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Gizeshwork Tessema
Business Leader | Logistics Executive | Entrepreneur | Trade Facilitation Specialist
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Quick Insights
20+ years of enterprise leadership
Founder of a logistics company operating since 2001
AfCF Secretariat approved vendor eligibility (2026–2028 registration period)
Experience supporting import-export businesses
Particpation in international private sector platforms
Continued higher education completed while leading a company
Gizeshwork Tessema was born and raised in Addis Ababa, where she developed early exposure to business environments and entrepreneurship. Her professional journey reflects gradual growth from operational business engagement into executive leadership through practical experience and continued education.
Her trajectory demonstrates a combination of experience-based learning, international professional training, and formal academic advancement achieved alongside her business leadership responsibilities.
Selected Career Milestones
Founder & CEO — GIZE PLC (2001–Present)
Over 20 years of logistics and business leadership experience
Built a private logistics company supporting Ethiopian trade operations
GIZE PLC registered as an Approved Vendor of the AfCFTA Secretariat (2025)
Participant in United Nations Global Compact-related initiatives
Contributor to World Bank private sector data initiatives
Speaker and participant in entrepreneurship and business forums
Mentor supporting emerging Ethiopian entrepreneurs
Professional Affiliations , Membership & Additional Contributions
Founder & CEO — GIZE PLC
Approved Vendor — AfCFTA Secretariat Supplier Register
Participant — United Nations Global Compact initiatives
Contributor — World Bank private sector engagement platforms
Member — Professional logistics networks
Participant — Business leadership forums
Mentor — Entrepreneurship development initiatives
Professional Overview
Gizeshwork Tessema is an Ethiopian business leader known for her sustained contribution to logistics, international freight forwarding, and private sector enterprise development. She is the founder and chief executive officer of GIZE PLC, a logistics and business services company established in 2001.
Through more than two decades of leadership, she has developed experience in multimodal transport coordination, international shipping, customs facilitation, and trade logistics services supporting businesses operating in Ethiopia and regional markets.
Under her leadership, GIZE PLC achieved registration as an approved vendor of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, confirming the company’s eligibility to participate in procurement processes and service provision opportunities within the continental trade framework. This recognition reflects the company’s compliance with supplier requirements under African Union procurement standards.
Her professional engagement also includes participation in sustainability initiatives, private sector dialogue platforms, and entrepreneurship development discussions. Alongside her executive responsibilities, she has continued her academic development through executive education programs at Harvard Business School and formal management studies at Addis Ababa University.
Her career reflects long-term commitment to enterprise building, professional development, and strengthening private sector participation in Ethiopia’s economic growth.
Areas of Expertise
International Freight Forwarding
Logistics Management
Supply Chain Operations
Trade Facilitation
Import-Export Coordination
Business Strategy
Entrepreneurship
Contract Negotiation
Investment Logistics Support
Private Sector Development
Professional Services & Advisory
Freight forwarding services
Logistics advisory
Trade facilitation support
Supply chain consulting
Import-export logistics coordination
Business advisory
Entrepreneurship mentorship
Beneficiaries & Engagement Focus
Import and export businesses
Trade operators and investors
Infrastructure projects
Entrepreneurs and startups
Private sector institutions
Young professionals entering logistics careers
Women entrepreneurs
Education
Harvard Business School
Executive Education — Business Administration and Leadership
Executive training focused on leadership, strategy, and organizational excellence.
Harvard Business School Executive Education
Executive Leadership Program 2016
Professional development focused on leadership values, organizational responsibility, and impact-driven business leadership.
Addis Ababa University
Bachelor’s Degree — Management
Studies included management, accounting, marketing, financial management, and entrepreneurship.
Florida University of Southeast (FUSE)
Professional Training — Capital Market Development
Training focused on capital markets and investment environments in emerging economies.
International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA)
Certification — International Shipping
Professional certification supporting specialization in freight forwarding and logistics operations.
Selected Publications, Awards & Legacy Achievements
AfCFTA Secretariat Supplier Registration Recognition (2025)
Contributor to UN Global Compact sustainability dialogue
Participation in Ethiopian business leadership forums
Private sector engagement recognition platforms
Contributor to business environment discussions
Professional Journey & Contribution
Through GIZE PLC, Gizeshwork Tessema has contributed to strengthening Ethiopia’s logistics service capacity by supporting freight forwarding operations, trade logistics coordination, and supply chain services for businesses and development projects.
Her company’s registration as an AfCFTA Secretariat-approved vendor represents an important institutional milestone, positioning the enterprise within Africa’s continental procurement ecosystem and enabling participation in regional service opportunities.
Gizeshwork Tessema has been representing Frontier Energy in Ethiopia. Through her work, she has played a key role in supporting the Ethiopian government in securing 70 million Danish kroner in funding from the government of Denmark to advance solar energy initiatives in Ethiopia.
Her broader contribution includes supporting private sector dialogue, entrepreneurship development, and professional knowledge sharing. Her career also reflects a strong commitment to continuous learning, demonstrated by completing university education while managing her company.
Platform Acknowledgment
Last Updated: April 2026