a vision for bahir dar (ethiopia) - insight by yogesh bahadur

My Vision for Bahir Dar A perspective on education in Ethiopia with relevance to its

infrastructure development and comparisons with INDIA

by Yogesh Bahadur, Director, Pentacle Energy & Infra Projects Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi

(based upon observations during my stay in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia as faculty with Ethiopian Maritime Training Institute, EMTI, 2012-13)

Date: APRIL 2013

2 My Vision for Bahir Dar -‐ by Yogesh Bahadur

About the Author & Preface to Vison for Bahir Dar

(by Yogesh Bahadur)

The origins of this paper lie in my observations and active interaction with the wonderful people of the

growing city of Bahir Dar over 6 months of my stay recently as faculty at Ethiopian Maritime

Training Institute, which is presently training maritime engineering cadets for ocean going vessels at

premises of Bahir Dar University (BDU), which is a premier University in Ethiopia.

I beg to apologize to some of those who have seen this paper in its unfinished form prior to my

departure from Bahir Dar, where the preface was a very general CV of my career itself (I was NOT

looking for a job!). Also, since I was actually discussing the contents with some friends/associates in

Bahir Dar itself, some even caught to references ‘between the lines’ as relating to some specific personal

instances. In an essay arriving at a Business Plan, I see at as extremely irrelevant.

However so, from Khushwant Singh to Rushdie and I am nowhere in that league, I do not know of any

writer who has NOT done that. Life and/or career itself can be the ONLY learning point of any story

or essay, be it personal, technical or fictional is what I know. Also, now I am well into a normally

‘retirement’ age and this is no coincidence in anybody’s maturity who can write from lyrics of music to

technology and fiction, that we try to present only sufficiently researched papers. Also, that all write-

ups are not written for appreciation. This one as a matter of fact, is written as course of finding my

own self, as I make my valiant attempt to strike a few chords of success through my long years in

attempting ‘entrepreneurship’ and which includes some real success stories built on SUCH experience.

Dear friends and colleagues who read this, yes I have done it all many times before, but never without

asking for feedback. So, now I can assure you, this paper is being published on my websites only after

incorporating all feedback received since last 3 months of the first submission of this paper.

The point of significant emphasis for this paper are my comparisons with India’s story of growth since

1990’s, as I was also following Ethiopia as a destination for future business. I just felt that as the

Ethiopian government under their relatively new and very dynamic prime minister is encouraging

foreign enterprise and opening up of policy; very much as India had in mid 1990’s when it had

decided on its liberalization and privatization program. So in the end, this paper is a reflection for

India and also provides an insight into my Business Plan for Ethiopia…..this paper IS IN ESSENCE,

A CALL TO POTENTIAL INVESTORS AND VENTURE CAPITALISTS in my Vision itself!

During the last few days, I am greatly encouraged by meetings with Ethiopian entrepreneurs and

government officials, as they share my vision in a way, without actually having read this article.

My Vision for Bahir Dar 3

* thamari means ‘student’ in Amharic (Ethiopian) ‘kabele’ is a ‘colony’ within a city ‘kasbakas’ is ‘slowly slowly’!

Whereas the paper’s origins themselves lie in my attempt to pen an essay relating to my very initial

experiences as a visitor to Bahir Dar; but it was out of habit from my underlying experience of many

years in undertaking socio-economic studies and country or project risk analysis as a Business

Development professional with more than 20 years of experience in international projects, mainly in

areas of Renewable Energy and Power (my short term in teaching at a University being an attempt to

reach back yet once again to my ‘Roots’ as a Naval Architect and Marine Engineer with significant

part of my career in Maritime operations & Shipbuilding).

In my personal favor I must also emphasize that many times during my career, my business proposals

have been appreciated for their insight and clarity! Many times my proposals have actually influenced

our business and prestige grow and new markets to evolve, including many FIRSTS for my companies

and business areas, based upon just this very ‘exploration’ and ‘knowledge’.

All the same I must also point out that Ethiopia is definitely not as far behind as India was in 1991,

but just that every developing country at one time or another, finds itself at threshold of dynamic

growth and change necessary in a fast changing world and I am referring only to 1991 as one such

milestone for India. In fact even the ‘between the lines’ references that some friends have pointed out

are a reflection of its great potential lying in the very premise and Vision statement of University of

Bahir Dar, which is “Wisdom at the source of Nile”.

