Welcome to Afri Aviation
Our Background
Changing Aviation Landscapes with Expertise.
AFRI Aviation was established by veteran aviation professionals who share a long-term vision and deep commitment to enhance the African aviation landscape. Each founding member brings over 25 years of hands-on experience from various reputable airlines and aviation organizations across the continent.
Our team plays a leading role in shaping major African aviation policies, including the liberalization of the sector through the Yamoussoukro Declaration. AFRI Aviation continues to be actively involved in regional initiatives such as the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) and studies initiated by the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC).
The Goal
Our Vision
To be the preferred aviation consultancy service provider in Africa, playing a strategic role in the development and modernization of the continent’s air transport sector.
Why choose us?
Our proven track record, extensive regional network, and ability to deliver both strategic insight and operational support position us as a trusted partner in aviation consultancy. We combine African expertise with international collaboration—bringing the best of both worlds to every project we undertake.
Members
Meet our Team
Tewodros Tamrat
Founding member and Managing partner
Tewodros is a founding member and Managing Partner of AFRI Aviation Plc., bringing over 25 years of experience in the aviation industry. A seasoned aviation law expert and industry analyst, Tewodros previously served with the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) in Nairobi, Kenya, where he held key positions including Director of Government, Corporate and Industry Affairs, and Acting Secretary General.
During his tenure at AFRAA, Tewodros advised the association and its airline members on aero-political and regulatory matters, representing AFRAA at international and regional air transport forums. He was also actively involved with the Yamoussoukro Decision Monitoring Body under the African Union (AU), and served as a member of the Panel of Aviation Legal Experts for both the AU and the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC).
Earlier in his career, Tewodros held the role of General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at Ethiopian Airlines and was the first Human Resource Director of the Sheraton Addis Hotel. He holds an LLB degree and has participated extensively in regional and international aviation conferences, seminars, and workshops.
Girma Shiferaw
Girma is an accomplished aviation executive and Senior Consultant at AFRI Aviation Plc., with over 35 years of experience in airline strategy, commercial operations, business development, and international partnerships. He has specialized in designing and executing corporate growth strategies, establishing equity partnerships and joint ventures, and leading regional and global expansions for national and multinational carriers.
Throughout his career at Ethiopian Airlines and AFRI Aviation, he has teamed up in the preparation and implementation of key strategic initiatives such as the Vision 2010, Vision 2025, and Vision 2035 — and launched successful equity partner airline startups across Africa. His work also includes negotiating Bilateral Air Service Agreements (BASA), managing Star Alliance membership processes, and spearheading expansion into North American and European markets.
He brings a global perspective with proven expertise in market research, network planning, alliance building, and air transport policy. Known for his strong leadership, analytical capabilities, and cross-functional collaboration, he is passionate about shaping the future of aviation in Africa and beyond.
- MSc in Air Transport Management – Cranfield University
- BA in Business Management – Addis Ababa University
- Former AVP, Director & Country Manager at Ethiopian Airlines Group
- Expert in Strategic Planning, Airline Alliances, Aero-Political Negotiations
With advanced training from IATA, Boeing and General Electric (GE), Girma brings deep expertise in airline business development, commercial operations, and aero-politics and wishes to connect and collaborate on areas such as aviation strategy, growth ventures, and industry innovations.
Romeo Pietro
Romeo is a Human Resources and Management professional with over 40 years of experience across banking, hospitality, oil & gas, and consultancy. He started in banking in 1978 before moving to hospitality, where he became Personnel and Training Manager at Addis Ababa Hilton International.
In 1999, he joined Mobil Oil East Africa as HR and Public Affairs Manager and later managed HR, Public Affairs, and Legal for TotalEnergies Ethiopia. In 2008, he was promoted to Regional HR Manager at TotalEnergies headquarters in Paris, overseeing HR across multiple regions.
Since 2015, Romeo has worked as an independent consultant specializing in HR transformation and leadership development. He holds a Master’s in International Business Administration from Guglielmo Marconi University, Italy.
Daniel Hailu
Daniel is a Partner at AFRI Aviation Plc. with over 30 years of international aviation experience. He holds a Master’s in Public Administration from Northeastern University, Boston.
Daniel started his career at Ethiopian Airlines in 1986, serving as Director of Economic Planning & International Affairs and Director of Planning & Market Analysis. He led key strategic initiatives, including expanding air service agreements, launching night operations, and growing the airline’s network to destinations like New York and Washington, D.C.
In 2003, Daniel joined Etihad Airways, contributing to its global expansion over 14 years as Senior Manager of Aero Political Affairs. He participated in high-level air service negotiations and mentoring programs for UAE national leaders.
