During this year’s “The most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD)” awards, the Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO, of Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam, has again been named as one of the most influential people of African descent in the category of business and entrepreneurship.

(MIPAD) is a global civil society initiative in support of the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent, recognizing high achievers in four categories namely Politics and Governance, Business and Entrepreneurship, Media & Culture and Religious and Humanitarian.

Employees of the Airline Group released a statement to recognize and appreciate GebreMariam. Part of the statement reads, “On behalf of the entire 17,000 employees of Ethiopian Airlines Group, we would like to Congratulate our Group CEO for being selected as one of the 100 most influential people in Africa for the second time.”

According to the employees, they have witnessed the fourfold growth of the group in his 10 years as GCEO of the airline group. He has also been appreciated and honored for successfully managing many existential global crises including the unprecedented crisis of the global pandemic of COVID-19.

Regarding the recognition, Mr. Tewolde GebereMariam, remarked, “It is an absolute honor to have received this prestigious recognition, an accolade that highlights the contribution of high achievers to Africa. First and foremost, my recognition is a tribute to the hardworking Ethiopian employees, ardent management members , the board and the government of Ethiopia at large. The award attests the incredibly important role Ethiopian airlines plays in the integration of Africa through a robust business. I have always taken a great deal of pride that Ethiopian is catalyzing the much needed trade and investment, tourism, and people-to-people relations in the continent and beyond.”