Commentaries | Jul 18,2020
ABREHAM TILAHUN (Kacha)
Abraham Tilahun, 40, married and a father of four, is an alumnus of Addis Abeba and Jimma universities and graduated in Banking & Finance and Accounting. Under his leadership, Kacha is the first private payment instrument issuer to obtain a license in 2022. Incorporated with 13 shareholders pooling 200 million Br subscribed capital, Kacha paved the way for others.
When was the first time you used a computer?
Ah, the early days at Addis Abeba University. Slow and steady might win the race, but it tested my tolerance.
What is your biggest fear?
AI demands a seat at the table.
May you share the title of a book you've enjoyed reading in 2023?
No Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention.
If you were trapped in a desert, what are the two things you would take?
I'm packing my unbreakable hope with an endless snack stash and a satellite phone. I am ready to roll with optimism and munch my way to resilience!
Do you recall that one unforgettable gift you received?
It has to be the surprise from my girlfriend (now my beloved wife)— a thoughtful gesture spoke louder than the watch she gave me as a Christmas gift at an early stage of our relationship.
How much was your first salary?
732 Br as a junior clerk at Construction & Business Bank.
What do you think is the most useless invention in human history?
The nuclear bomb.
What is your favourite form of physical activity?
I enjoy a leisurely walk; my heart has a soft spot for cardio.
What was the weirdest food you have tasted?
Octopus dish in Tanzania.
Which one is more likely? Winning the lottery or being awarded employee of the month?
Why not both? Let's make it rain with luck and recognition!
________________________________________________________
YOSEPH KIBRET (Primeir Switch)
Yosef Kibret, 52, married and a father of three, graduated with Computer Science & Statistics, Accounting and Business Leadership. He is an Addis Abeba University and Hilco School of Computer Science & Technology College alumnus. He is the CEO of Primeir Switch, a 12-year-old company making up half of the switch operating industry. It was incorporated with 30 million Br paid-up capital from Awash, Hibret, Nib, Berhan, Addis International and the Cooperative Bank of Oromia.
When was the first time you used a computer?
In 1988, I was a university student.
What is your biggest fear?
May you share the title of a book you've enjoyed reading in 2023?
CEO Excellence.
If you were trapped in a desert, what are the two things you would take?
Holy Bible and other related books.
Do you recall that one unforgettable gift you received?
Gratitude from my wife and children.
How much was your first salary?
500 Br gross salary as a junior statistician.
What do you think is the most useless invention in human history?
Army weapons.
What is your favourite form of physical activity?
Dance or Eskisita.
What was the weirdest food you have tasted?
I don't remember.
Which one is more likely? Winning the lottery or being awarded employee of the month?
The odds are for employee of the month.
___________________________________________________________________
TINSAE DESALEGN (SantimPay)
Tinsae Desalegn, 32, unmarried, is an Electrical & Computer Engineering graduate from Addis Abeba University. He is the CEO of SantimPay Financial Institution. Powered by mPOS, Unified Payment Interface (UPI) and Payment Gateway systems, the year-old share company was established with 161 million Br in subscribed capital.
When was the first time you used a computer?
Around 2007, I was in high school.
What is your biggest fear?
Thunderstorms.
What is a book you have enjoyed in 2023?
Messengers of Ethiopia.
If you were trapped in a desert, what are the two things you would take?
Water and matches.
Do you recall that one unforgettable gift you received?
Jesus Christ.
What do you think is the most useless invention in human history?
I don't think there is a useless invention.
What is your favourite form of physical activity?
Playing football.
How much was your first salary?
12,000 Br after working in electric installation.
What was the weirdest food you have tasted?
I don't recall the name, but it was made from chicken feet in China.
Which one is more likely? Winning the lottery or being awarded employee of the month?
I would be awarded employee of the month.
________________________________________________________________________
GASHAWTENA AMDETSION (Yaya Wallet)
GashawTena Amdetsion, married and a father of two, is an economics graduate and alumnus of Addis Abeba University. Under his leadership, the latest entrant into the payment instrument issuer business with 48 shareholders and 75 million Br paid-up capital marks two months since obtaining its license from the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE).
When was the first time you used a computer?
In 1997, I was an employee at the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE).
What is your biggest fear?
What is a book you have enjoyed in 2023?
If you were trapped in a desert, what are the two things you would take?
Water and matches.
Do you recall that one unforgettable gift you received?
Dolce & Gabbana perfume from my nephew.
How much was your first salary?
265 Br when I was in the army.
What do you think is the most useless invention in human history?
A nuclear weapon of mass destruction.
What is your favourite form of physical activity?
Walking, I'm better than anyone out there.
What was the weirdest food you have tasted?
Hilbet in Asmera, Eritrea.
Which one is more likely? Winning the lottery or being awarded employee of the month?
I spent my life buying lottery tickets; my luck with the employee of the month is better.
______________________________________________________________________
BERNARD LAURENDEAU (ArifPay)
Bernard Laurendeau, 40, married and a father of four, is a mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering and business administration graduate. He is the CEO of the two-year-old company founded with 140 million Br capital from 42 shareholders.
When was the first time you used a computer?
When I was 20 years old.
What is your biggest fear?
What is a book you have enjoyed in 2023?
Alliance of the Colored Peoples: Ethiopia and Japan before World War II.
If you were trapped in a desert, what are the two things you would take?
Water and the holy bible.
Do you recall that one unforgettable gift you received?
My first football.
How much was your first salary?
20 Br when I sold handmade drawings at eight years old.
What do you think is the most useless invention in human history?
Covid-19. it wasted three years of humanity.
What is your favourite form of physical activity?
Swimming.
What was the weirdest food you have tasted?
Bula in Ethiopia.
Which one is more likely? Winning the lottery or being awarded employee of the month?
Win the lottery.
____________________________________________________________
TESHOME ALEMAYEHU (YagoutPay)
Teshome Alemayehu, 55, married and a father of one, is an alumnus of Addis Abeba and Makerere universities. He graduated in Statistics, Economics and Policy Management and is the CEO of Yagout, incorporated in 2023, with 50 million Br subscribed and 13.5 million Br paid-up capital.
When was the first time you used a computer?
In 1988, I was a university student.
What is your biggest fear?
A car accident.
What is a book you have enjoyed in 2023?
Introduction to securities and investment.
If you were trapped in a desert, what are the two things you would take?
Comfortable outfits and water.
Do you recall that one unforgettable gift you received?
Gold Ring.
How much was your first salary?
508 Br as a junior statistician.
What do you think is the most useless invention in human history?
Army weapons.
What is your favourite form of physical activity?
Swimming.
What was the weirdest food you have tasted?
Matoki in Uganda.
Which one is more likely? Winning the lottery or being awarded employee of the month?
Becoming an employee of the month is much simpler.
PUBLISHED ON
Jan 07,2024 [ VOL
24 , NO
1236]
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