May 2021
ADDIS ABABA
21 "When I look ahead ten years from now, our tech ecosystem will have a capacity to develop technology instead of just consuming it"
Markos Lemma Innovator, Entrepreneur, Tech Enthusiast
CatchUp
ListenUp
Remember Woodstock? A generational retrospective
Ever wondered where Techno music came from? Here’s a breakdown of what made the sound.
LinkUp Bucketlist South Africa’s many faces, diversified destinations in a diverse nation.
04 Editor’s Letter
08 Followup
Guzo Shoes Great Distances
20 Closeup
Markos Lemma Innovator, Entrepreneur, Tech Enthusiast
34 Linkup
Bucket List
05
07
Linkup
Thumbsup
11
15
Woodstock 1969 Musical warfare
Gari Autocare Plus
Brief
Catchup
25 28
WhatsUp
Shifta Bandit’s paradise
Whatsup+
Yenegew Bazaar
36
Listenup ORIGINS: TECHNO A Tale of Two Cities
Eatup
One stop maintenance
32 Reelup
Movie Reviews
37 38
Linkup
Horoscope
Linkup
City Guide
Last April brought a few COVID-19 hiccups to the events scene in Addis - new laws, regulations, and what not. Yet again we still endure, and despite this, Addis has still managed to almost defiantly push out different types of events. So, we keep on adapting and holding on as each new month unveils something new. Speaking of the new, last month saw the release of renowned designer Mafi's new shoe line, artisanal bazaars, and more that we bring you in this issue. Also feel free to check out our long-standing sections (some with slight changes), while waiting for the new ones we have in store (any guesses or suggestions?). From a nostalgic recap of Woodstock to Shifta's new home and more reads lie beyond this page. We also take a deeper look into one of East Africa’s top innovation and incubation hubs, as well as the man behind the vision and so on. We hope you enjoy this one and engage with us to help make subsequent publications more entertaining and informative for you. We would love to hear from you through our social media outlets so keep reaching out.
Kidus Assefa Editor-in-Chief
Managing Director:
Photographers:
Thanks to:
Eyob Workineh eyob@linkupaddis.com
Abenezer Geleta Amanuel Asfaw Nathan Seyoum Mehari Haile Petros Teka
Gari Autocare Plus Shifta Mafi designs iceAddis
Editor in chief: Kidus Assefa kiduslinkup@gmail.com Marketing Director:
Contributors
Mathias Aklilu mathias@linkupaddis.com
Alula Abadi Amanu Teriessa ARMAGHEDION Eyasu A. Ashenafi Kidus Assefa Kidus Tamiru Neway Addisu Yegeta Tsegaye Telilla
Partnerships Director: Eyasu Abdella eyasu@linkupaddis.com Graphic Designer: Abenezer Samuel bensamuel189@gmail.com
Cover photo: Petros Teka
LinkUp Brief Amanu Teriessa
April 2021
Bermel Fest
AIESEC’s SkillUp
The event that is becoming more and more popular returned on the 10th of April. Featuring musicians like CALLMEDAGI, Bobo and Daydreamz, the night delivered what it promised: a chill festival that can be used as an excuse to have a late night out with friends. It was in Fana Park that the event was held – presumably to make use of the well aerated, large compound. While the music that was blazed over the massive speakers by the musicians/DJs seemed a touch excessive at first, as the night progressed, the energy of the people on the dance floor soon matched it. By the time the night ended, everyone seemed satisfyingly tired, proving how the festival was well worth the 150 birr entrance fee.
On April 3, 2021, AIESEC held a seminar program hosted at Addis Ababa University, 5 kilo campus. Titled ‘SkillUp’, the seminar was intended to be a preventative response to a number of issues faced by graduates of this country. These included problems regarding finding the right major to commit to, knowing exactly what job opportunities there are that cater to the individual’s skillsets, and up on graduating, making themselves as appealing as possible as potential employees to employer in a professional environment. Seeing that this was just the first of numerous planned seminars that are to be held all around the country in different major cities, the whole program was extremely well-planned, highly ambitious, and is expected to show very clear results soon.
5 I Linkup Addis Ababa 5 I Linkup Addis Ababa 5 I Linkup Addis Ababa
Yimechesh One of the highlights of the month was Yimechish. The night of April 4 saw a one of kind event. Although looking like just another night out with music, drinks, and food, Yimechish had a clear – but thinly veiled – agenda behind it: to raise awareness about the gender inequality littering every level of every system. When people heard that the entrance fee was to be only 50 birr for women while ten times as much for men, there was a mild uproar that was almost immediately stilled down when they learnt that the pricing literally reflected the real-life differences in privileges and access to resources. That people were so surprised at the simple act of freely including women’s sanitary materials in each toilet attested to how serious the issue of gender inequality is. The intentions being remarkable as they are, the night on its own was a beautiful one. Ethiopian Records, Lady Hash, and Manisha were only a few of the musicians that brought the event to life.
6 I Linkup Addis Ababa 6 I Linkup Addis Ababa
Kassmasse signs deal with Walia Beer Today marked an exciting development for Kassmasse and Heineken Breweries’ Walia Beer. The two entities signed a partnership agreement during a ceremony held at Shifta Foods. Walia Beer is going to be sponsoring the up-and-coming (although at this point we might as well call him renowned) young artist in all his music endeavors. The two are going to mutually promote the common values they stand for; at the ceremony Walia Beer’s External Communications Manager Fikadu Beshah affirmed that his organization’s motivation to work with Kassmasse stems from the unique blend of modern and traditional values that he brings to audiences of all ages. These values are a mix of providing joy through entertainment to the community while standing with it during its hardships; some may even say it’s the value of art in providing a silver lining during times of turmoil, such as the period Ethiopia is going through at the moment.
Thumbsup Eyasu A. Ashenafi
Glassware Name: Alternative Addis Alternative Addis is an up-cycling project with the objective of creating purposeful products out of different materials and by-products, it is important to them to produce something eco friendly and of value to you. Their first creations are upcycled glass jars. The glass jars for home use with hand crafted wooden lids use food-grade wood sealants. It took a blend of creativity, innovation and a sense of social and environmental responsibility to launch 'The Up-cycling Project'. The products are available in; Green, brown, transparent; Small, medium, large Storage ideas: Spices & herbs, teas & coffee, honey & homemade goodies, cosmetics & jewelry, stationery or anything else you can think of. Facebook: Alternativeaddis Instagram: Alternative Addis Location: Inside the Hyatt Regency hotel (store) On Google Maps: Yes Jewellery store Name: Talari Talari is a jewellery store as well as an art gallery! Talari is also a women-led arts, crafts and jewellery store their goal is to fill our space with unique art, prints and posters representing Ethiopian Culture. Currently, their inventory includes original vintage posters, printed in the '70s, batik art, photographs, and digital illustrations. They will be sourcing more inventories in the comings weeks, including canvas painting, vintage works from Ethiopian artists, and contemporary illustration and photography art. Each of their products leaves their store with teki paper bags. Teki Paper
Bags is a social and environmental enterprise developed for and by the deaf community. Teki Paper allows their beautiful handmade products to be more impactful. Facebook: talariaddis Telephone: +251 96 691 1566 Location: Around Gotera on EthioChina st., next to Awash Bank On Google maps? Yes Lounge Name: Dose Lounge In the heart of Addis Ababa, a brand new lounge has opened its doors a few months ago. Dose has earned quite a reputation and has built its image well among nighttime party goers. It is known for their perfectly crafted cocktails, amazing food and spectacular vibe Doors open all week at 8 PM. Sunday Story at Dose with a live set from Addis’ known bands, throwing an unforgettable birthday celebration is what they are known for. The bouncers are friendly and professional; making reservations is advisable using the number below. Instagram: Dose Telephone: +251 97 002 4402 Location: Kaleb Hotel, ground floor On Google Maps: Yes
FollowUp
Guzo Shoes Great Distances Alula Abadi
T
Photo by: Amanuel Asfaw
he journey of a thousand miles starts with one step, as does any journey of any kind. And although we have managed to make the world a more navigable place to travel throughout, the idea of trekking will always be sacred to us as a species, for it is first through physically traversing these lands that we stand where we stand today. It is this concept that GUZO by Mafi Designs has implemented. At first glance, you see a very well-designed shoe, the result of the perfect execution of the designer's vision. Upon going deeper into the product, you see that design and quality are merely important parts of GUZO. They are not its essence. Its essence is the expression of freedom through travel and walking. Mafi has been sketching attire designs for years, starting at a very young age. Design after design of what she knows she will materialize at some point
8 I Linkup Addis Ababa
in her future, first with clothing designs and then later with the shoe line. Fast forward today, and Mahlet Afework and her husband Michael Tibebu are partners in GUZO, her dream brainchild that finally found its way to a production line. Mahlet told us that while her vision for a brand that utilizes and appreciates Ethiopia for its resources has always been clear, the process it took to make it happen was no easy task. From conception to release GUZO took six years of hard work and grind. Hard work has paid off with an excellent reception at GUZO's soft launch held at Hyatt Regency on 24 April 2021. This soft launch was designed to feel out the market and understand the people's reaction to the product. And the response was immaculate as sales were thriving, and GUZO got a positive and encouraging reception. The new shoes, the stars of the event, are a designer’s take on the classic Vans shoes.