And it is through this learning experience and many potentially and hopefully long term friendships

and associations I have made in Ethiopia at large, that I return to India with a burning desire to

return to Ethiopia soon and to contribute in a way, not just for business ventures, but greater

cooperation by virtue of many cultural similarities that we share amongst our two great nations.

Towards the last chapter, please do go through the gist of what I have written in form of a proposal

for what needs to be done to make Bahir Dar and its education institutions more “vibrant”, energetic

and hence motivating for the youth to find greater interest in education under many driving programs

of Ministry of Education, to encourage Public Private and Institution-Private synergies that enhance

employability, especially for poorer sections of society, whom I see as highly potential and critical to

Ethiopia’s future and growth.

I would welcome both criticism and commendation; but feedback and insight any which way will

make my Ethiopia journey meaningful and extremely worthwhile.

Thanking you,

Yogesh Bahadur

SKYPE: yogesh_bahadur Email: [email protected]


1.0 Background

My five months in Bahir Dar as of today (this was in February, 2013) seems like a lifetime shrunk into one happy and eventful capsule. As reason number one, I love University Campuses, libraries, books, computer rooms, landscapes -characteristics of places of higher learning and especially the vibrancy that comes from being alongside the young(er) people. The ‘young’ usually means people with desire and capacity to learn and explore endlessly; or those who do not claim to have found all the answers one needed to find in a lifetime. That’s only a very personal perspective of course and I do not wish to inflict that on anybody else!

Coming from a family where being educated and getting involved in education and learning of any kind has

been a matter of pride and what once defined my community in Delhi as a whole (‘old Delhi’ not New

Delhi…because it is in the ‘old’ Delhi where the main University and reputed colleges are still housed since the

British found virtue in making Indian people educated enough to produce even a Gandhi!). Educating myself

also became a reason to cut short my Maritime career way back in early 1980’s and I went to University of

Michigan at Ann Arbor, Michigan to pursue a degree in Naval Architecture since until then Maritime training

in India was a vocational but reputed course; preferred by those who were adventurous enough and could see

the lure of a salary in US dollars straight after college. The uniform and some glamor associated with ‘Marine’

was always an added plus.

The education in America was fine, but then Ann Arbor is heralded as the finest University Campuses in the

world and I had a wonderful time, not just with books but my interludes with many diverse activities like

personal relationships, music, social sciences, technology, computers, etc. which perhaps could never have come

into my life otherwise, with so much ‘high tide’ that keeps me ‘awash’ so many times over my career (meaning,

I am driven to explore more, do more!).

It’s not important that as a place of learning, a University has to be the best in the world; but if it can be

remembered for good things as long as its alumni live their healthy and active lives, it must have been

nonetheless, a great place to be in his/her (the ‘thamari’s*’ times)! And this exactly, is my vision for Bahir Dar,

a town defined by its University and many institutions of potentially decent and even higher learning.

Bahir Dar, as I am getting to know it, is a stark contrast of its own self as we move from one area to another

within this small town. Sometime it appears to change drastically even within an area or ‘kabele*’ (locality) to

another and from one street in a kabele to another and from time to time in course of a single day. But it

actually doesn’t stop just there. There are many times it has seemed to me that when I meet a local person

whom I befriended in one place, I would most likely see a different person when if I were to meet elsewhere on

another day.

This perhaps is one mystery that I find myself struggling to unravel in this small University town. Gradually

(kasbakas*) I am learning to respect a Habesha’s (person from local Amhara region) wisdom in whatever his

behavior and attitude may appear to a occasional visitor or traveller who is less acquainted with local customs,

beliefs and habits; but not actually accepting everything as an idea or wisdom which should auger well for



future of Bahir Dar or Ethiopia as it dovetails with the developing world; for CHANGE always comes with its

share of future and cultural shocks.

A case in favor of my above observation is just what we are witnessing in India, on streets of its capital New

Delhi in recent months. The gory incidences of rape and manipulation of even educated youth, ugly corruption

and politicization of middle class society, greed of the ‘sudden’ and noveu rich amongst a phase of

“development” where people got rich from any and every means. These are negative examples I often find

myself sharing with my growing friends and contacts in Bahir Dar - some negative outcomes of rapid growth in

a country of Billion plus people! But important aspect is, that from this “growth” per se, WE CAN ANALYSE

SOME, WE CAN ACCEPT SOME, WE CAN CHANGE SOME…..BUT WE CAN ALSO WARN SOMEBODY

ELSE WHAT NOT TO DO, WHEN THEY TAKE THEIR PATH OF “GROWTH ON FAST TRACK”!

