The Engineer Who Rose from the Workshop to Lead Africa’s Skies

In an industry where global carriers often struggle for survival, Ethiopian Airlines stands as a formidable beacon of success. It is not just Africa’s largest and most profitable airline; it is a globally recognised aviation powerhouse. At the centre of this achievement is Mesfin Tasew, a man whose entire professional life has been dedicated to the career. Unlike many corporate leaders who are brought in from the outside, Tasew is a homegrown talent who rose from the technical hangars to the boardroom. His story is one of meritocracy, technical mastery, and a relentless commitment to a Pan-African vision.

Tasew’s journey began in 1984, when he joined Ethiopian Airlines as an Associate Engineer. He was a standout from the start, having graduated as a gold medalist from Addis Ababa University’s Faculty of Technology. For the first decade of his career, he worked "on the ground," serving as an Avionics Engineer and Supervisor. This period provided him with an intimate, hands-on understanding of the complex systems that keep an airline in the air. His technical foundation was later augmented by an MBA from the Open University in the UK, creating a unique profile that blended engineering precision with strategic business acumen.

Over the next four decades, Tasew navigated through every critical department of the airline. He served as Chief Information Officer, where he led the automation of maintenance systems, and later as Vice President of Maintenance and Engineering. For eleven years, between 2010 and 2021, he was the Chief Operating Officer (COO), a role in which he spearheaded initiatives to optimise processes and manage the airline’s rapid fleet expansion. When he was appointed Group CEO in March 2022, he brought with him nearly 40 years of institutional memory, a rare asset in the volatile world of aviation.

Under Tasew’s leadership, Ethiopian Airlines is currently implementing "Vision 2035," a strategic roadmap to become one of the top 20 most competitive aviation groups globally. A key pillar of this strategy is the "Multi-Hub" approach. Rather than relying solely on Addis Ababa, Tasew is building a network of hubs across the continent, including Lomé in Togo with ASKY, Lilongwe in Malawi, and Kinshasa in the DRC. This strategy is designed to ensure that Ethiopian Airlines remains the primary bridge between Africa and the world, and more importantly, between African nations themselves.

Perhaps Tasew’s most significant impact has been in the realm of industrial independence. In July 2025, the airline inaugurated a massive $150 million expansion of its Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities in Addis Ababa. This expansion includes state-of-the-art component workshops and two massive general maintenance hangars. Today, Ethiopian MRO is the largest on the continent, certified by the FAA and EASA, and provides services for over 1,200 aircraft components. By achieving high-level capabilities, such as the Leap-1B engine testing, exclusive to the Boeing 737 MAX, Tasew is ensuring that Africa no longer has to send its aircraft to Europe or the US for critical repairs.

Tasew’s leadership is defined by a belief in African excellence and a "can-do" spirit. He oversees a workforce of over 17,000 employees, emphasising technical excellence and workforce development at every level. In 2025, he was honoured with the Ato Girma Wake Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding contribution to African aviation, a fitting tribute to a man who has dedicated his life to making the African skies safer and more connected.

For Mesfin Tasew, the airline is more than a commercial enterprise; it is a "Pan-African success story" that proves what is possible when technical expertise is paired with visionary leadership. As he continues to steer the airline toward 2035, his focus remains on building a well-connected Africa where travelers can move freely across their own continent. From an Associate Engineer in 1984 to the Group CEO of Africa’s aviation giant, Mesfin Tasew is the engineer of the continent’s airborne future.

Ethiopian Airlines: Strategic Assets under Mesfin Tasew