Retailing at ETB 1,500, there is no doubt in my mind that these shoes will soon deck out the streets of Addis. The design is light and sporty while still maintaining an air of elegance and sophistication that one would expect from a designer
"Its essence is the expression of freedom through travel and walking"
Photo by: Amanuel Asfaw
"The design is light and sporty while still maintaining an air of elegance and sophistication"
9 I Linkup Addis Ababa
like Mafi; a designer known for progressive, classy looks.
Photo by: Amanuel Asfaw
The same thing goes for the new men's and women’s line. There is everything from t-shirts and aviator-style jackets for men and light cardigans, dresses, and many other styles on offer for women. The thing is, we all want a quality product, and the product itself is presented as one that has a high level of quality, thoughtfulness, and appreciation put into it. Mahlet told us that the dream moving forward is to produce a shoe line that is not aimed mainly at foreign export but the Ethiopian consumer. Primarily establishing the GUZO brand nationally and making sure the Ethiopian people get a cut of their cake through
10 I Linkup Addis Ababa
superior Ethiopian leather and design. It is imperial to show the people that there is no need to pay ridiculous taxes and prices for a pair of imported shoes. We can easily make an equally enticing product right here in Ethiopia and offer extremely fair prices for a high-quality, all-leather product. Ethiopianmade is reliable. The term can now be associated with both affordability and high-quality products (shoes & apparel included) as this particular product has proven. Only after getting national acceptance and recognition will GUZO spread its wings and make its way to other African countries, eventually the rest of the world.
"There is no need to pay ridiculous taxes and prices for a pair of imported shoes"
CatchUp
Woodstock 1969 Musical Warfare Neway Addisu
T
wo years after the dreamy and controversial summer of love, another event that would bring large gatherings of hippies from all across America was brewing. The rising numbers, convention breaking attitude, and half-baked aura they had didn’t sit quite well with some people. Thus, gatherings of “their kind”, as some conservatives phrased it, were seen as unhealthy disturbances in the “normal” ways of life. Now, the summer of love only attracted 100,000 of these colorful hordes, while Woodstock claimed the attention of a crowd 500,000 strong. Like moths to the flame, they came – entranced by the psychedelic rock and copious acid.
Photo from:catwalkyourself.com
The Woodstock Music Festival began on August 15, 1969 in
11 I Linkup Addis Ababa
Bethel, New York after a Sullivan County farmer named Max Yasgur generously offered his 600 acre farm. Billed as “An Aquarian Experience: 3 Days of Peace and Music,” the epic event would later be known simply as Woodstock (named after the investment group that backed it, Woodstock Ventures). The brainchild of four men: John Roberts, Joel Rosenman, Artie Kornfeld and Michael Lang all age 27 or younger looking for an investment opportunity, become synonymous with the counterculture movement of the 1960s. Creedence Clearwater Revival was the first big-name talent to sign on and gave Woodstock the credibility it needed to attract other well-known musicians.
“Like moths to the flame, they came – entranced by the psychedelic rock and copious acid.”
With a venue and talent secured, the partners turned to logistics. Fencing, entrance gates and ticket booths needed to be set up and a performers’ pavilion, concession stands, bathroom facilities and medical tents built. However, by the time people started arriving a couple days ahead of the concert, the fencing, gates and ticket booths weren’t ready yet. With no efficient way to charge concert-goers, Lang and his partners decided to make Woodstock a free event.
Photo from:lonelyplanet.com
Originally, about 50,000 people were expected. But by August 13, at least those numbers were already camped out on location and over 100,000 tickets pre-sold. As an estimated one million people descended on Woodstock, its organizers scrambled to add more facilities. Highways and local roads came to a standstill and many concertgoers simply abandoned their cars and trekked the rest of the way on foot. Eventually, about half a million people reached the venue.
12 I Linkup Addis Ababa
The sixties gave the young people of America front row seats to such things as the Vietnam War, the civil rights movement, and the Cuban missile crisis. It was a period of great turbulence and protest, as assassinations of figures like Malcolm X, John F Kennedy, and Martin Luther King rocked the nation furthermore. Woodstock was an opportunity for people to escape into music and spread a message of unity and peace. Although the crowd at Woodstock experienced bad weather, muddy conditions and a lack of food, water and adequate sanitation, the overall vibe there was harmonious. Looking back, some people attribute the lack of violence to the large number of psychedelic drugs being used. Others believe hippies were simply living out their mantra of “making love, not war.” Thirty-two musicians, a combination of local and worldfamous talent, performed at Woodstock. Those who took the stage at Woodstock included Crosby Stills Nash and Young,
Santana, Arlo Guthrie, Joe Cocker, The Who, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Blood Sweat and Tears, Jimmie Hendrix and much more. Friday, August 15 around 5:00 P.M., Richie Havens took the stage and played a 45-minute set to start it all off. Hendrix was the last musician to perform at Woodstock, weather delays prevented him from taking the stage until early Monday morning and by the time he went on, the crowd had thinned to around 25,000 people.
“Woodstock was an opportunity for people to escape into music and spread a message of unity and peace.”
Woodstock was a success, but the massive concert didn’t come off without a hitch: Last-minute venue changes, bad weather and the hordes of attendees caused major headaches. Two people died at the event: one from a fatal overdose and another crushed by a tractor. The guy was in a sleeping bag and the driver hadn’t seen him, so it was a complete accident. Considering the number of people, lack of proper sanitation, medical assistance, and only a dozen police officers as supervisors, the team pulled off a miracle. Despite—or because of—a lot of sex, drugs, rock ‘n’ roll and rain, Woodstock was a peaceful celebration and earned its hallowed place in pop culture history. Several attempts have been made to recreate it, but none have come close to its magnitude and mystical grandeur.