With expertise in network planning, international aviation policy, regulatory and aero political monitoring and strategic negotiations, Daniel is a valuable leader in transformative aviation projects.
Mekbib Kifle (PHD)
Dr. Mekbib is a senior management consultant with over 30 years of experience in training, lecturing and working in areas related to Strategic Planning, Strategic Human Resource Management, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, and Management Information Systems. Since 2022, he has been consulting with AFRI-Consult, leading the development of a Strategic HR Plan for Ethiopia’s Civil Aviation Sector. He also has long-standing experience offering training to Ethiopian Airlines and holds deep knowledge of the aviation industry.
Dr. Mekbib previously worked with UN Peacekeeping Missions in Sudan, South Sudan, Iraq, and Kosovo as an international observer, program coordinator, strategic planning officer and in roles supporting human resources management. He has also served as a consultant to WFP, UNICEF, and UNDP, supporting logistics, community development, and financial systems in Zambia and Malawi.
A former lecturer at the Department of Management and Public Administration of Addis Ababa University, Mekbib has also lectured at the University of Zambia, Zambia Institute of Public Administration, Zambia Management Institute, University of Rwanda, and Ethiopian Institute of Banking and Insurance. He provided management training to various professionals for the Ethiopian and Addis Ababa Chambers of Commerce and Ethiopian Management Institute. Mekbib is a founding member and Vice President of the Ethiopian Management and Ethiopian Logistics and Supply Chain Management Professional Associations. Dr. Mekbib holds a Ph.D. from the University of Strathclyde, U.K., an MBA from Symbiosis Institute of Management in India, and a Bachelor Degree in Business and Development Administration from Addis Ababa University.
Lia B. Cahsai
Lia is a versatile executive with over 15 years of leadership experience in Marketing and Human Resources, primarily gained at Ethiopian Airlines, where she held senior roles including Director of In-flight Services, Manager of Assessment and Development in HR, and Director of Marketing and Total Quality Management.
She also brings 8 years of international school leadership as Human Resource Manager at the International Community School of Addis Ababa, and has worked with United Airlines (London), Daallo Airlines (Dubai), and Zeleman, a leading Ethiopian marketing firm.
Lia holds a Master’s degree from the State University of New York and has completed numerous aviation and management training programs. She continues to offer global webinars and consulting services in HR and marketing.
Yissehak Zewoldi
A graduate of Addis Ababa University (B.Sc. Economics), he began his career at Ethiopian Airlines in 1971 and rose to Vice President of Alliances & Strategic Planning.
Yissehak held key roles including Economic Planning Manager, Area & Regional Manager across Africa and Europe, and Director of Commercial Planning. He was instrumental in Ethiopian Airlines’ full membership in Star Alliance, greatly expanding its global network.
He also served as CEO of ASKY Airlines, leading network expansion, cargo operations, and securing the airline’s first IOSA Certification. Later, he was CEO of Four Winds Travel & Tours, a major Ethiopian tour operator.
With advanced training from Boeing, ICAO, and Maastricht Management Institute, Yissehak brings deep expertise in aviation development, alliances, and international business growth.
Emebet Tesfayes
Emebet is a Senior Consultant at AFRI Aviation Plc., bringing over 25 years of airline industry experience across Africa and the Middle East. She joined AFRI Aviation in September 2018 and has since contributed her expertise in airline planning, finance, and strategy within multi-national and multicultural environments.
Emebet began her career at Ethiopian Airlines as a college trainee and rose through various leadership roles including Manager of Disbursements, General Accounting, Passenger Sales Audit, International Affairs, and Director of Economic Planning & Alliances. In 2008, she joined Etihad Airways in the UAE, where she held positions in Financial and Strategic Planning. There, she managed high-impact projects involving route and network evaluation, financial modeling, budgeting, KPI development, and route profitability analysis.
Emebet holds an MBA from Concordia University in Montreal, Canada, and a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Addis Ababa University. Her core strengths lie in financial planning, route performance analysis, strategic forecasting, and government affairs, making her an invaluable member of AFRI Aviation’s advisory team.
Kidest T. Ketema
Kidest started her career at Ethiopian Airlines, holding key roles including Manager of Airport Services in Frankfurt and Department Manager of Ground Handling in Addis Ababa. Kidest also worked as Duty Manager at a major ground handling company in London.
For the past two years, she has been Country Manager at MACCFA-Ceva Freight Logistics Ethiopia, overseeing operations and business growth. Previously, she served as COO (Air Freight) at the same company.
Kidest holds an MBA from Leicester University and a BA in Economics from Addis Ababa University. She has completed professional training in digital marketing, people management, airline marketing, and international negotiation. Fluent in English and Amharic, she combines global insight with strong industry expertise.
Are you ready to take your aviation journey further?
Contact us today and let’s get started.