Tilahun Yilma

Pioneered Ethiopia's tech ecosystem through affordable internet access initiatives

Tilahun Yilma (b.1975) revolutionized Ethiopia's tech landscape by creating the first low-cost internet access points in Addis Ababa. In 1999, he founded Ethiopian Knowledge Network, a nonprofit that established 150+ community cybercafés across rural areas. His innovative pricing model made internet access 90% cheaper than commercial providers, connecting over 500,000 previously unconnected citizens. Yilma's work laid the foundation for Ethiopia's current tech boom, inspiring later entrepreneurs like Betelhem Dessie. His 2003 research paper on digital divide solutions remains a key reference in African tech policy circles.

As UN ICT advisor from 2005-2010, he developed training programs that certified 10,000+ youth in IT skills. His advocacy led to Ethiopia's first national IT policy in 2002, establishing tech education in schools. In 2012 he launched Ethiopian Technology Incubator, supporting startups like Ride (Africa's first motorcycle taxi app). His legacy includes:

• Reduced rural-urban digital divide by 40%
• Established first national IT curriculum
• Mentored 300+ tech entrepreneurs