Photo from: woodstockwhisperer.info
In many respects, Woodstock was the beginning of seeing youth and counterculture values as this incredible market. Indeed, the concert and the movie that
13 I Linkup Addis Ababa
came out in 1970 solidified the increasing awareness of young people as the bellwether for cultural change, as well as a market to be tapped. Hippies were not seen as radicals. They were peace makers. The way of life changed; policies were changed and music became a means of expression, the only weapon the hippies had. The lasting effects of the Woodstock Festival are numerous and relevant to the present day. You don't need to have been there, seen a video, or heard a single guitar riff to have an understanding of what it was and what it stood for, no matter how abstract or nostalgic that understanding may be. For 3 days, in an obscure farm land in the state of New York, some small portion of humanity was totally free. Free to express their anger and frustration about war, racism, and senseless consumerism. Who can honestly say to what extent it influenced the world – only that it did.
Woodstock is perhaps best described by Max Yasgur, the humble farmer who lent his land for the occasion. Addressing the audience on day three he said, “…You’ve proven something to the world. The important thing that you’ve proven to the world is that a half a million kids, and I call you kids because I have children who are older than you are, a half a million young people can get together and have three days of fun and music and have nothing but fun and music and God bless you for it!”
“Woodstock was a peaceful celebration and earned its hallowed place in pop culture history.”
14 I Linkup Addis Ababa
EatUp
Gari Autocare Plus One-stop Maintenance Kidus Assefa
O
Photo by: Abenezer Geleta
f all the places featured in LinkUp’s EatUp section, this one has to be admittedly the strangest pick considering that the business model followed is drastically different than the usual. Primarily an auto shop where many services such as car washes, windshield repair, head lamp repair, and so on are available. As the name indicates ‘Gari’, which translates to carts (of any kind I think), is in the auto business but has somehow managed to dedicate a lot of attention into an adjoined full-fledged operational restaurant on the side.
15 I Linkup Addis Ababa
Reverse engineered layout, simplistic design elements make the interior so appealing and easy on the eye. There is a lot of wood used here, the minimal box frame like seats, the dining tables, and patterned ceiling designs. Almost ceiling-high windows on one side lend a clear view of the car wash. It is clear to see the sum effect of all these factors adding up to give the place a spacious wider feel to it; the lighting is mostly natural and bright. I would love to see this place at night as well imagining the pot plant greenery and how all the warm high-hanging light bulbs would illuminate the space.
“It does open up the appetite with its flavorful goodness while also soothing the stomach for the main event.”
Photo:by: Abenezer Geleta Photo Abenezer Geleta
“It was fantastic, hard to stop snacking on.”
16 I Linkup Addis Ababa
Time to eat now, few minutes after we placed our order came the vegetable soup. And I must say the soup had a lot going for it, it looked satiating and appetizing to me because it has the savory soup look, I prefer. Murky, glossy with bits of vegetables such as zucchini, carrots and broccoli, it does open up the appetite with its flavorful goodness while also soothing the stomach for the main event. Nile perch is an easy fish to leave average or bland, it is a canvas where people can easily show some creativity. It takes an exception to grab my attention when it comes to the flavors added to this delicate and very mild tasting fresh water fish. Now I’m interested, well-seasoned, citrusy and bright flavors melded well first keep your attention. The citrus juice and salt grains were well held by the crunchy coating, the gateway to the soft flakes that all need a little chew. Served with steamed vegetables like cauliflower, thin zucchini slices, carrot sticks, cauliflower and broccoli that have somehow soaked up the flavor of the fish, this dish was delicious to say the least, always something to keep your taste buds busy.
Photo by: Abenezer Geleta
Yet another common dish with
17 I Linkup Addis Ababa
an in-house special twist to it, the roasted chicken breast at first glance looks like just another chicken cutlet with fries. The first cut reveals well done white chicken breast flesh, a good sign so far, so I proceed to take a bite. Such a distinct flavor I then found it to have, a thin crisp skin that was flavor-packed with a creamy mushroom sauce on top as well as & fried garlic (the mellowed-out sweetness having a hand in the final taste). The side was very soft wedgecut fries with skin-on potatoes deep fried with a thyme flavored coating. It was fantastic, hard to stop snacking on. It gives me a sense of relief to see the trend of using potatoes with the skin catching on all over town. A stand-out menu item recommended by the house, the name ‘Gari kestedamena’ translates to Gari rainbow literally, an obvious tell-tale indicator of a colorful vibrant dish. Something
“The convenience and value created by such businesses has an immeasurable importance in the long run”
beautiful for the eyes to feast on; besides, the ingredients are a long list of healthy veggies (mind you this is a vegan dish from the fasting menu). And so it was served, glossy penne pasta with lightly sautéed vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, olives, sweet corn, broccoli, roughly chopped avocados on the side and God knows what else (other than the tuna and complementary ‘Ambasha’ bread slices of course). I loved how light and well portioned this dish is, not to mention, all the contrasting bright sharp colors on one black clay plate to let them shine.
Photo by: Abenezer Geleta
Lemonade being my go-to cold drink following Ice tea, I went ahead and ordered theirs upon recommendation. Lemon juice, water and some sugar alone can qualify as lemonade technically, but they put in quite some effort into this one. This one had so many types of flavoring mint leaves, a couple of thyme sprigs, strawberry slices, lime slices and the best surprise lemongrass. It was so impeccably presented and refreshing from the first sip. Herbal light flavors unmasked by
18 I Linkup Addis Ababa
any overwhelming sweetness as is often the case with this simple classic drink. A little heavy on the mint with hints of lemongrass coming through the diluted lime squeeze, it was an overall treat I would accept any day of the week. Imagine a squeaky-clean car, or even better, a now repaired car awaiting you in the same compound after such a meal. The convenience and value created by such businesses has an immeasurable importance in the long run. I admire and respect what Gari Autocare Plus is doing in setting a higher standard and making customers’ lives easier.
19 I Linkup Addis Ababa
CloseUp
Markos Lemma Innovator, Entrepreneur, Tech enthusiast Yegeta Tsegaye Telila
Photo by: Petros Teka
What is iceaddis at the core? What’s the purpose? Our mission is to build a technology-based entrepreneurship ecosystem, and through that, we have several engagements. Through our flagship ‘Ice180’ incubation program, startups need to go through 180 days of support. So far, we have been able to work with 43 companies. We have launched several business competitions like the Green Innovation Slam, which focused on rural-based businesses, mostly based out of Addis. We also have the jumpstart accelerator program, which is a job creation support platform that we launched in partnership with GIZ. So using these kinds of programs, we have been able to support 20 I Linkup Addis Ababa
and launch several successful Ethiopian startups by either engaging in their initial launch or accelerating their growth. On top of that, iceaddis has also been engaging with various international partners to increase the exposure of homegrown businesses. So far, we have sent over 16 startups to pitch their ideas on the international stage, like international accelerators in the United States, or business competitions in African countries, and so on. We try to create exposure as much as possible to Ethiopian startups to gain direct support to their business strategies and learn from other business environments. The other thing is that we form different network partnerships. Afrilabs, for example, is a pan-African network of hubs that we are part of (it has more
than 260 members if I remember correctly), and we engage with many other hubs across Africa to promote local companies. We also work with the private sector. Our partnership with IOHK and Cardano Foundation will be quite important within the next few years as we
"When I look ahead ten years from now, our tech ecosystem will have a capacity to develop technology instead of just consuming it"
Photo by: Petros Teka
launch community events in 25 African countries on the Cardano technology ecosystem. These kinds of activities are important for our operations
more players with a vast array of options exist, which is the kind of framework we need for meaningful collaborations to support innovation in the country.
What other efforts have there been during the past few years in the Innovation sphere?
What about the coming ten years? What is iceaddis going to be doing?
