I am a bilingual Amharic and English strategic finance and governance leader with more than 20 years of senior executive experience across Ethiopia’s trading, manufacturing, construction, export, and property management sectors. I have led treasury operations, budgeting, financial planning, compliance, audits, import and export activities, and multi-entity business operations while working closely with banks, regulators, auditors, and government offices. I enjoy turning business opportunities into practical, well-governed initiatives that support sustainable growth. My experience includes launching a coffee export business, negotiating banking and supplier arrangements, strengthening cash controls, implementing financial reporting systems, and supporting market expansion. I bring a friendly, accountable, and commercially minded approach to leadership, stakeholder engagement, and project execution.…

Zelalem Getahun

I am a bilingual Amharic and English strategic finance and governance leader with more than 20 years of senior executive experience across Ethiopia’s trading, manufacturing, construction, export, and property management sectors. I have led treasury operations, budgeting, financial planning, compliance, audits, import and export activities, and multi-entity business operations while working closely with banks, regulators, auditors, and government offices. I enjoy turning business opportunities into practical, well-governed initiatives that support sustainable growth. My experience includes launching a coffee export business, negotiating banking and supplier arrangements, strengthening cash controls, implementing financial reporting systems, and supporting market expansion. I bring a friendly, accountable, and commercially minded approach to leadership, stakeholder engagement, and project execution.…

Available to hire

I am a bilingual Amharic and English strategic finance and governance leader with more than 20 years of senior executive experience across Ethiopia’s trading, manufacturing, construction, export, and property management sectors. I have led treasury operations, budgeting, financial planning, compliance, audits, import and export activities, and multi-entity business operations while working closely with banks, regulators, auditors, and government offices.

I enjoy turning business opportunities into practical, well-governed initiatives that support sustainable growth. My experience includes launching a coffee export business, negotiating banking and supplier arrangements, strengthening cash controls, implementing financial reporting systems, and supporting market expansion. I bring a friendly, accountable, and commercially minded approach to leadership, stakeholder engagement, and project execution.

See more

Language

Amharic
Fluent
English
Fluent

Work Experience

Finance & Operations Manager at MNRC Raw Materials Import & Export PLC
January 1, 2023 - Present
Directed treasury, budgeting, and compliance for trading and construction operations. Strengthened governance systems, enforced cash discipline, oversaw garment manufacturing operations, and supported the company’s role as a large taxpayer enterprise.
Commercial Director at Abulkhase PLC
January 1, 2022 - January 1, 2023
Oversaw finance, procurement, and administration for industrial and agricultural input imports. Directed the assembly of electrical products while maintaining liquidity control, regulatory compliance, and operational support for expansion activities.
General Manager at SNAP Trading & Industry PLC
January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2022
Led multi-entity manufacturing and export operations at board level. Directed statutory audits, oversaw operational performance, managed ERP system rollout, and launched a coffee export business as an investment and growth initiative.
General Manager (Board-level) at SNAP Trading & Industry PLC
January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2022
Directed diversified operations across manufacturing, trading, real estate, and export activities. Oversaw statutory audits, Ethiopian tax and export compliance, ERP system rollout, and factory establishment projects, including workflow design and commissioning.
Chief Accountant / Finance Manager at SNAP Trading & Industry PLC
January 1, 2006 - January 1, 2015
Designed financial reporting systems, led successful tax audits, and implemented cost accounting frameworks to support pricing decisions and profitability management.

Education

MBA, Business Administration at Jimma University (ABH Campus)
January 11, 2030 - September 13, 2026
BA, Accounting & Finance at Alemaya University
January 11, 2030 - September 13, 2026
Diploma, Bookkeeping & Accounting at Entoto Technical & Vocational College
January 11, 2030 - September 13, 2026
MBA in Business Administration at Jimma University, ABH Campus
January 11, 2030 - September 13, 2026
BA in Accounting and Finance at Alemaya University
January 11, 2030 - September 13, 2026
Diploma in Bookkeeping and Accounting at Entoto Technical & Vocational College
January 11, 2030 - September 13, 2026

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Manufacturing, Wholesale & Distribution, Real Estate & Construction, Agriculture & Mining, Government, Financial Services, Transportation & Logistics
    Trade Logistics, FX Structuring & Corporate Tax Defense Case Study

    Project Description: Overview Formulated and executed a multi-entity financial oversight strategy for an Ethiopian import/export and trading enterprise, focusing on cash flow discipline, FX sourcing, and statutory tax compliance. Key Contributions & Strategic Impact: Trade Finance & FX Management: Structured foreign exchange allocations and Letters of Credit (LCs) to ensure uninterrupted import operations while protecting margins against currency fluctuations. Tax Compliance & Audit Defense: Led successful corporate audit defenses before the Ministry of Revenues, reconciling historical accounts to mitigate tax exposure and penalty risks. Capital Planning & Treasury Controls: Implemented working capital controls that enhanced cash runway, streamlined customs clearance processes, and reduced demurrage/port expenses. Governance & ERP Integration: Standardized internal control systems and led team transitions toward digitized, audit-ready financial reporting.