Debrework Zewdie

Pioneering Ethiopian entrepreneur who transformed women's economic empowerment in Africa

Debrework Zewdie (born 1975) is a visionary business leader from Ethiopia who has made transformative contributions to women's economic empowerment across Africa. As founder of Women's Impact Network, she created Africa's largest platform connecting women entrepreneurs with resources and markets. Her organization has empowered over 100,000 women in 15 countries through training programs, microfinance services, and digital marketplaces. Zewdie's innovative approach combines traditional entrepreneurship with modern technology, enabling rural African women to access global supply chains. Her 2015 TED Talk "How to Build a Global Market for Local Products" highlights her strategy of leveraging local craftsmanship to create sustainable income streams. In 2018, she launched the Africa Women's Economic Forum, now the continent's leading platform for female business leaders. Zewdie's work has been recognized by the World Economic Forum and she serves on the board of the African Development Bank's Women in Business Initiative. Her groundbreaking initiatives have not only improved economic conditions but also fostered cross-cultural connections through products like Ethiopia's first women-owned organic coffee cooperative (Fair Trade Africa).