Like I said, to really support As I told you earlier, to support innovation in our market, we need to foster collaboration between all stakeholders. That, to me, is critical given the current dynamics of the ecosystem in the country which is currently small. These stakeholders can be everyone from investors, government agencies, and business development services providers, etc. These collaborations are the cornerstone for growth and are great for the country. For example, after us, xHubAddis launched, iCog_Labs have been fantastic in the market for a long time, blueMoon also with their support of agri-tech businesses and so many others. The university-based incubators also play a significant role in driving these efforts from university to the industry. And now, with accelerator programs like Growth Africa’s more and
You know, startups are at the You know, startups are at the center of everything that we do. In this regard, our mission (and our existence, really) is to support technology-based entrepreneurship and ecosystems in Ethiopia; a fully-fledged, working ecosystem, right. This has been our basis over the last ten years, and we have seen tremendous progress. There are good comparison points, even looking at the change in mindset from the accepted dominance of state-owned businesses to the belief in small and medium scale enterprises and startups. While this may not mean much to people now, the fact that we have witnessed that change and continue to be part of that story is something. The same thing goes for technological advancement. The whole idea behind technology in this country has been to copy
21 I Linkup Addis Ababa
technology. However, now that mentality has shifted to becoming the creators of technology. Based on this progress, when I look ahead ten years from now, the one thing that we need to focus on is to build technology capacity instead of simply consuming it. Looking at the progress of the past ten years, it has been tremendous. The next ten years will be even more dynamic. The geographic location of the country, the budding talent that young people possess, and the drive from both the public and private sectors are all opportunities. I think Ethiopia is perfect for being the next frontier. I also believe that we [iceaddis] will be right in the middle of that transition, and that is the key aspect of our vision for the next ten years. How do we do that? [We do that] Focusing on Startups. We are moving more into small and growing business strategies, and business acceleration (for established companies too, not just for new ones) and creating a standard of business development delivery and investment. The importance of the last point is that I do not believe that there is a lack of capital; it is just a solid investment structure that is missing. The diaspora community will be crucial for this as that community is very
well-informed and experienced. It has been an engine in creating this sort of cultural fusion in many sectors such as creative industries and urban living in Ethiopia. This community can contribute a lot to our effort in tech; there are a lot of geniuses in the field who have come together to create the Ethiopians in Tech network, and hopefully, this continues. Fostering deeper collaboration, smart investment, and creating real value to society by growing the technology entrepreneurship sector are the visions for the next ten years.
some of these project ideas also have the potential to be businesses. So, we tried to see if we can facilitate the realization of these projects into actual businesses. A simple question right? That was the first motivation we had. After that, we learned from other ecosystems, especially Kenya. One year before starting iceaddis, we had started looking at the systems in Nairobi, and we came across iHub Kenya. The relevance of iHub is that despite Kenyan firms being the pioneers
What made you want to start iceaddis? The reason we started iceaddis was due to our work experiences in Ethiopian universities. Back then, when we look at the student projects, a lot of these are abandoned after the final defense for graduation, but
Photo by: Petros Teka
“We wanted to create a space that would trigger technology and entrepreneurship development”
22 I Linkup Addis Ababa
of the pan-African movement for tech startups, they did not have working spaces, and iHub was able to facilitate this. T in Ethiopia was a bit different since a tech community did not even exist at the time. We wanted to create a space that would also serve as a trigger for the growth of tech communities like bloggers, android software developers, or whoever fits the tech community. That was the basis of the motivation; so that we can create more viable and innovative businesses in Ethiopia
someone else’s problem. In which case, I would say scarcity has a stronger role in driving innovation than abundance. But, we have also seen that even though the driver of innovation is a problem within the community, the extent of the problem is what gives you a scalable framework for growth. So, you need a certain level of abundance after the original innovation. This is why Ethiopia is in a perfect position to be more innovative than other more developed markets.
Are you an Edison or a Tesla? Why?
After the abundance stage that you just mentioned can creation and innovation be too saturated?
It is a difficult question. I think I am more in-between. I say this because if you always focus on the invention of products without commercialization, you lose the merit of building relationships. I think that the key to a transcendent product is in its being a good product that, at the same time, building strong relationships. So, in that case, I envy people like Elon Musk, Steve Jobs, and more. Scarcity or abundance... which drives innovation?
Photo by: Petros Teka
I think real innovation lies in solving
23 I Linkup Addis Ababa
I do not believe that innovation can ever be saturated, by definition, businesses can mature, though. One of the things I like about Facebook (Though I don’t like a lot of things about it) is that they say “if we don’t create a product that will kill Facebook, someone else will ” and they work on that. I think companies should always look forward to what’s next and how to remain relevant in the future and not only in the present. They need to continually reshape and redesign their processes
and approaches. Of course, markets can be saturated, which is why innovation can be an engine to come up with new ideas. I think it’s also natural that people move from one product to another; there is no obligation to stay on cassettes or flash drives or CDs or any technology, right? The true meaning of that is “How do we build better?”, “How do we channel better quality music to customers in a convenient way?” for instance that may be the question Spotify asked. That’s the basic concept, right? We can reframe the problem, the channels, as much as possible.
“I think companies should always look forward to what's next and how to remain relevant in the future and not only in the present.”
What are the traits of a true problem solver? The true trait of a problem solver is understanding the problem in the first place and having empathy by putting oneself in someone else’s shoes. Looking at people who created great products, they never really started from their assumptions or their imagination. They start from someone else’s problem. In a way, it’s a simple concept, but most people miss that. How do you view value addition to products and services in Ethiopia? Yeah, value addition needs to be looked at from the perspective of the consumer. In that regard, we need a lot more research into consumer behavior in Ethiopia, especially for tech companies. What we think might be valueadded might not be interpreted as such by consumers. The first thing we need to do for this is
to always receive feedback from clients. One of the main challenges I’ve seen, for instance, is that if the client is not active anymore, we need to investigate better as to the cause of that. If people come to us, it’s not because they like us; it’s because we solve their problems, so we need to look at a product-market fit approach. I think we can always add value when we understand our customers and when we understand our market. But then, there are also things like internal capacity, teams, and organizational cultures choosing to add value instead of chasing profits; these are the kinds of issues we need to tackle. In some sectors, this is a challenge. For example, in the import sector, the question of how to add value needs a lot of thinking, but if you are in manufacturing you have better tools to add value.
Photo by: Petros Abenezer Teka Geleta
“Value addition should reflect the perspective of the consumer.”
24 I Linkup Addis Ababa
What'sUp
Shifta Bandit’s Paradise Kidus Assefa
A
Photo by: Abenezer Geleta
n attempt to explain the background story is necessary here, after all, only a few places have achieved what ‘Shifta’ (Amharic for Bandit) has with what was on hand. From its very naming, either very defiantly hip or threateningly provocative depending on whom you ask, to the reputation it has built. It is all centered in thoughtful hospitality and bold expressions that are the backbone of the aesthetics which resonate in the atmosphere. This all then is what formed the identity of Shifta, the laid back cozy spot somewhere deep in the heart of bole at least renowned
25 I Linkup Addis Ababa
for how distinct it is among other things. Having only went there a handful of times, I somewhat feel like I have missed out on so much of the history and memories created in that cozy exotic shack like restaurant. Shifta had it all in my eyes. A laid back welcoming atmosphere, tasteful music selection, good food (mostly Caribbean inspired), a diverse crowd and what not; needless to say, I haven’t heard anything but praise to this date.
News of Shifta moving must have been a bitter-sweet ordeal for a lot. Sure the new branch is more spacious and better
“Shifta had it all in my eyes… I haven’t heard anything but praise to this date.”
