THE BOOK
Transforming the Way Businesses Run in Africa
” Building a successful, private business in Ethiopia is not only possible but gratifying.”
Ethiopia Incorporated dissects Ethiopia’s past, present, and future to answer this question. An engineer by trade turned “accidental entrepreneur,” Meried Bekele recognizes that the core of most problems is not understanding the problem itself.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
01
Accidental Entrepreneur
- This chapter tells the origin story of IE Networks. I did not establish the IT company because I hoped to scale it into a national enterprise. Rather, IE Networks was originally used to manage my part-time freelance work and grew from there, making me an “accidental entrepreneur.”
02
Beyond Just Enough
- Problem: Several sectors in Ethiopia are vital to society yet inefficient, including education, healthcare, infrastructure, and agriculture.
- Solution: Entrepreneurship is the only true solution, yet many challenges deter aspiring
business owners.
03
A Competitive Economy
- Problem: The prevailing communist mentality stifles new businesses.
- Solution: The government must relinquish some control in favor of a more competitive economy. Entrepreneurs must then seize that opportunity.
04
Expedite Systems
- Problem: A frustrating amount of bureaucracy causes many aspiring entrepreneurs to give up early in the process.
- Solution: Secure automation tools, such as online business license applications, should be implemented to expedite time-consuming systems.
05
The Tax Burden
- Problem: The taxation system is rife with corruption and ineffiency, breeding distrust between the government and its citizens.
- Solution: Large-scale tax reforms must introduce better tax exemptions and tax return policies so that business owners feel proud, rather than ashamed, of taking advantage.
06
Accessible Financing
- Problem: With limited investment options and credit systems, the reliance on bank provided funding means that startups have a difficult time launching, let alone scaling.
- Solution: Laws must be revised to invite foreign investors and banks, introduce a more effective credit system, and diversify ways to receive financing.
07
Invest in Learning
- Problem: Graduates often leave college without proper professional skills, meaning companies must train new hires from scratch, not in policy but in methodology.
- Solution: As Ethiopia continues to improve its education system, companies are responsible for providing opportunities, investing in staff development, and guiding the workforce to a place of increased knowledge and expertise.
08
High-Performing Teams
- Problem: Ethiopian business culture tends to be laissez faire, with a lack of skilled employees,
high absenteeism rates, and low motivation. - Solution: Companies need leaders who empower employees by instilling goals and milestones, structure, and most importantly, purpose-driven work.
09
Export African Talent
- Problem: Although outsourcing opportunities would radically change the economy, challenges such as digital illiteracy and internet reliability discourage foreign businesses from expanding into Ethiopia.
- Solution: Ethiopia is a “sleeping giant” in outsourcing. Opening the economy would revolutionize daily life, be a strategic advantage for foreign companies, and make a lasting impact on Africa as a whole.
THE AUTHOR
Meried Bekele
is an entrepreneur, network architect & speaker.
Meried began his career as a Network Engineer, quickly distinguishing himself as an expert in designing private and federal network systems. As Ethiopia’s first Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) holder, he became a consultant for Ethio Telecom and other prominent organizations at an early age.
His company IE Networks is Ethiopia’s leading IT Solution provider with specializations in enterprise network service, business AI, smart infrastructure, cloud services and end-to-end IT services.
Dive in below to watch and learn more about his journey.
Reviews
First Reader’s Testimonies
Ethiopia Incorporated dissects Ethiopia’s past, present, and future to answer this question. An engineer by trade turned “accidental entrepreneur”. Whether you’re a young professional or an established leader, this book offers invaluable lessons on seizing opportunities, overcoming challenges, and driving innovation.
Ethiopia Incorporated shows the opportunity for entrepreneurship in Africa, especially in Ethiopia. By including personal stories and experiences, Meried provides a multi-faceted analysis of the challenges and opportunities in our country, suggesting practical solutions through an effective structure. The profound message not only inspires young professionals but also raises awareness and teaches. It is positively impactful.
I recommend Ethiopia Incorporated to young Ethiopian entrepreneurs, business professionals, and policymakers interested in economic development. Its combination of personal narrative and practical advice makes it a powerful tool for those looking to make a difference in Ethiopia’s business landscape.
Meried’s story is truly inspiring. Even though I was fortunate to know him well during his college years, reading about his journey was still a captivating experience. Most importantly, his humility is a signature of his success.
Ethiopia Incorporated delivers an insightful and inspiring exploration of the evolving persona of Meried Bekele from a humble beginning to an established entrepreneur. Meried’s engaging writing style manages to link how social, cultural, religious, and political issues crafted the Ethiopian mindset in all aspects of life, making complex business practices and concepts friendly without diluting their significance. This skillful writing ensures that the book is not only informative but also a pleasure to read.
Ethiopia Incorporated provides equal motivation for seasoned professionals and would-be entrepreneurs. It is a blessing to share one’s experience and knowledge as a way to give back
Ethiopia Incorporated is unapologetically honest and brave. Meried does a marvelous job of compacting a grossly complicated topic, particularly in the context of Ethiopia. His personal stories makes the book readable and relatable. I am sure it will go a long way in helping the youth of our country.
Ethiopia Incorporated flashed me back to some of my memories at MinT, Ethio Telecom, and all the stories I used to hear so much about. It reminded me of the good old days, full of challenges and opportunities. Meried’s reflections are unique and educational, and he does an amazing job of combining his thoughts and life story with business principles.