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Lensa (Aida) Mekonnen: From Public Service Leadership to Legislative Ambitions
By Chekole Alemu
Lensa (Aida) Mekonnen embodies a rare blend of entrepreneurial initiative, diplomatic experience, and public sector leadership, positioning her as one of Ethiopia’s emerging figures in governance and development. Born and raised in Addis Ababa, Mekonnen’s career spans private entrepreneurship, strategic government leadership, and international engagement, reflecting both depth of experience and a nuanced understanding of Ethiopia’s socio-economic and political landscape.
Mekonnen’s early foray into entrepreneurship laid the foundation for her subsequent work in institutional development and diplomacy. Her initial projects in the private sector emphasized innovation and systems building, particularly within agriculture and community development. This background informed her later government work, where strategic planning and stakeholder engagement became hallmarks of her approach.
In 2018, under the administration of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Mekonnen was appointed CEO of the Ethiopian Tourism Organization. Her tenure was marked by ambitious initiatives aimed at transforming Ethiopia’s tourism sector.
She spearheaded a 10-year MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) strategy, established a national convention bureau, and introduced frameworks for stopover tourism. Her vision extended beyond marketing: she championed comprehensive tourism resource mapping, destination optimization, and the creation of jobs throughout the tourism value chain, demonstrating a focus on both economic growth and social impact.
Two years later, Mekonnen took on the role of Founding CEO of the FDRE Land Bank and Development Corporation (LBDC), a self-funded government enterprise tasked with creating a structured, inclusive national landholding development system. Here, she focused on accurate landholding data, large-scale project concept development, and strategic investment planning. She organized the “Invest Origins” international investment forum, drawing foreign investment into housing, health, hospitality, education, and ICT sectors. The ReVamping Sheger Project, among others, highlighted her commitment to integrating urban development with socio-economic benefits for communities.
Mekonnen’s return to the tourism sector as State Minister underscored her ability to revitalize institutions and public engagement. Through social media campaigns and international collaboration, she advanced the East Africa Sustainable Tourism Development Strategy, launched in Addis Ababa in September 2024, aligning Ethiopia with regional sustainable tourism goals.
Beyond her executive roles, Mekonnen has shared her insights on global platforms, including a TEDx talk where she addressed leadership, strategic foresight, and the role of information technology in effective governance. Her career demonstrates a consistent focus on translating policy into tangible outcomes and fostering citizen engagement in development processes.
Now, Mekonnen is channeling her experience into electoral politics. She has begun the process to register as an Independent Candidate for the House of People’s Representatives representing Bole Sub-City, Wereda 07, emphasizing the principle of “Turning Regret into Action and Experience into National Transformation.” Her campaign platform reflects a deep commitment to inclusive governance, economic innovation, and institutional accountability. She advocates for decisive citizen participation, legislative oversight, and policies that foster youth-driven economic growth and attract responsible investment.
Mekonnen’s call is not just to voters, but to development partners, international institutions, and civil society, inviting collaboration to strengthen democratic practice, legislative capacity, and socio-economic development. By positioning her candidacy as a bridge between state reform and citizen agency, she seeks to model accountable representation and constructive dialogue between government and society.
Her journey—from entrepreneur to diplomat, CEO, state minister, and now prospective legislator—illustrates how diverse leadership experiences can translate into political vision. Mekonnen’s campaign signals an opportunity for her constituents to engage directly with a candidate whose expertise spans policy, governance, economic planning, and international engagement. In a moment when Ethiopia’s democratic institutions are evolving, her candidacy underscores the potential impact of informed, proactive, and citizen-focused political leadership.
Supporting Lensa (Aida) Mekonnen represents more than a vote for an individual; it is an investment in a model of governance that prioritizes transparency, economic growth, and community-centered development. Her message to constituents is clear: informed, decisive participation today can shape Ethiopia’s sustainable development tomorrow.
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