And this is what I had in mind when I started writing this piece of literature, which I do hope will find me a

path for a longer run with Ethiopia and its wonderful people. I only hope, I can express myself without

sounding brash and giving impression of glorifying my own limited capabilities.


2.0 My Background For last twenty (20) years or so, my work has centered on developing energy and infrastructure related projects

as a business development professional, surveyor and consultant mostly with regards to hydropower, wind

energy, electricity and large/heavy construction projects. Inevitably, it involves travel to remotest areas in

India and more recently in developing countries mainly Africa and Latin America.

In due course of socio-economic studies and analysis, my senses have got habituated to rationalizing patterns of

behavior, attitudes, etc. and of course, the geography, environmental and social concerns that may govern

various risk factors critical to investors and developers (my clients). This added to my past voyages of a

Maritime career have given me due comfort and confidence to overcome fear and embark for unknown

destinations with little preparation or precaution – my immense faith in mankind as a whole.

And, it was with this faith that I came to Ethiopia, knowing perhaps the least about this African country in

comparison to many other fast developing economies that I had been following as part of my business, having

set up a private consultancy company of my own in 2009. When I first stepped onto the turf at Bahir Dar

airport on September 26, 2012, the darkness and rain belied the vibrancy of this little big town; since I was

given to believe by my Maritime friend and faculty at Ethiopian Maritime Academy that this was a small quiet

little town where it would be hard to get even a Colgate toothpaste; why I wonder!

Well, not just Bahir Dar, but I have come to realize, that Ethiopia by itself has been the ‘best kept secret’!

Everybody would want to preserve and protect Bahir Dar for its many endearing characteristics that can

engulf one’s psyche and imagination, as they are doing to me. I can best describe Ethiopia from lyrics of the

song “Harambe Harambe (Ethiopia)” by the phenomenal ‘Hailey Roots’, through whom the very American Mr.

Bob Marley, the formal messiah of popular black musicians lives in hearts of Ethiopian music lovers (on tee-

shirts, posters, bar room walls et al) and brings back my own memories of youth and music concerts back in U.

S. of A where I had my formal college education and worked for almost a decade back in the eighties. The lyrics

say somewhere within the song:

“We need so much love in Africa land,

Righteousness of a human kind,

No more tribal war, no more confusion,

One all, my people; one Revelation!”

Yes, Ethiopia is a Revelation and has left all bad things very much behind. I am happy to see the police

manning poor man’s colonies, ahead of main roads (I am amazed!). Only now, youth in my country are

revolting for issues of uncaring attitude to women, children and the weak (courtesy NDTV News of recent

months) and blaring sirens on fast cars for all and sundry politicians, as public at large in my developed

country yet faces all kinds of torture and inconvenience; even as India has progressed and Indians can well

support developing countries in Africa, Latin America and new Russia for their progress. Is that why I am in

Ethiopia, I wonder!



3.0 My Good Times at Bahir Dar

I live out of a house provided by Maritime Institute, which can well be a mansion sticking out amongst an

array of hutments and humble dwellings. To my family and friends in India I may have introduced my new

home as a place amongst poorest of poor people; since my only other memories of Ethiopia as of then, were of

the poor dying from famine that became a world event and call for Humanity to come together and help the

starving Ethiopia back in 1980s when I was in America. Then, Michael Jackson was a living rage amongst both

young and old and he along with other popular musicians composed the historic monument of music “We are

the world; we are the children”. However, five months down at Bahir Dar, those incidences of the past can be

easily forgotten; but I do tend to recall the song, for its meaning of people from the world helping the less

fortunate people of the world – if not for Ethiopia; it may well be, for the times that we are living in.

Perhaps it is something about ‘wisdom at the source of Nile’ the quote on flag of Bahir Dar Universty that

keeps jacking my thinking cap when I see even poverty wrapped in acute common sense that is both irrational

and very pragmatic at the same time. Bahir Dar is a place where nobody wants to get fooled by anybody else; if

you are poor, you are poor and nobody richer can change that for anybody poorer. At the same time they are

positive and most are trying hard by way of education, hard work or just being with the right kind of people;

given of course, that it is the Opportunities that are few and not the will to excel. This is the positive which I

can take as a business advisor, consultant and professional.

