Fortune: If you were likely to be trapped in the desert, what two things would you bring with you?
Wolde Bulto: Two things would matter most. First, water, not just having it, but finding a way to make it last. Second, shelter, because the weather can be brutal and unforgiving.
Q: What was your first job, and how much was your first paycheck?
After graduating from Addis Abeba University, I joined the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) as a management trainee, my first job 26 years ago. My starting salary was 832 Br. Many of us from that trainee batch went on to become CEOs, leading institutions such as Buna Bank, Abay Bank, and the Bank of Abyssinia (BoA).
Q: Do you recall an unforgettable milestone or a moment in your career that shaped your path?
It is not just one thing, but if I had to choose, finishing high school stands out. I graduated 30 years ago, in 1987, with a strong 3.8 GPA, a milestone that remains one of the most significant achievements in my life.
Q: What is the biggest part of your dreams you won’t compromise?
Making a meaningful difference is something I will never compromise. Whenever circumstances have challenged that, I have taken action to stay true to it. My enduring dream is to contribute in ways that positively impact the community. Focusing solely on personal life is not enough. True purpose comes from doing something that helps others, giving your existence real meaning.
Q: Do you remember what it is like falling in love?
Love is a desire for closeness, and I experience it deeply with my wife. If I had to describe the feeling in one word, it would be ‘restless’, a constant pull toward connection.
Q: What is the weirdest food you have ever tasted?
I have travelled extensively for work, including Australia, South America, North America, Europe, and Asia. Because of our culture, I take what I eat very seriously. I rarely try unfamiliar foods and usually stick to chicken when I travel. Eighteen years ago in Frankfurt, I was with colleagues and, as usual, ordered chicken. One friend chose a unique, expensive dish. It was a seafood that did not fit our cultural diet, and we returned it without tasting. Even with my usual choice, if I do not like the spices, I won’t hesitate to send it back.
Q: Do you recall an unforgettable gift you have received?
More than any material gift, the blessings I received from my parents when I went to university were the most meaningful and unforgettable. Beyond that, gifts from my wife, like my watch, also hold a special place in my heart.
Q: Would you rather speak all languages in the world or be the most specialist in your field?
My personal wish is to live with an open mind, embrace many cultures, speak multiple languages, and build meaningful connections. Locally, I speak Amharic and Afan Oromo. Internationally, I understand English and try to speak it, and I listen to German, with plans to learn more languages. Through this, I can experience more cultures and expand my connections, and that is what I choose.
Q: From the financial world, what do you personally believe is useless?
The financial ecosystem is large and complex, and I do not think any part of it is useless. What it does need is balance. Take personal banking, for example. A person earns income, covers living costs, saves for the future, and follows a financial plan. Each component is important, but there are points of imbalance, for instance, when people take multiple loans from different banks. While this shows that services are accessible, it also reveals areas where the system requires better regulation and equilibrium.
Q: If you did not have this job, what would your career have been?
I would definitely be in business. My parents were merchants with their own enterprise, so it runs in my blood. If I had not entered the banking industry, I might have pursued a career in education instead.
PUBLISHED ON
Sep 07,2025 [ VOL
26 , NO
1323]
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