Photo by: Abenezer Geleta
“The Brown Chicken stew, that was to die for, demonstrated impressive cooking techniques and knowledge of flavor building.”
26 I Linkup Addis Ababa
optimized, but the sentiment of the first location could be hard to let go of is my point. But here we are now, a few years down the road. Shifta has moved to a two story flatlike space quintessential of the block. Still conveniently located, now on the block behind Bole Medhanealem church that leads to the ring road via Hayat hospital, along with some of the most buzzing eateries in Addis, the once tiny joint now sits on more square meters. More square meters meaning more of what humble beginnings once brought many, it is quite a feeling to witness well earned progress and growth. Shifta has come back with more fire on this one, I later found out. If you thought the previous branch had plenty of options for food (house specials Ox tail & Jerk Chicken), drink and artistic visual food for the soul, you should come take a look at this. The menu has expanded, there are even more authentic and eye catching artworks and artifacts with way more space and privacy for those who could use that. Dare I say it is the essence
augmented? Life size murals, clay & wood artifacts, wax print fabrics used so creatively indicate at first impression how the place has Afro-chic and Pan-Africanism painted all over its flag. It is now truly an inclusive hub for all kinds of alternative crowds, drawn by the array of events as diverse as open mic nights (by ‘Gitm sitm’), underground black movie screening nights, DJ parties as well as live music performances by artists from Lesotho, Turkey and so on. Outdoor and rooftop/ balcony seats are available along with one of the most interesting elements of the new Shifta – new dishes and drinks. The first thing that comes across your mind when this dish is served has to be the grand portion. Never have I seen so much Nile perch on one plate. It also had the taste to match the look, the fish’s crisp outside without too much grease and flaky interior with the bones in is just what I’m looking for in fried Nile perch. To add to that, the entire top of the fillet was a light mild flavored tomato sauce. Nice combination brought to life by a drizzle of lime juice. The sides were fried bananas and Ugali – an
Photo by: Abenezer Geleta
“It is now truly an inclusive hub for all kinds of alternative crowds.”
27 I Linkup Addis Ababa
almost bland mealy, filling corn porridge which goes very well with the black bean salad. The house recommendation then followed, and what a treat it was. The Brown Chicken stew, that was to die for, demonstrated impressive cooking techniques and knowledge of flavor building. Silky, glossy broth with such richness, the savory, complex deep brown flavors can be attributed to all the herbs and spices blended to give this dish its character. A recipe worth guarding indeed; the stew had well-cooked, juicy tender chicken-on-the bone with crispy skin, melt in your mouth carrot chunks that don’t keep your teeth but your palate busy. The Pineapple salad is also worth a try for those looking for more simple and light delicious meals or snacks, vegans and vegetarians shouldn’t have a hard time ordering here either. Ultimately my best advice would have to be exploring the menu to see what best suits you at the moment… just be sure to stop by and see what’s up.
What'sUp+
Yenegew Bazaar Amanu Teriessa
A
Photo by: Abenezer Geleta
considerable amount of time has passed since plans to hold a bazaar were laid out by Hyatt Regency and its partners. Preparations are almost complete, and everyone involved is happy to announce that on May 16, 2021, the first of a series of eight weekly bazaars will take place at the beautiful Metro of Hyatt Regency. To provide the proper kind of platform for artisans, Yenegew Bazaar will emphasize how customers are helping small businesses, which will be the backbone of tomorrow’s economy.
It is because of a hugely collaborative process that these bazaars are coming to life. The main institutions involved are Hyatt Regency, SNV Ethiopia (under a program they call LIWAY), ASHENGO Events and 28 I Linkup Addis Ababa
Design and Addis Ababa’s Mayor’s Office. These organizations, before coming together to make the plans a reality, had independently come up with parts of the idea. Heddo Siebs, the general manager of Hyatt Regency, had been thinking about creating a monthly bazaar where there would be a greater focus on quality than anything else. Meanwhile, Fasika Gebrewold from ASHENGO Events and Design, Addismiraph Abebe and their team were forming plans on how to reestablish the image of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) among the masses by bringing to the public the best that SMEs have to offer — a uniquely challenging feat to accomplish. Some time later, when they contacted Heddo to see if Hyatt
Regency would be interested in being part of their plans, he accepted excitedly. It convinced him, he explains, because it was a noble cause
“By buying from small businesses today, customers are helping those who are going to be the backbone of tomorrow’s economy.”
to rally behind, as is expected due to Hyatt Regency being well known for its strong ties with local artisans.
Photo by: Abenezer Geleta
Apart from offering a platform on which the SMEs can showcase their products and services to customers, the main goal of these bazaars is to connect specific service and product providers to the right kind of customers who, for instance, have the financial means to afford the kind of quality said vendors could deliver. On top of that, it is also the organizers’ intention to elevate the level of experience that the SMEs that participate have. This is going to be done through training sessions they plan to give, through sharing experiences and from already widely successful brands that are going to take part in the bazaar. Incentives and monetary encouragement are also part of the targets. By holding a competition between the vendors (there will be two kinds of awards: Customers Award, where customers will vote for the best experience they had when leaving each event, and Experts Award, where experts
29 I Linkup Addis Ababa
will judge the level of the quality of the products), the organizers hope that participants will not only bring their best to the table but also be given the proper kind of recognition for their hard work and talent.
Their most important goal, though, says Heddo, is to make the bazaars long-term, self-sufficient institutions. He stresses that no one wants them to be a one-time thing. Rather, they plan to find means to help the bazaars raise enough money to keep them funded for the long term. By establishing a sense of routine for customers (after having shopped at the bazaars, they may want to enjoy some of Hyatt's services), he says that they will likely want to return to these events. He also stresses that the most important asset to realize their dreams of making the bazaars sustainable is the partnerships that have developed. It is through these partnerships that good and
durable changes can result. Great ambitions are not without their challenges. The biggest challenge they have had to overcome was the interruption caused by COVID-19. The plans to have these bazaars were first conceived over a year ago, but they had to be postponed when the pandemic hit. The number of vendors and customers allowed is significantly
“Their most important goal is to make the bazaars longterm, selfsufficient institutions.”
Photo by: Abenezer Geleta
lower than initially planned. By having fewer vendors at a single bazaar while increasing the number of episodes in the series, the event has been able to adhere to the COVID-19 regulations. Hyatt takes this very seriously, Heddo assures us. While that’s true, it is also their plan to let people have good times and enjoyable days while supporting the community, which is especially needed during such tough times. Regardless, physical distancing (as opposed to social distancing) will still be implemented on hotel grounds every time.
30 I Linkup Addis Ababa
"Because of these restrictions," explains Addismiraph, "there will be 15 SME vendors and five successful Hyatt partners per bazaar." The 15 vendors will be selected not only based on the merits of their products but also on their visions and ambitions. “We’re not looking for someone who is looking to make a quick buck,” says Addismiraph. “We want those involved to be passionate about what they are involved in.” The application form can be found on yenegewbazaar.com
“We’re not looking for someone who is looking to make a quick buck. We want those involved to be passionate about what they’re involved in.”
