strategy to exploit Ghana’s largely underutilized indigenous cassava crop (Africa’s 4th largest cassava producer), opening an estimated ~$20 million market of cassava supplied annually for industrial manufactured products in Ghana – – – – Food, drinks, glues, plywood, textiles and pharmaceuticals • Established an innovative industrial cassava value chain… Show more GROW AFRICA – An AUC and NEPAD-funded World Economic Forum Initiative, February 2015 to December 30, 2015 • Crafted the strategy to exploit Ghana’s largely underutilized indigenous cassava crop (Africa’s 4th largest cassava producer), opening an estimated ~$20 million market of cassava supplied annually for industrial manufactured products in Ghana – – – – Food, drinks, glues, plywood, textiles and pharmaceuticals • Established an innovative industrial cassava value chain stakeholders platform that brought in 30+ key industry players – – – – Producers, processors, equipment fabricators, financiers, and off-takers leveraging partnership with global industry players such as the Cassava World Summit (Brazil) and the World Starch Conference (Asia) • Identified needs, priorities, and constraints to inclusive/responsible agricultural investment and stimulated collaboration to overcome constraints by investment, partnership-brokering, and capacity-building – – – – Leveraged financing and technology from Grow Africa’s network of commercial, financial, and technical partners, from Guinness Ghana Breweries (subsidiary of Diageo), Olam, Yara, Unilever, Dupont, and Netafim, among others • Headed Dec. 2015 launch and secured dignitaries including Minister of Food & Agriculture and other key industry players • Planned/managed the annual Grow Africa Investment Forum 2015 at the World Economic Forum’s annual Africa Summit Show less



USAID

• United States
• International Affairs
• 700 & Above Employee

• Private Enterprise Development Advisor

  • Sep 2012 - Feb 2015

  Kenya • Designed and launched a $23 million Agricultural Innovation Fund, a venture capital fund-type incubator, Kenya Feed the Future Innovation Engine (KFIE), advising on expansion of innovative private sector strategies supporting agricultural development and food security • Served on the Investment Advisory Committee and directed the Fund Manager, vetting innovations and overseeing implementation • Provided technical assistance to a $45 million financial inclusiveness program promoting… Show more • Designed and launched a $23 million Agricultural Innovation Fund, a venture capital fund-type incubator, Kenya Feed the Future Innovation Engine (KFIE), advising on expansion of innovative private sector strategies supporting agricultural development and food security • Served on the Investment Advisory Committee and directed the Fund Manager, vetting innovations and overseeing implementation • Provided technical assistance to a $45 million financial inclusiveness program promoting growing businesses via loan guarantees and value chain financing • Represented the USG on innovation and impact investment forums/panels • Forged partnerships among agribusinesses and other private sector agricultural value chains and ensured programs could leverage substantial private capital • Provided trade- and energy-related company analyses used by leaders for investment decisions

• Acting Director – Agriculture Business & Environment Office

  • Oct 2004 - Aug 2012

  Kenya Also served as Trade & Development Liaison and Senior Livelihoods Advisor • Promoted private sector engagement in Kenyan agriculture sector and helped identify potential investment opportunities • Encouraged effective partnership between the Government of Kenya and agricultural development companies • As Acting Director of USAID/Kenya’s Agriculture Business and Environment Office, managed $30+ million portfolio • Introduced the 1st sharia-compliant financial services in… Show more Also served as Trade & Development Liaison and Senior Livelihoods Advisor • Promoted private sector engagement in Kenyan agriculture sector and helped identify potential investment opportunities • Encouraged effective partnership between the Government of Kenya and agricultural development companies • As Acting Director of USAID/Kenya’s Agriculture Business and Environment Office, managed $30+ million portfolio • Introduced the 1st sharia-compliant financial services in northeastern Kenya supporting women’s groups in nutrition production and marketing – – – Led design and development of a $10 million follow-on livestock value chain program (USAID/Kenya Drylands Livestock Development Program) • Managed the $500 million annual USG humanitarian response initiative • Headed high-level visits to USAID projects including Barack Obama’s visit in 2006



USAID/Ethiopia

• Deputy Chief, Assets and Livelihoods Transition Office

  • Apr 1997 - Aug 2003

  Advanced on fast track through four roles in five years by managing projects, and later large-scale nationwide initiatives, relating to the preservation and stimulation of trade/related assets • Managed nearly $500 million in development and emergency portfolios, oversaw national and international and national staff, liaised with other technical offices and worked closely with the Mission Director and other members of Senior Management in Ethiopia and Washington • Led design and… Show more Advanced on fast track through four roles in five years by managing projects, and later large-scale nationwide initiatives, relating to the preservation and stimulation of trade/related assets • Managed nearly $500 million in development and emergency portfolios, oversaw national and international and national staff, liaised with other technical offices and worked closely with the Mission Director and other members of Senior Management in Ethiopia and Washington • Led design and planning of high-level food security strategy documents/programs, including the Productive Safety Net Program (PSNP), Cross-Border Trade and Pastoral Livestock Development initiatives • Managed multiple projects on food security, water and sanitation, nutrition and environment, working in partnership with other technical experts within and outside USAID. • Managed the $25 million USAID/Ethiopia development program • Provided technical and managerial leadership to eight international and local NGOs implementing development program in line with USAID policies and regulations Show less



Commercial Bank of Ethiopia

• Ethiopia
• Banking
• 700 & Above Employee

• Project Officer

  • Sep 1995 - Mar 1997

  Addis Ababa, Ethiopia • Assessed company business plans for viability and made recommendations on commercial loan decisions; advised companies on operations to promote success and reduce bank risk • Appointed by the Bank Governor to task force implementing quick-fix actions recommended by the WB’s Structural Adjustment Program (SAP)