Melaku Berhe

Pioneered online education in sub-Saharan Africa through his innovative tech ventures

Melaku Berhe (b. 1978) is an Ethiopian entrepreneur and technologist who revolutionized education access across Africa through his pioneering work in edtech. As founder of Alefba, he developed Africa's first multilingual online learning platform connecting rural students with global educators. His work has impacted over 2 million learners in 15+ African countries through partnerships with UNESCO and the African Union.

Berhe's breakthrough came in 2001 when he launched KnowAfrica, a digital repository of indigenous knowledge systems that preserved endangered languages like Amharic and Oromo. His 2015 TED Talk 'Bridging the Digital Divide with African Solutions' has been viewed over 2 million times, inspiring tech innovators across the continent. Berhe's most recent venture, STEM4Africa, provides robotics education to girls in conflict zones through solar-powered mobile labs.