Eritrean businessman Yibrah Tesfazghi dramatically grew General Electric (GE) Africa’s revenue from $150 million to $3.8 billion in just three years.
Born in Eritrea, he was forced to flee persecution by Ethiopian security forces during the 30-year Ethiopia-Eritrea war. After life as a refugee in several countries including Saudi Arabia, he joined GE in 1980.
Tesfazghi rose through finance, logistics, and project management roles across the Middle East and Africa.
In 2003, he was appointed President and Regional Executive of GE Africa — the first Black African in such a senior position at GE International. He built a talented local “African Dream Team,” emphasizing integrity and direct engagement, transforming Africa into one of GE’s fastest-growing regions.
He retired in 2019 after 38 years and later wrote the memoir Glass Ceilings & Hidden Walls.