Reel Up
Kidus Tamiru
S
et during the course of 48hrs, a happy family is completely disrupted when the daughter gets raped by a family friend and her father mysteriously refuses to let her get help. With its sleek production and unusual premise, Kerbe looked like a very promising film. I was eager to see this seemingly ambitious movie since the first trailer. But I was very disappointed even before I was halfway through. But let me start with the things they did right first. The cinematography, directing, production and acting are all good in this film. On a technical level, it’s mostly competent and you can tell everyone took their jobs seriously to make a good movie. I also love the fact that they tried to do a movie set mostly in one location. It would’ve been a big plus had it not been for the big problems that overshadow it later. Now onto the problems… The sound is pretty bad; inaudible, echoing dialogue at times and bad sound mixing all over. And the music is almost comically exaggerated at most points; it overstates minor scenes with epic tension. The importance of sound is often 31 I Linkup Addis Ababa
overlooked by most Ethiopian filmmakers in favor of visuals, which is a big mistake. This film also uses a few unnecessarily CGI locations, such as a large prison and a cemetery. Even if they had to include those scenes, which they didn’t, they should’ve filmed them on location. If they had omitted those scenes completely, the film would’ve been much better because it’s would have been set entirely in the house. But the worst problem with the film by far is the writing, the plot in particular. A suspense film set in a limited location like this one depends entirely on the strength of the plot. And this one has one of the worst I’ve ever seen. The story has nowhere to go after the first act and the audience knows it. It just drags on and on for about an hour with no reason to. This is like a short film that refuses to end. This reminded me how important the plot is to a movie because even if it gets everything else right, a bad plot will always override it. And the writer is convinced he has created an insolvable dilemma for the protagonist, (so much so that, in a comical scene, the character breaks
the fourth wall and ask us what we would’ve done in his place). But it’s not an insolvable dilemma; he’s just a dumb, unlikeable protagonist. The implausibility of the motives and exaggerated music made this film completely unrealistic and the audience was laughing at many scenes that were supposed to be emotional.
5.0/10 Directed By: Alebachew Arage Starring: Henok Wendmu, Meaza Geberhiwot, Keder Husen Runtime: 100m
G
izat tells the story of a man who moves back to his childhood village to find that a violent gangster rules over the small town and its residents. As far as stories go, Gizat is pretty much the straight forward “hero must rise up and defeat the villain and win over girl” type of story. There’s not much subversion to that formula. The characters are all so one dimensional, almost cartoonishly so, that you’ll know which is supposed to play which role instantly. The villain is the most colorful of all the characters. He’s an unreasonably evil character that dresses like a cross between a Bedouin and a gypsy, with no motives for why he does what he does.Disney cartoon villains get more backstory than this guy. The “hero” is a clumsy, bumbling coward for almost the whole movie but then turns to Rambo in literally one scene and single handedly murders everybody. And another problem is that the hero and villain don’t meet until the third act. Technically it is pretty amateurish. The editing, directing, cinematography, sound (Same old terrible overdubbing) and everything
32 I Linkup Addis Ababa
else are all pretty shitty. For a film that relies on it for many scenes, it has some horrendous VFX. (You’d expect better from VFX artist credited as “Berry 3D”). There are also way too many scenes with the wobbly background that comes from artificial stabilizing during editing, which makes it obvious that the cameraman hasn’t heard of the invention of tripods. That alone should tell you enough about the level of competence this film required. This is like a first year film school project that escaped.
nor in the city. We see dense forests, sparse farmland, dusty dessert, houses with TVs and then nomadic tents. It seems like it could be anywhere in Ethiopia. The isolated setting goes well with the unrealistic plot and caricature characters. At times, the movie feels like it’s trying to be a symbol or metaphor for something bigger but there’s not enough information to piece together a coherent message underneath.
The cast are alright, considering what they’re working with. But the lead actor, who happens to be the writer/ director, was miscast (I should say he miscast himself). No, he wasn’t even miscast. He shouldn’t be acting at all. The role would’ve been better served with somebody more charismatic or funny. But one of the few things I enjoyed about this film is the mysterious and unidentifiable setting. The village is neither rural
6.0/10 Directed By: Addis Melaku Starring: Engidasew Habte, Mekonnen Laeke, Hana Merhatsedek Runtime: 90m
LinkUp Bucket List
Marvels of the Southern Cape Alula Abadi
When people think of pristine destinations to visit during their visit to Africa, they usually end up choosing an area predominantly packed with wildlife and scenery. And that is a reasonable choice since Africa is known specifically for this reason among travelers. But we all have days when we need some social interaction and urban delicacies. And what better city than the hub of African entertainment and tech, South Africa. So, in the spirit of diversifying your trip, here are the top five urban hotspots to visit in South Africa.
Durban Containing the largest and busiest harbor, Durban is not only a marvel of African trade and commerce but is also a beautiful leisure hub overlooking the Drakensberg Mountains. It is a popular destination among honeymooners and people on holiday for its perfect balance between natural beauty and the marvels of civilization, all the while being a great place to shop for local delicacies and souvenirs.
Bo-Kaap After about a 10-minute walk from Cape Town is the village of Bo-Kaap. And that is all the description one will need as there is no way you could possibly miss this colorful line up of houses. The beautiful cobbled streets and the lightly built colorful one story and two-story houses are sure to keep you captivated as feats of architecture. And leisure aside, BoKaap is also the perfect location for would be photographers.
33 33 II Linkup LinkupAddis AddisAbaba Ababa
Mossel Bay Mossel Bay is a hub that rests between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, it is known to have a few astonishing spots like beaches, restaurants and entertainment centers where you can enjoy the entirety of your leisure day. Due to its proximity to the roaring sea, Mossel Bay is your perfect place to enjoy shark cage diving, snorkeling and water adventures. The Bay exhibits its beauty in the calm sea shores, the vibrant market and streets where you can find some tempting food points. Overlooking the Indian Ocean, it is a perfect seepage for any who might be interested in what it has to offer.
Soweto Towers Vertical Adventure Center Join the adventurers and thrill seekers of Africa in Johannesburg, at the Soweto Towers Vertical Adventure Center, where 300-foot bungee jumps from a bridge are just another Tuesday. The bridge in question is the one connecting the township’s two iconic cooling stacks and offers thrill seekers with a substantial height to bungee off of, all the while enjoying an amazing view. And while South Africa’s mountain ranges and oceans are ripe for adventure, thrill seekers will find plenty of urban highs as well. Just as long as they visit The Soweto Towers.
Sun City A privately owned resort nestled close to famous cities like Pilanesberg and Johannesburg, Sun City Resort is a marvel of both Architecture and leisure in ways that boggle the mind. Being a one stop shop for all the desires of the average traveler make the resort stand out from the rest. Attractions like casinos, theatres, cafes and luxury restaurants make Sun City the ideal location. Whether it’s a luxury holiday, a family weekend or a romantic honeymoon, Sun city is the most preferred attraction in South Africa among travelers from every corner of the globe.
34 I I Linkup LinkupAddis AddisAbaba Ababa 34
ListenUp
ORIGINS: TECHNO A Tale of Two Cities ARMAGHEDION
W
hat is Techno? And where did it come from? Prior to the late 2000’s, Techno was used as a blanket term to describe all electronic music, much in the same way the term EDM is used now, but this doesn’t accurately describe the significance of the genre, or its deeply human roots.
Making the distinction between House and Techno isn’t always necessarily clear cut, and more often than not it's done by feel- rather than by a clear set of musical guidelines. Generally speaking however, it is characterized by faster BPM, less vocals and acoustic instruments, a greater reliance on synthesizers and drum machines, and overall darker, colder and moodier tones. The sound we call Techno was born in Detroit, Michigan in the mid to late 1980’s by a trio of friends, Juan Atkins, Kevin Saunderson and Derrick May, also known as the Belleville Three- for the highschool which they all attended. Techno takes its influences from Chicago house, funk and electro and European synthesizer based music such as Italodisco. The music was stripped back in 35 I Linkup Addis Ababa
nature and focused on dark grooves and powerful basslines. Additionally, the sound was colored by the Afro Futurist and Post Capitalist themes and ideals that were taking hold of the once futuristic metropolis and industrial city of Detroit. The city had turned into a gritty post industrial ghost town, once known for its great automobile industry, and the music reflected that aesthetic. The Belleville Three would stay up late at night as radio DJs would then play the nascent sounds of protohouse from Chicago and synth laden mega hits of European capitalsKraftwerk and Giorgio Moroder, and took this as inspiration to start making their own music. In a similar manner to House music’s origins in Chicago, the sound was heavily influenced by the technology available at the time. The Roland TR-808 and TR-909 drum machines, widely considered to be commercial flops by major recording studios, became available for cheap and were adopted as the cornerstone for the sound. The classic House rhythms typified by 120ish beats per minute eschewed for a harder 130ish that soon embodied the genre.
