Temesgen Kelbessa

Pioneered Ethiopia's internet infrastructure and digital education initiatives

Introduction

Temesgen Kelbessa (born 1968) is an Ethiopian computer scientist and entrepreneur who revolutionized Africa's digital landscape through his work in internet infrastructure and educational technology. As founder of the Ethiopia Telecommunications Corporation's (ETC) IT department in the early 1990s, he created the continent's first national fiber-optic backbone system, connecting over 200 cities by 2000. His innovations made Ethiopia the first African nation with a fully operational domestic internet network.

Key Contributions

In 1995, Kelbessa established the first Ethiopian internet service provider (ETNet) which provided critical infrastructure for the nation's tech growth. He later founded the Ethiopian Distance Learning Network (EDLN) in collaboration with Addis Ababa University, creating Africa's first online education platform. This initiative connected 120 rural schools through satellite technology, enabling access to quality education for over 50,000 students annually.

Global Impact

Kelbessa's work inspired similar projects across Africa, including Ghana's National Fiber Optic Network and Kenya's e-Learning initiatives. His 2003 creation of the African Virtual University Consortium (AVUC) now serves 14 countries. His TED Talk "Connecting Africa's Future" has over 1.2 million views.

Legacy

Named 2005 World Information Society Award winner, Kelbessa's innovations reduced Ethiopia's digital divide by 40% between 1998-2010. Current projects include the Pan-African Research and Education Network (PAREN) linking 54 African countries. His work is documented in the UN's "ICT for Development in Africa" report.