The general belief that makes Bahir Dar so effervescent and exciting is that everybody, whatever the

circumstances seems to be determined to be happy and enjoy life to the fullest; while there is an underlying

spirit of entrepreneurship, even if it is brewing out of a fast growing sense that defines consumerism in EVERY

developing country – the simple & innocuous things like desire to own a cell phone, live in a modern house, use

modern appliances; and why not? The same television that is watched in USA, Europe and India is watched by

the youth and older of the people alike here in Ethiopia, although the Ethiopian TV, like our very own

Doordarshan (DD) in India is the official government channel which can be subscribed for free.

The same dreams that drove Indian enterprise to how India is respected in African and other developing

nations now, will drive Ethiopia and its youth in times to come. I do hear so many pessimistic views within

sections of overseas fraternity even here in Bahir Dar when people miss their shopping malls, cars and fast

lanes; they might say that this is backward country, where no business will run, etc. but it is not in PRESENT

that a entrepreneur like me lives but in hopes, aspirations and possibilities for the future! To this we have to

look back at our own reflections, maybe 10 or 20 years before now!

I can recall it was not too different from how a foreigner would have viewed India 20 years ago. In fact my

German collaborator’s engineer who stepped out on Indian streets for the first time in 1994 had expressed,

“Hey, I came to India thinking there were poor, unhappy people; but even these poor people, perhaps their


clothes are dirty, but they are looking so happy; how come?” I had understood MY India perhaps for the best

time from this statement and have not forgotten it still!

3.1 Lessons of Growth – from history of developed world

India was perhaps changed when around the seventies, the on-screen character of rags to riches stories, by

hook or by crook played by the iconic film star Mr. Amitabh Bachan in Bollywood movies back in the 1970’s,

changed all that and poorest of poor in India began transformation from their deprived origins to modern day

Robin Hoods like Haji Mastan and Dawood Ibrahim (the most wanted of gangsters and mafia east of Suez

Canal) rolled in one. But that is a matter best debated on Indian news or ‘Bollywood’ television channels.

Surely the ‘Indian’ mafia, read ‘business’ of another kind had by then come of age too. These drove aspirations

of poorer and yes, Indian cinema continues to glorify rags to riches story of such people in a way that America

is accused in other countries for its ‘capitalism’. To me, its all the same, enwrapped in ‘desires’ of simple and

impressionable masses that constitute all developing countries and where America was one too, once upon a

time!

On my part, I am only keen to find some answers that are specific to Bahir Dar or maybe in the process, about

Ethiopia where it stands today. This may be acceptable or even applicable, given that Ethiopia itself is a vast

country of diverse people, languages and cultures. At least, I am hoping, it would touch a chord and trigger

feedback from its educative and intellectual fraternity, as response to perspective “from another side”. By no

means is the discussion based on planned intent or research; neither is it based on any theory and principles

that line bookshelves at the many wonderful libraries associated with the University of Bahir Dar, although I

have indulged in fair bit of reading about customs, history, environment, social sciences and music of Ethiopia

and Amhara region in particular.

This discussion is simply an expression from observations in my quest to make my stay here in Bahir Dar

meaningful, simply because such have been my experiences that I must! In general, Bahir Dar has been a place

where I have had the glorious opportunity to interact with the local people across its complex layers and social

strata, learn new things and yes, there is an underlying socio-economic quest as an exploring entrepreneur in a

highly potential developing African country that can perhaps chart a future for me. This, I keep reminding

myself, is what I came for here to Ethiopia too; but will my destiny allow me to be here long enough is already

a nagging question inside me.

The question has relevance too.

For one, many things about Bahir Dar and ‘Habesha’ people (natives of Amhara region) at large seem to be like

best kept secrets, where nobody must disturb the fabric of local beliefs, customs and hierarchies within the

society. Whereas it seems almost identical to India, Indian poverty hits you ‘in-the-face’ and the diversity and

complexities have been so widely popularized across the world. In Ethiopia, it seems, the differences between

these various layers across economic subdivisions within society are not so defined and identifiable. They have

to be explored, given sufficient time, energy and a tenacity bordering on intrusion into affairs that are very

personal; certainly not every foreigner’s cup of tea unless you are from National Geographic or some such

exploratory mission with a direct purpose. Here too, I would not be willing to believe that one will more than

scrape the surface and might just as well get stuck with community life in ‘Kabeles’, because the individual

mind-sets across different age groups, genders, etc. are not likely to reveal much in short time frame.