These distinctly black origins for Techno are often unknown to most fans of the genre as the music saw a boom in popularity in Europe that it did not enjoy on its home shores. As free parties, known as raves, grew in popularity all over Europe- this specific Detroit aesthetic accompanied it- and locales such as the UK, Belgium and Germany embraced the sound wholeheartedly. Derrick May’s (released under the aliasRhythim is Rhythim) ‘Strings of Life’ became a major hit in the UK in 1988. While the rave scene and acid house had the UK in feverish grip, the epicenter of Techno in Europe moved to Berlin. Dimitri Hegemann, promoter and music entrepreneur, played a key role in bridging the gap between Berlin and Detroit. The founder of the iconic Tresor nightclub would regularly book Underground Resistance (Made up of the legendary Juan Atkins and Robert Hood), and from these moments forward- specifically after the fall of the Berlin wall in 1989, many Detroit artists moved towards the new home for Techno. And from there, the rest is history.
Horoscope
LinkUp Horoscope Tewodros Tadesse
Aires Right from the beginning of the month, your level of communication increases especially with siblings and neighbors. You could embark on local travels as well. On the 11th, your financial life will have a new chapter. The lunar eclipse on the 26th, will bring speculation surrounding religion, higher education and foreign travels. Taurus This month will highlight your financial and work sector from 3rd of the month but that would peak throughout the month until mid June. New beginning for you is very probable from the 11th of May. On the 26th, the lunar eclipse will enlighten issues surrounding intimacy and shared resources.
Leo Your social life will take the center stage from the 3rd of May until June 20th. The new moon on the 11th, will bring new heights in your career sector and social standings. The lunar eclipse on the 26th, will disclose issues regarding romance, creativity and children. Virgo This month brings speculation related to your career life until mid June. On the 11th of May, expect new beginning to your higher studies, beliefs and travels. The lunar eclipse on 26th, will bring your family and home life to the front.
Libra From the beginning of the month until June 20th, your Gemini higher education, beliefs and This is the month of truly being foreign travel life will be major who you are. Your chatty and themes of your life. The new quick throughout the entire month moon on the 11th will bring until 20th of June. On the 11th of new perspectives on sharing the month, you could embark on resources and intimacy. On self reflection and spiritual journey. the 26th, the lunar eclipse will On the 26th, the lunar eclipse give you the opportunity to talk will focus on your marriage, things out. relationships and legal matters. Scorpio Cancer This month you going deeper From the beginning of the month, to the issues that matters. Your you’re quite taking some time off. psychological and sexual. As your seeking your spiritual life. On the new moon on the The new lunar phase on the 11th 11th, expect new beginning marks new beginning on your surrounding legal cases, social circle and friendship zone. relationships and marriage. On On the end of the month, the lunar the 26th, the lunar eclipse will eclipse enlightens issues regarding bring speculation surrounding health, work and daily routines. your work and finances.
36 I Linkup Addis Ababa
Sagittarius The entire month is all about relationship and partnership for you. On the 11th, new beginnings are probable regarding your health, work and daily routines. On the 26th, expect speculation surrounding your personality. You’re on the spotlight. Capricorn This month is about taking the healthier lifestyle and embracing diligent attitude. On the 11th, expect new beginning regarding children, romance and creativity. On the end of the month, the lunar eclipse will bring issues regarding your spirituality, secrets and hidden self. Sleep well and meditate. Aquarius Your filatrious and romantic in the month of May. Your creativity peaks as well. From the 11th, your family and home life will embrace new beginnings. On the 26th of May, the lunar eclipse will shine on your friendship and social circle. Pisces Form the 3rd of May, you’re engaging your communicative energy with your family especially mother figures. On the 11th, the new moon will bring new insights in your learning and communication sectors. Especially with siblings and neighbors. Local travels are on the table. On the 26th, the lunar eclipse will bring speculation surrounding your career and social standings
City Guide
Hotels in Addis Hyatt Regency Addis Ababa Location: Meskel Square Contact No: +251 11 517 1234 Website: www.hyatt.com Star:
Sheraton Addis: Luxury Collection Location: Taytu Street Contact No: +251 11 517 1717 Website: https://www. marriott.com/hotels/travel/ addlc-sheraton-addis-aluxury-collection-hotel-addisababa/ Star:
Hilton Hotel: Addis Ababa
Best Western Hotel
Location: Minilik II Street Contact No: +251 11 517 0000 Website: addisababa.hilton.com Star:
Location: Namibia Street (Next to Edna Mall) Contact No: +251 11 667 1414 Website: www. bwplusaddisababa.com Star:
Intercontinental Hotel Location: Kazanchis Contact No: +251 11 518 0444 Website: http://intercontinentaladdis. com/
Location: Africa Street Contact No: +251 11 639 3131 Website: https://www. ramadaaddis.com/
Star:
Star:
Golden Tulip
Capital Hotel and Spa
Location: Bole Road Contact No: +251 116 18 33 33 Website: https://addisababa.goldentulip.com/ Star:
Location: Haile G/silassie Avenue Contact No: +251 116 19 2000 Website: https://capitalhotelandspa. com/ Star:
Azzeman Hotel
Sapphire Addis
Location: Namibia Street Contact No: +251 11 639 31 31 Website: https://azzemanhotel.com/ Star:
37 I Linkup Addis Ababa
Ramada Hotel
Location: Namibia Street Contact No: +251 639 3907 Website: https://www. sapphireaddishotel.com/ Star:
Cafe & Pastries Tomocca
Cascara Coffee & Cocktails
Location: Namibia Street (Next to Bole Medhanialem), Piassa Across Eliana Hotel
Location: Meskel Square (Inside Hyatt Regency)
Contact No: +251 93 007 8086
Contact No: +251 11 517 1234
Closes at: 8:00PM
Closes at: 12:00AM
Customer Rating: 4.8/5
Customer Rating: 5.0/5
Garden of Coffee
Bilos Cafe & Pastry
Location: Namibia Street
Location: Next to Millennium Hall
Contact No: +251 93 036 2308
Contact No: +251 93 003 3177
Closes at: 9:00PM
Closes at: 8:30PM
Customer Rating: 4.6/5
Customer Rating: 4.4/5
Chaka Coffee
Bake and Brew
Location: Africa Avenue
Location: Sarbet
Contact No: +251 91 120 2888
Contact No: +251 91 306 0147
Closes at: 9:00PM
Closes at: 8:00PM
Customer Rating: 4.4/5
Customer Rating: 4.3/5
Tryst Addis
YA Coffee Roasters
Location: Olympia (on the way from Dembel City Center to Bambis)
Location: CMC Road, Next to Gesund Cardiac Hospital
Contact No: +251 94 406 1818
Contact No: +251 92 795 7171
Closes at: 7:00PM
Closes at: -
Customer Rating: 4.4/5
Customer Rating: 4.9/5
Dumerso Coffee
Feresula Coffee
Location: South Africa Street (Bisrate Gabriel)
Location: Africa Street
Contact No: +251 320 3973
Contact No: +251 96 641 1151 Closes at: 6:00pm
Closes at: 8:30PM
Customer Rating: 5.0/5
Customer Rating: 4.8/5
38 I Linkup Addis Ababa
Your choices for the best Ethiopian Coffee Experience
Coworking Spaces
Affordable spaces for startups looking for spaces to work and for business people in Addis for a short or long-term stay
iceaddis
Blue Space
Location: Bole, Near Hayat Hospital, Zewdu Bldg. 5th floor
Location: Namibia Street, Grace Plaza 4th Floor, near Atlas Hotel
Contact: www.iceaddis.com contact@iceaddis.com +251 11 667 4804
Contact: www.bluespace.work info@bluspace.work
Services: High speed wifi, standing desks, been bags, printer, scanner, projector, microphone, kitchen, free parking
Services: High speed wifi, working desks, printer, scanner, projector, relax zone, kitchen Starting Rates : 350ETB/day
Starting Rates : 380ETB/day
Abro Coworking Space
Xhub Addis Location: Cameroon Street, Morning Star Mall 5th Floor Contact: http://xhubaddis.com/ working/ info@xhubaddis.com +251 91 170 1361
Location: Namibia Street
Services: Wifi, free photocopy/ print (30 pages)
Services: Wifi, photocopy/print, desk, chair
Contact: https://abro-co-workingspace.business.site/ +251 911 11 0742
Starting Rates : 250ETB/day
Restaurants
Starting Rates : 250ETB/day
If you are thinking to explore international and cultural cuisine Addis has to offer, here are a few you may consider.
