Hirut Gemechu

Ethiopian entrepreneur creating economic opportunities for women through fashion and tech

Hirut Gemechu (born 1982) is the founder of Ethio-Swiss Textiles, a company transforming Ethiopia's fashion industry. Starting with a single sewing machine in 2005, she built a business employing over 800 women producing luxury textiles exported to Europe. Her company website showcases designs blending traditional Ethiopian patterns with modern aesthetics. Gemechu pioneered Ethiopia's first women-owned tech startup incubator, "She Leads Africa Ethiopia", supporting 300+ female entrepreneurs. She developed the mobile app "Women's Empowerment Platform" connecting rural artisans to global markets. Her 2018 TEDx Talk "From Sewing Machine to Global Stage" highlights her journey. In 2021, she launched the first blockchain-based supply chain tracking system for Ethiopian coffee, ensuring fair wages for 10,000+ farmers. Gemechu's memoir "Weaving Dreams" (2020) details her challenges in a male-dominated business environment. She serves as UN Women's entrepreneurship advisor for East Africa, advocating for policies supporting women-led SMEs.