Melisew Habte-Wold

Pioneering Ethiopian aviation entrepreneur who broke gender barriers in male-dominated industries

Melisew Habte-Wold (1940–2018) was a groundbreaking Ethiopian aviation executive and business leader who shattered gender norms in Africa's transportation sector. As the founder of Ethiopian Airlines, she became Africa's first female airline captain and the first woman to lead a major African airline. Her visionary leadership transformed the airline into a continent-leading carrier, connecting Africa to global markets through strategic route expansions.

During her tenure as CEO (1975–1990), she implemented innovative safety protocols that made Ethiopian Airlines the first African carrier to receive international safety certification. Her 1980s initiatives to modernize fleet management and expand into East Africa created thousands of jobs while fostering economic integration. Melisew's gender-defying achievements inspired generations of African women in STEM fields, as documented in the African Women Leaders Archive.

Her legacy includes establishing the first female pilot training program in Ethiopia and advocating for women's inclusion in aviation governance bodies. The Journal of African Business credits her with pioneering the continent's aviation safety standards, which became a model for other African nations. Despite her 2018 passing, her leadership remains a cornerstone of Ethiopia's economic development strategies outlined in the Ethiopian Airlines Group Sustainability Report.