Italian restaurants
Agnese Restaurant
Mama Mia Italian Restaurant
Location: Old Airport Contact: +251 98 048 3824
Castelli Italian Restaurant
Location: Piassa, Mahatama-Gandhi Street, in front of Mohamud Music Shop Contact: +251 11 557 1757
Location: Next to Mele Zenawi Foundation, DAR Sahara Street Contact: +251 92 900 2218
39 I Linkup Addis Ababa
Bella Pizza & Pasta
Location: Bole Medhanialem, Near Abyssinia Mall Contact: +251 94 141 5422
Gusto Restaurant
Location: Churchill Road, Tracon Tower 3rd Floor Contact: +251 934 49 7861
Ethiopian Cultural restaurants
Yod Abyssinia Cultural Restaurant
Desalech Kitfo
Location: Carl Square, Sar Bet Contact: +2516612985 Known for: Ethiopian food, cultural performances
Location: Africa Avenue, behind Skylight Hotel Contact: +251 91 123 1859 Known for: Ethiopian traditional kitfo (minced meat)
Dashen Traditional Restaurant
Totot
Location: DAR Sahara Street, Near Swedish Community School Contact: +251 91 120 1723 Known for: Cozy atmosphere, cultural performances
Fendika Cultural Center
Location: Kazanchis Contact: +251 91 154 7577 Known for: Exceptional jazz and Ethiopian Azmaris
Location: Africa Avenue Contact: +251 646 0718 Known for: Ring Road, on the way to Gerji, in front of Anbessa Garage
Middle Eastern & Mediterranean restaurants
Fusion Bistro
Aladdin Restaurant
Location: Cameroon Street, Across Monarch Hotel Contact: +251 91 000 5151 Known for: Arabian cuisine
Location: Off Bole Road, near Japanese Embassy Residence Contact: +251 11 6614109 Known for: Arabian Cuisine
40 I Linkup Addis Ababa
Bait Al Mandi
Istanbul Restaurant
Location: Mickey Leland/ EU Street Contact: +251 91 151 8903 Known for: Middle Eastern Mediterranean Cuisine
Location: Cameroon Street, across Ukranian Embassy Contact: +251 910 17 4728 Known for: Turkish cuisine
The Kitchen
Location: Meskel Square, Inside Hyatt Regency Contact: +251 11 517 1234 Known for: Mediterranean Cuisine
Marketing Companies in Addis Proofit Marketing Solutions Location: Cameroon Street, Gulf Aziz Building, 2nd Floor Contact No: +251 953 42 77 97 info@proofit.com
251 Communications Location: Gabon Street, Aster Plaza, 3rd Floor Contact No: +251 116 63 0182 info@251communications.com https://251communications.com
Zeleman Communications Location: Africa Avenue, Snap Plaza, Snap Plaza, 10th floor Contact No: +251 116 63 2800 info@zeleman.com htttps://zeleman.com
Berry Advertising Location: Cameroon Street, Gulf Aziz Building, 3rd Floor Contact No: +251 930 07 8086 www.berryethiopia.com
41 I Linkup Addis Ababa
Ttree Advertising Location: Cape Verde Street, KT Building, 3rd Floor Contact No: +251 118 21 2112 info@ttreeadvertising.com ttreeadvertising.com
Spotlight Ethiopia Location: Africa Avenue, DH Geda Tower, 7th Floor Contact No: +251 913 98 6445 https://spotlightplc.com
Cactus Communications Location: Africa Avenue, Bedesta Building, 4th floor Contact No: +251 115 54 4901 info@cactusethiopia.com http:// cactusethiopia.com/
Eternal Media & Communication Location: Gabon Street, Aster Plaza Contact No: +251 114 70 3039 info@eternalmedia.com https://eternal-media.com
Parks & Museums in Addis Zoma Museum Location: Mekanisa, Near Abo Church Contact No: https://www. zomamuseum.org/ Feature: Landscaping, gardens, antique shop
Addis Ababa Museum Location: Meskel Square Contact No: http://www. addisababa.gov.et/de/web/guest/ museums#3 Feature: Museum, Restaurant, Panoramic View of Meskel Square
Unity Park
African Unbound
Location: Inside Ethiopian National Palace
Location: Off Churchill Road (On the way to National Palace)
Contact No: Unitypark.et
Contact No: https:// africaunboundmuseum.com/
Feature: Historical palaces, Zoo, cultural museum, restaurants
Feature: African Arts
Entoto Park Location: Entoto Hills Contact No: Feature: Bicycle and track, reading benches, camping site, restaurants, panoramic view of Addis Ababa
Leather shops in Addis Kuncho Design Website: https://www. kunchodesign.com/ Contact: kunchodesign@gmail.com +251 96 799 5384
42 I Linkup Addis Ababa
The leather industry in Addis is thriving with countless local and international leather lines. Here are a few.
Undkǝn- Made in Ethiopia Website: http://www.undken.com/ Contact: +251 912 75 2524
Meron Addis Ababa
Zaaf Collection
Website: https://www. meronaddisababa.com/
Website: https://www. zaafcollection.com/
Contact: info@meronaddisababa.com +251 911 12 2108
Contact: +251 910 14 9965
Electronics stores HEY Online market Known for: Phones, computers, cameras and other electronic devices retail Location: Bole Medehanealem, Hidmona Bulding Ground floor #12 Contact No: +251 95 396 4175
Bino Tech Store Known for: electronics retail, accessories, maintenance Location: Bole Medehanealem, Berhane Adere Building 1st floor #119floor #12 Contact No: +251 91 181 1446
Ramanet Computer Solutions Known for: electronics retail, accessories, maintenance Location: Bole Road DH Geda Tower G Floor, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and DH Geda Mezanine floor Office #2 Contact No: +251 92 234 3536, +251 91 121 3566
Yonas Mobile Known for: mobile maintenance and Unlocking service provider in Ethiopia. loaded with dedicated mobile engineers. Location: Awlo Buisness center First floor office #102 Contact No: +251 91 191 1111
43 I Linkup Addis Ababa