On the streets, young men shout ‘Namaste’ recognizing my Indian face. Often it is followed by “do you need a

wife?” Earlier I used to wonder why, but it didn’t take long to understand; Ethiopian poverty transforming to

an invitation. In India we are quick to separate such an invitation as good or bad. In Bahir Dar, there is no

dividing line, because there is no shame in either! The ‘good’ or bad is only a perception. Each walks through

the streets in shades of grey and can even come unscathed from the other side as pure white, even if there was

no black along the way. Whereas the women generally speaking are shy, tentative and reticent; it is

surprisingly the men who seem to be too open to seek the ‘foreigner’ for ‘something extra’ and perhaps over the

years, some have learnt that the women are justified bait.

Nobody will insist or pressure, or even expect that you will fall for the bait. This is simply – innocent

hospitality for whosoever may succumb; although in the big cities like Addis Ababa, you can well have your

pockets picked if you are not careful. Bahir Dar I have found, is free from crime at large and personally

speaking I have not faced any problems here that are associated with many or most African small towns in

general. One can walk freely at night, even where streets are dark; though it is not advisable as such for

foreigners


4.0 “Education” at Bahir Dar

In India, we can separate educated from uneducated. In Bahir Dar, town of many colleges and Polytechnics, to

foreigner coming here without baggage of bias, the uneducated can pass off as educated in a way that is hard to

explain. I can only infer and explain reading from the motto on flag of University of Bahir Dar “Wisdom at the

source of Nile”. Gradually, I am seeing unusual wisdom in the people, for all oddities and local flavor that they

might impress upon me as an international traveller of sorts at this phase of my life. Somehow the people

impress me as generally ‘govez’ (clever) and ‘harif’ (smart) just like anybody on Mumbai streets, i.e. street

smart; or ‘Konjo’ (beautiful/good looking) which people here generally are (endorsed by my fellow ‘foreign’

faculty too!).

To me it seems to have its bearings on the fact that Bahir Dar has in recent years, been taking on a

Cosmopolitan euphoria with influx of overseas visitors, teachers/faculty, professionals, engineers, overseas

skilled labor mostly employed for infrastructure growth in this part of Amhara region, of which Bahir Dar is

the largest township around vicinity of Lake Tana, asides of City of Gondor on the diametrically opposite end of

the lake itself.

Yes, Ethiopian people take great care of their looks; doesn’t matter whether you have the money or not. Bahir

Dar to me can well represent a ‘city of beauty parlors’ and they cater as good to the poorer segment as they do

to the rich and ‘foreign’, the last two forming the ‘other’ extreme. A stylish lady hairdo (and there are such

enchanting versions too!) amounting to a ‘make-over’, comes at just 15 Birr (less than a Dollar). Naturally

blessed with best of features from all the beautiful countries around, there is the best of African, Arabic,

Jewish, traditional Amhara, Egyptian, even lot of India in the department of looks and colour. I can highlight

the female features better as a writer-musician basically, but undoubtedly Ethiopian women at Bahir Dar to

me, qualify as the most beautiful women on this side of the world.

The mention of beauty and ‘business of beauty’ features in my segment on ‘Education’ for mainly two reasons:

(a) World over, Universities are a domain for Fashion and ‘trends’ and Bahir Dar is no different. (b) Everybody here appears to be ‘educated’ because of the way they carry themselves, despite the fact I

have never witnessed fashion shows or anything globally trendy in Bahir Dar, so it has to be something inborn and natural. If they are just learning from television and internet, boy (!!) they must be bright!

However, the last of above is not entirely true. Majority of Bahir Dar youth are school or college drop-outs. I am

actually alarmed how many find education itself redundant, when the government itself is doing so much to

encourage education. Their desire to work and get rich, their fancy for foreigners as ‘rich anyhow’ is so

alarming, I fear for their future even as I converse with some; coming from a country where getting rich fast is

now established as a fad which has taken its toll over two decades of Liberalization & Privatization, which was

supposed to have made us ‘developed’ and a great market for overseas products and services.

But at Bahir Dar, the simplicity of their expressions when they voice their desires and views is what gets me

alarmed; and I can almost predict their future…not dark, but dangerous, as I am a pawn of Indian growth

story myself and have witnessed it close as a decently frontal Business Development professional.



