In this captivating episode, discover how Meried Bekele, Ethiopia's pioneering network architect, overcame immense challenges to build a tech empire from scratch, pushing the boundaries of innovation on the African continent. Tune in to hear his inspiring journey from accidental entrepreneur to a mastermind envisioning Africa's digital transformation.

Meried Bekele is an accomplished entrepreneur, network architect, and speaker. At the age of 24, he became the only Ethiopian to achieve the prestigious CCIE certification. He later founded IE Networks, a leading enterprise in network, cloud, and IT services with over 200 certified employees and an annual revenue exceeding 500,000,000 ETB. With a mission to transform Africa's private sector through innovation, discipline, and commitment, Meried has been a pivotal force in driving technological advancements and digital transformation in Ethiopia and beyond for over 15 years.

Below are the key takeaways from this episode:

• Accidental Entrepreneurship: Meried Bekele started his journey as an entrepreneur by accident. Initially a consultant, he was pushed by high demand for his services to start IE Network Solutions, which now stands as a significant player in Ethiopia’s tech industry.
• Financial Challenges and Solutions: Meried faced significant financial barriers due to the lack of supportive banking systems in Ethiopia. He overcame these by leveraging personal connections and securing a mix of funding from friends, banks, and government contracts.
• Evolution of Tech Industry in Ethiopia: The tech landscape in Ethiopia has transformed significantly over the past 16 years. From limited broadband and no private tech players to an era marked by mobile money, ecommerce, and technological expansion driven by both public and private sectors.
• Inspiring Mentorship: A significant influence in Meried’s life was an American professor who exposed him to advanced tech concepts and inspired him to pursue a career focused on computer and Internet technology.
• Future Goals and Market Expansion: Meried aims to expand IE Networks beyond Ethiopia into other African markets and attract international clients. Plans include establishing local data centers and cloud services and listing the company on the Ethiopian Stock Exchange once it opens.

Todays guest, Meried Bekele, can be found online at:

Website: https://www.ienetworksolutions.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meriedbekele/?originalSubdomain=et

Your host, Scott Turman, can be found online at:

BrightRay Publishing: https://brightray.com/

Entrepreneur Website: https://scottturman.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottturman/