Ethiopian Airlines has proudly announced that its Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mesfin Tasew, has been honored with the esteemed Ato Girma Wake Lifetime Achievement Award. The award was presented during the grand AviaDev Africa 2025 ceremony, held in Zanzibar, which brought together over 500 high-profile delegates from across the continent and beyond.
The award recognizes Mr. Mesfin’s decades-long contributions to route development and African aviation, as well as his influential leadership in transforming Ethiopian Airlines into a globally recognized aviation group.
In his acceptance speech, Mr. Mesfin expressed deep appreciation: “The joy I feel for receiving the Ato Girma Wake Lifetime Achievement Award is twofold. This award is more than an honor—it is named after Africa’s father of aviation, Ethiopian Airlines’ former CEO and my mentor.”
He continued, “This recognition is a testament to the collaborative effort of the entire Ethiopian Airlines team. As a Pan-African airline, we strive to realize a well-connected Africa, and such accolades only strengthen our commitment to do more.”
Under Mr. Mesfin’s leadership, Ethiopian Airlines has consistently achieved operational excellence, expanded its global network, and remained at the forefront of aviation innovation across the continent.
Named after Mr. Girma Wake, a pioneering force in African aviation, the award is reserved for individuals who have made a profound and lasting impact on the sector.
AviaDev Africa, the continent’s leading aviation route development event, serves as a crucial platform for collaboration between airlines, airports, tourism authorities, governments, and industry partners—all working to shape the future of air connectivity in Africa.