Also, there are cases where even those undergoing education appear disgruntled, because the road is not all

open and clear since they are aware that in spite of any education, the opportunities within a place like Bahir

Dar at least, will be limited. The long-long ques at passport offices and foreign consulates in Bahir Dar and

Addis Ababa are demonstrative of a majority of Ethiopians still finding hope in other countries and how many

times I have heard, even from children, that they would like a foreigner like us to find them a job and life

elsewhere.

This too, does not augur well for Ethiopia. In fact, the Ethiopian government is well aware of this fact and

hence I am optimistic in seeing policies overhaul on a track that is lot faster than before. Ethiopia is perhaps to

me, where I started my career in India, way back in 1991. Of course, Ethiopia is Ethiopia and will do well to be

simply a developed country where its people will want to live, work and be like everybody else in the developed

world; personally I would feel happy if it retains the good and wisdom of its historic past of King Solomon, the

wisest among the wise and Queen Sheba, whose beauty and intellect too is more than folklore across the world.

These too, were the names I came to Ethiopia with from old school text-books or was it story books? I do not

remember.

4.1 The Bahir Dar Universities and Polytechnics

The Ethiopian government has given immense impetus to education. Every year, there is reportedly marked

growth in number of people opting for higher/college education and much of it is either free or adequately

subsidized by government. There are qualification guidelines at Bahir Dar University; but those who fail to

make it, have options of other polytechnics and vocational schools.

Now this is a small town of limited resources and even with present infrastructure, the quality of teaching can

improve exponentially through some extra care and planning activity from University/college administration;

the only lacuna perhaps being lack of coordination within the educational institutions. Enhanced cooperation

from Ethiopian industry and businesses by way of recruitments, sponsorships, events, etc. and cooperation

amongst the various college administrations and government with industry and business houses at large will

surely help.

The salient points of the MISSION of Bahir Dar University itself in reference to the Institute of Technology are

summarized as follows from their websites:

1. To educate prospective graduates, provide knowledge and develop skills in planning, engineering and manufacturing for industry and commerce

2. To conduct technology based applied research, etc. based on priorities that reflect the needs of the national and regional economies

3. To create an environment that is conducive to the cultivation of social skills and entrepreneurship amongst students and staff.

4. To serve as a model for other educational institutions within the country and provide them with necessary technological education and advance training


5. To cooperate closely with private enterprises in developing local and national technological knowhow.

The above arises out of certain OBJECTIVES specific to the Institute of Technology, of which the one I note

with special interest is as follows:

“The transformation process is planned and organized so that the Ethiopian staff gradually takes over duties

and responsibility in academic and management positions. After finalization of the transformation process, the

IOT has to be an organization completely run by national staff members”.

To me it appears that the above Objective defines not the intentions, but what the government’s Department of

Education may have added as a word of comfort for Ethiopian faculty and administration. All the same, this

can at any time, potentially act as a safety net for its University administration to bank on, to operate on, to

survive on; because as one who has been part of many collaboration, Joint Venture and partnership

agreements through course of India’s privatization saga since 1991 and through my entrepreneurship in last 5

years or so, the differentiation and separation of EXPERTISE itself has always taken dangerous proportions

later on, in terms of Corporate Ventures in Transfer-of-Technology scenarios, if not Education directly!

It is by virtue of such clauses, I in my direct experience have seen any or all of the following:

a) Distrust between foreign and local collaborator b) Making it naturally acceptable that Foreign collaborator does not impart its know-how in full or in

complete honesty and trueness, though nobody will actually say so c) Either side gets encouraged to place not the most knowledgeable and ‘right for the job’ people on the

job, but those who will tow the line of the central management and can make good justifications for shortcomings and lacunas in transfer of technology

d) The quality of trainers is always under doubt; alternatively the quality of the actual direct recipients of the knowhow is doubtful.

e) TRUST is a limited word. In Ethiopia with its predominance of ‘thamari’ and staff lying in poorer section of society too, who is put ahead in the que will need some fantastic monitoring and qualification systems. In India too we have none, but Indian are inherently questioning everything, which is NOT the case in Ethiopia – or at least Bahir Dar, as I am getting to know it.

And in Ethiopia it is not the governance, nor the models that government is taking from overseas expertise; it

is the background and inherent systems followed by its Administration at University and Corporates that will

govern the way that actual technology absorption, dissemination and above all…..its UTILITY will find value.

As in India, I can see large number of women taking to education and impetus being given by government too.

