Getahun Asaminew

Pioneer in Ethiopian telecommunications, laying the foundation for modern digital infrastructure in Africa.

Getahun Asaminew is a visionary Ethiopian entrepreneur and engineer who revolutionized telecommunications in Africa. Born in Addis Ababa in 1958, he co-founded Ethio Telecom in 1993, which became the cornerstone of Ethiopia's digital transformation. Under his leadership, the company expanded mobile and internet services from zero to over 60 million subscribers by 2020, connecting rural communities through innovative infrastructure projects like the Ethiopian National Fiber Optic Network. His work enabled Ethiopia to become a regional tech hub, inspiring similar initiatives across East Africa. Asaminew's advocacy for affordable access earned him the ITU's Digital Development Award in 2015.