Gizeshwork Tessema, Addis Ababa (2026)

15/02/2026

I had the honor of participating in the
High-Level Dialogue on “The role of the private sector in realizing Africa's Agenda 2063” event on the margins of the 39th Assembly of the African Union (AU) in Addis Ababa this afternoon, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the AU Commission, emphasized:

“Africa’s era of exporting raw materials and importing value-added goods must end. With 1.4 billion people, 30% of the world’s critical minerals, and the as a foundation, the continent has the assets to industrialize, integrate, and lead.

Public policy alone is not enough, he said, ' Industrialization, energy transition, digital innovation, and value chain development require full private sector partnership,' he added.

He assured that the AU will strengthen regulatory coherence, reduce non-tariff barriers, and launch a Permanent Presidential Mechanism for strategic dialogue with African business, focused on results.

H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the AU Commission, concluded by underscoring that "every job is a contribution to peace... every investment is a vote of confidence in Africa’s future.'

11/02/2026

04/02/2026

Eng. Meheret Debebe, former CEO of the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCo)

If we take the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) with an estimated annual production of 15,500 gigawatt-hours, and apply a conservative average electricity price of USD 0.10 per kilowatt-hour, consistent with current African power markets, Ethiopia could generate approximately USD 1.5 billion in annual revenue.

Through regional power trade and cross-border electricity exports to neighboring countries and power pools, this revenue could increase significantly. At average European-equivalent prices, revenues could be two to three times higher, and under peak market conditions, such as those observed in Germany, annual turnover could reach up to USD 9 billion.

Electricity is a globally standardized commodity—regardless of whether it is consumed in Ethiopia, East Africa, or Europe. What matters is reliability, scale, and transmission connectivity, all of which GERD provides.

Beyond direct export revenues, GERD delivers substantial positive externalities for Ethiopia and the region: accelerated industrialization, reduced energy costs, enhanced energy security, foreign-currency earnings, and deeper regional economic integration through power interconnection. In this sense, GERD is not only a hydropower project, but a strategic regional economic infrastructure that anchors long-term growth and stability in East Africa.

30/01/2026

21st-Century Adwa Mia Amor Mottley Prim Minister of Barbados

Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam ( ) Is the 21st-Century Adwa

Citizens bought bonds.
Citizens made donations.
A nation funded its own future.

Just as at Adwa, Ethiopia stood alone and just as at Adwa, Ethiopia prevailed.

was not built for prestige. It was built out of necessity. Ethiopia has a population of over 130 million people, yet just over half have access to electricity.

When Ethiopia approached international financial institutions for loans, the answer was no. The international community refused to finance the project, for many reasons. So Ethiopians turned inward.

For those who may not know, Adwa was the 1896 battle where Ethiopia defeated Italy, an outcome no one believed possible. Ethiopia united, marched for nearly two years, and rose majestically. Adwa became the spark that ignited the Pan-African movement.

If you visit the Adwa Museum in Addis Ababa, you will see New York Times headlines of the time, astonished that an African nation had defeated a European power.

That victory helped give birth to Pan-Africanism, the great conferences, the 1945 Manchester Congress, and ultimately the independence movements led by figures like Kwame Nkrumah and others. It was the moment the world was forced to acknowledge that Black people could determine their own destiny after centuries of domination.

Today, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam ( ) carries that same spirit.

It is the largest dam in Africa, nearly two kilometers wide and over 550 feet high. You have to see it to believe it. I have never seen water move with such speed and force. Even after generating electricity, the overspill roars downward with astonishing power.

And yet, the most extraordinary fact remains this: it was built when the world said no.

The was not built for prestige. It was built out of necessity. Ethiopia has a population of over 130 million people, yet just over half have access to electricity.

And this is not only Ethiopia’s story, it is Africa’s story.

While the world speaks of artificial intelligence and advanced technology, nearly 600 million people out of Africa’s 1.4 billion still live without electricity. What makes this project even more remarkable is that it is powered by renewable energy, clean, sustainable, and not a burden on the planet.

