Ethio telecom CEO tops the 2023 Choiseul 100 Africa Economic Leaders of Tomorrow list

Addis Ababa, October 5, 2023 (FBC) – Ethio telecom CEO, Ms Frehiwot Tamru, has been ranked first among the 2023 laureates of Choiseul 100 Africa Economic Leaders of Tomorrow, a list of young African leaders who played a major role in the economic development of the continent.

Following the announcement of the list, Ms Frehiwot has become the first-ever female laureate to hold the top spot on the podium. Another laureate from Ethiopia, Ms Selamawit Samuel Taffese, Executive Deputy Chairwoman at Sunshine Business is also among the 100 list.

Furthermore, her compatriots Mr. Batuael Bizenu, Exedutive Director at East African Holding Ltd and Ms Lelise Neme, Chief Commissioner of Ethiopian Investment Commission, have also been included in the Choiseul 200 Africa Economic Leaders of Tomorrow rankings.

In his congratulatory message to the laureates, President of Institut Choiseul, Pascal Lorot, said, “I am particularly honoured this year to note the marked increase in the number of women in the ranking, which sends out a positive signal to the entire continent’s women leaders and entrepreneurs. In fact, this is the first time that a female laureate [Frehiwot Tamru] has held the top spot on the podium.”

“This new generation sends out a strong message of hope and optimism,” he noted.

Faced with the many challenges associated with the digitalisation of the continent, the urgency of the ecological transition and the rapid development of infrastructures, young African entrepreneurs are demonstrating resilience and a great capacity to adapt, the Institut Choiseul President underscored.

“In a world of increasingly rapid and complex change, I believe that it is their adaptability and leadership that are their greatest resources,” he said, adding that they are in the best position today to influence the decisive choices that will shape the continent’s economic future.

The Choiseul 100 Africa is a unique annual study carried out by the Choiseul Institute. It identifies and ranks the 200 young African leaders aged 40 and under with the ambition to bring Africa to its highest level of economic, societal and cultural development.

The laureates’ areas of activity include chemicals, agrifood, tourism, industry, new technologies, banking, insurance, innovation and energy.

Following recognition of its CEO as top of the laureates’ list, Ethio telecom released a statement on social media noting that it is honored to receive this high profile recognition from the Choiseul institute and take this ranking as an encouraging recognition to its efforts, for the works that it has done leveraging the mobile technology to accelerate digital transformation, ensure digital and financial inclusion for sustainable development.

Ethio telecom further noted, “We shall extend our efforts and work towards accelerating the digital transformation of our continent.”