Africa at the Crossroads: A New Economic Dawn Fueled by Innovation, Diaspora Capital, and Bold Leadership











Interview with Lulite Ejigu, Chairperson of GRV and CEO & Managing Partner of Tevah Capital

About Lulite Ejigu

Lulite Ejigu brings a wealth of global financial expertise to her leadership at the Ethiopian Diaspora Trust Fund and currently serves as CEO & Managing Partner at Tevah Capital, a global advisory firm specializing in investment, capital strategy, and risk management. Before founding Tevah Capital, she held senior leadership roles at J.P. Morgan, Citi, and Morgan Stanley, focusing on risk governance, regulatory compliance, and capital markets operations.

Beyond her impressive résumé, Ejigu is deeply committed to empowering Ethiopia’s next generation. She has consistently championed youth leadership, women’s participation, and diaspora mentorship as critical levers for sustainable development. Throughout her career, she has led international delegations and forged investment linkages, helping to place Ethiopia on the global economic map.

The Winds of Global Change

In today’s fast-paced world, alliances, trade structures, and economic norms are rapidly evolving. While some nations scramble to adapt, Ethiopia—and the African continent more broadly—stands at a rare juncture, one that allows it to chart its own course.“We are witnessing a once-in-a-generation realignment,” Ejigu explains. “It’s a time when Ethiopia must actively define its future role rather than passively inherit a place.”

These global shifts open a rare window for the continent to lead its own reinvention.  has a unique chance to define its value proposition—whether through innovation, human capital, or strategic partnerships—in a world actively seeking new solutions. It is also a time for countries to remain focused and not get distracted, as the clarity and consistency of their vision will determine whether they shape the future—or are shaped by it.

GRV Summit: A Watershed Moment

The 2024 GRV Summit, often likened to a ‘mini-Davos’ for Ethiopian startups, marked a pivotal point for the country’s entrepreneurial landscape. Unlike previous development models anchored in aid, GRV ignited a new sense of possibility in the local innovation ecosystem.

“At GRV, we asked a critical question: ‘What or whom are we waiting for?’” Ejigu said. “This summit sparked a movement of urgency and ownership we had not seen before.”

More than just a networking platform, GRV offered a tangible framework—structured mentorship, strategic seed funding, and diaspora-led knowledge transfer. It demonstrated that Ethiopian entrepreneurs can lead, not follow, by building a community-driven model of innovation and investment with long-term potential for catalytic effect.

Diaspora Capital: A Sleeping Giant Awakens

For years, the global Ethiopian diaspora has primarily contributed through remittances. But now, a shift is underway. The diaspora is awakening to its potential as a transformative financial and intellectual force.

“Investing in Ethiopian startups offers both financial returns and the chance to shape a legacy of empowerment,” Ejigu explained.

With savings yields stagnating in many developed economies, Ethiopian ventures offer not only significant returns but also the opportunity to positively influence the next generation. Even modest contributions—like sharing expertise or opening networks—can have outsized impact on Ethiopia’s entrepreneurs. “The only moment we truly own is the present,” she emphasized. “Small but intentional actions today can transform the path of generations.”

Ethiopia’s Financial Renaissance: Birth of the ESX

A cornerstone of Ethiopia’s new financial chapter is the Ethiopian Securities Exchange (ESX). This long-awaited platform represents a critical step toward creating a modern and inclusive economy.

“The ESX offers Ethiopia a chance to build a modern, inclusive economy, much like India’s transformative journey,” Ejigu shared. “History offers insights into potential outcomes.”

By studying successful models like India’s 1990s liberalization, Ethiopia can design a capital market that genuinely empowers SMEs and entrepreneurs. Still, Ejigu adds a note of prioritization for sustained policy and institutional support to keep the momentum of this promising start.

Innovation as a Sovereignty Strategy

In today’s geopolitically charged climate, innovation is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity.

“Innovation is not a luxury; it’s a necessity for sovereignty,” Ejigu said. But she was quick to clarify that innovation extends far beyond fintech. From sustainable agriculture to manufacturing tech, Africa must build a broad innovation portfolio to buffer against global volatility.

“African leaders must actively monitor and adopt global innovations to maintain a competitive edge,” she advised. “But innovation must also be paired with vigilance to navigate global uncertainties.”

Empowering communities must become a collective decision—a deliberate shift in mindset that recognizes Africa’s own capacity to fund, innovate, and lead.

“It’s about shifting mindsets before shifting markets,” she noted.

Vision 2030: Ethiopia’s Emerging Blueprint

Looking ahead to 2030, the GRV movement and its ecosystem partners envision an inclusive and resilient economic architecture. Where there were once charity-driven narratives, there could soon be thriving innovation hubs and scalable startups.

“I envision communities once seen through the lens of charity becoming beacons of opportunity,” Ejigu said. “The seeds we plant today through initiatives like GRV can yield a thriving, resilient economic future.”

This future hinges on de-risking entrepreneurial pathways through seed funding, accelerator programs such as the UNDP’s Innovative Finance Lab, and new non-collateralized lending models driven by local banks.

The Balancing Act: Impact and Profit

Balancing social impact with financial sustainability remains a central challenge. Ethiopia’s emerging startups are tackling critical sectors—agriculture, education, healthcare—not only with purpose but with business discipline.

“We need businesses that deliver real impact and can survive beyond grant cycles,” Ejigu explained. “At GRV, we are proving that profitability and purpose are not mutually exclusive.”

The GRV model underscores operational excellence, diversified capital, and measurable social return—positioning Ethiopia’s startups as global case studies for sustainable enterprise.

A Fragile but Fierce New Beginning

Ethiopia stands on the brink of an economic rebirth. Its foundations—youthful energy, financial innovation, diaspora engagement, and bold leadership—are promising. But the road ahead will require commitment.

Structural reforms must deepen. Innovation ecosystems must be nurtured, not just celebrated. And narratives must be reshaped from within, not by external observers.

If Ethiopia succeeds, it won’t just redefine itself—it will offer a powerful blueprint for how emerging economies can seize global transformation on their own terms.