But the most fascinating part of this story is not just the engineering. It is how Ethiopia funded it.

The central bank stepped forward. Domestic banks stepped forward. Ordinary citizens stepped forward.

28/01/2026

The Maritime & Logistics Academy at Babugaya, under the Ethiopian Maritime Transport & Logistics Service Enterprise, is pleased to announce enrollment for the 2nd Semester – February 1, 2026 intake.

Aspiring Ethiopian and international maritime professionals are invited to join internationally recognized STCW-compliant training programs designed to prepare officers for leadership roles at sea.

Programs Offered
• Basic Maritime Safety Training
• OICNW – Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch
(IMO Model Course 7.03)
• Mates & Masters – Limited & Unlimited
(IMO Model Course 7.01)
• OICEW – Officer in Charge of Engineering Watch
(IMO Model Course 7.04)
• Chief Engineer & Second Engineer – Limited
(IMO Model Course 7.02)

Training Duration
• 8 months, plus simulator and ancillary courses (up to 1 additional month)

Eligibility Criteria
• Minimum age: 18 years
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Medical fitness certificate
• Good command of English
• Compliance with STCW 1978 (as amended) requirements

Why Babugaya Nautical Academy?

• STCW & IMO Model Course–based training
• Experienced instructors & modern simulators
• Air-conditioned classrooms with advanced AV tools
• Cafeteria & accommodation services
• Scenic learning environment by Babugaya Lake

Registration Process
1. Submit required documents (certificates, ID, CDC, testimonials, etc.)
2. Pay registration fee at ESLS Head Office – Addis Ababa
3. Obtain eligibility confirmation from the Ethiopian Maritime Authority

• Now is the time to chart your course toward a global maritime career.
Join us and become a certified officer ready to take on greater responsibility in the growing maritime industry.

• Program Start Date: February 1, 2026
Location: Babugaya Nautical Academy

21/01/2026

Gizeshwork Tessema Represents Ethiopia and Africa at UN Conference in Vienna

Gizeshwork Tessema, CEO of GIZE PLC, represented Ethiopia and Africa at the Second United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, held from 3–5 November in Vienna, Austria.

The United Nations General Assembly adopted a 10-year action plan aimed at accelerating sustainable development in the world’s 32 landlocked developing countries. Heads of State and senior representatives from governments and international organizations gathered to discuss strategies for improving trade, connectivity, and economic growth for these nations.

Gizeshwork delivered a keynote speech before the Honorable UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, highlighting the critical role of the private sector in advancing sustainable development. She emphasized how business leadership can contribute to the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) and encouraged participation in the Rio+20 Corporate Sustainability Forum, organized by the UN Global Compact.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1MWY9pcniC/?mibextid=wwXIfr

20/01/2026

Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church across the country came together to celebrate Timket 2026, the sacred Epiphany commemorating the baptism of Jesus Christ by John the Baptist in the River Jordan. From major cities to rural communities, the celebration reflected profound faith and unity, with especially grand gatherings in Addis Ababa (Jan Meda) and the historic city of Gondar.

Timket 2026 was observed over three holy days beginning with Ketera, the solemn eve of preparation; followed by Timket Day, marked by holy water blessings and vibrant, colorful processions; and concluding with special rituals honoring St. Michael the Archangel.

Rituals, Music & Processions
• Tabots (sacred replicas of the Ark of the Covenant) were carried with deep reverence from churches to open spaces and water sites
• Clergy and worshippers chanted ancient hymns, played traditional drums, and shaded the Tabots with beautifully adorned ceremonial umbrellas
• Holy water was blessed in rivers, lakes, and pools, as the faithful renewed their baptismal vows through symbolic immersion

Recognized by UNESCO, Timket 2026 once again stood as more than a religious celebration—serving as a powerful expression of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church’s enduring spiritual heritage, rich cultural identity, and strong communal unity.

Gizeshwork Tessema

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