Kahsay W Barnabas
Founder & Chairman
Kahsay Wolday Barnabas, an innovative entrepreneur born and raised in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, exemplifies resilience and foresight. His journey began at the age of 16 when he started working at his father’s shop in Dechatu. This early exposure to commerce sparked his entrepreneurial spirit, leading him to embark on his own business ventures.
Kahsay began his entrepreneurial journey in soap-making, leveraging the proximity of Dire Dawa to Djibouti, a key trade hub. Identifying the dependency of local manufacturers on imported soap noodles, a key ingredient for soap production, he took a bold step. He not only imported soap noodles to scale his business but also sought to localize production by studying the raw materials. Discovering that soap noodles are derived from oil, Kahsay
His venture grew to rival leading Ethiopian companies such as Shemu Edible Oil, while simultaneously supplying soap noodles across Ethiopia and East Africa.established his own oil manufacturing company.
Realizing the reliance on imported raw materials for oil production, Kahsay launched Sboom-Agro, and bought 3,000 hectares of land. With a vision to serve his community, he expanded beyond oil production to ensure affordable food availability. Through ASVEZA, he created a platform connecting his agricultural outputs with local farmers, fostering a sustainable market for food production.
Kahsay recognized the financial challenges faced by African farmers and established Africa Village Microfinance to bridge the gap. This initiative provides loans to support farmers in acquiring modern technology and infrastructure, ensuring financial stability and growth within the agricultural sector.
Kahsay extended his vision to sustainable transportation by founding KAS AUTO, one of Africa’s first electric vehicle manufacturing companies, with operations in Ethiopia and China. Understanding the unique needs of African markets, he introduced Green Tech Africa, focusing on hydrogen-powered vehicles (HHO) to align with global sustainability goals and promote environmental conservation.
In addressing the housing crisis, Kahsay launched Web Housing, a company specializing in affordable, pre-manufactured modular homes. This initiative aims to provide cost-effective housing solutions while enhancing urban living standards.
Kahsay Wolday Barnabas’s endeavors transcend borders. His investments and partnerships across the globe aim to position African products and innovations on the world stage. Through his diverse enterprises, he has not only solved pressing local challenges but also laid the groundwork for Africa’s sustainable economic growth.
Kahsay’s remarkable journey stands as an inspiration to many, proving that visionary leadership and an unwavering commitment to problem-solving can create transformative change for communities and beyond.