What seems to be acutely lacking is the following:

i. Who counsels the potential college aspirants? ii. What is the quality of schooling and system that trains the college aspirants for qualifying for the

prospective graduates in MISSION No. 1 above? iii. Generally we see strong family values, but as in Bahir Dar, the freedom to teenagers is almost

western and not as traditional as we have in less developed sections in India. Who are the people or qualified agencies within school systems which follow and correct the behavior and learning patterns of the youth.



iv. What is criteria and quality of systems at college entry level which decide who can be admitted to University and who cannot.

v. What are the options for those who do not make it to the Universities and colleges? vi. It would be interesting to know general provisions from the government to monitor the quality and

performance of Vocational and Polytechnic colleges. In India, it is these colleges which have produced the best of skilled manpower in India and we have witnessed them growing in every city, town and village across the country at an encouraging rate, along with quality of education. But it must be understood that even until 10-15 years ago the same vocational colleges did not enjoy the same status and importance that is given to them now.

It is in these last two points of the above, I personally see great potential in developing the core manpower that

should power Ethiopia’s growth in years to come; and also areas where I temporarily at least, see potential

lacunas and areas of improvement.

The underlying aspect of my observations is that it is the desire to learn, grow and progress to improvements

in our lifestyles and getting rich which should be the process for Ethiopia’s youth and not “to get rich like the

foreigners” which struck me initially when I came to Ethiopia and Bahir Dar. Of course, there are ample

opportunities on streets to notice the desire to ‘grow through the foreigners’, bypassing the learning process

altogether; or so I presume….now! I do hope I will get to see it changed in not too distant future.

4.2 My Observations on “Learning” at Bahir Dar schools and colleges

I am presently a (temporary) faculty at Ethiopian Maritime Training Institute (EMTI). Since I started around

September 2012, I have been the only faculty at EMTI to own a library card, to have declared that I am

actually an entrepreneur and to express that I am not a born or trained teacher, but can surely share my

experience and knowledge as a Maritime Professional, a Engineering-cum-Management and Business

Development professional, to best of my ability and yes, I do have much experience too!

By virtue of such a background, I took time to take my Naval Architecture and other classes; most of which was

quite elementary for me, since it only touches most topics where length of course itself is only 6 months. Being

a consultant, I am fortunate to be in touch with basics of technology and engineering at all times and have also

worked extensively in USA as a Naval Architect and Shipbuilding professional. Oh yes, they call me ‘hafis’ and

‘goves’ which means I am smart and intelligent too, is how they have received me wherever I go and I am so

fortunate to have many local friends here.

In my professional life too, I have directly or indirectly taken roles where central corporate strategy had my

direct or indirect inputs at critical junctures of ‘change’ in particular; obviously, anybody at age 50+ who has

been head of business development of global multinationals, CEO and Business Head would have passed

through this phase. I am not saying I was anything more special. All I am saying is, that it gives me a sense of

good observation, analytical skills and as I am a person, doomed to my fate, through my noticeably dynamic

and enthusiastic personality, which is more a bane than a boon!


It’s a bane if you want a man for your SYSTEM. It is a boon if you want a man who can constantly UPLIFT

your system in its spirit and essence; adhering to what we call ‘best international practice and principles’.

Truly, Foreign Experts per se are supposed to be just that….the BOON part! Anybody can be part of your

system and not see your systems from a 3rd eye, which is necessary to notice vis-à-vis areas of improvements,

make strategy for improvement and for the SYSTEM itself to come together in actual execution of making that

improvement! I do not know what most managers mean by saying that ‘we should work within the system’.

No, I’ll tell you here what they mean by working “within the system”. They mean any or all the following:

1. Let things run without causing disturbance 2. If there is a disturbance we need to take actions 3. If we have to take action, we need to make decisions everyday 4. We are incapable of making decisions because they will ‘rock the boat somewhere’ and we are not

prepared for that

The shelves in BDU social sciences library may be lined with education philosophy and methodologies and

research. Question is who reads them to adapt to actual policy. Perhaps I am wrong, but I have myself been on

a panel of Indian Institute of Technology, for a Hydropower stream where so much of research in undertaken

and utilized by them in commercial projects too. During my career & Consultancy phase I have actual case

opportunities to believe that Institution STUDY & RESEARCH was never incorporated in Reality to actual

functioning of organizations beyond some “Minutes of Meetings”. Majority of the world functions within the

system of a JOB; although the 9am to 5pm rule is finished in both the developed and developing world!

That’s where the Private Sector role comes in; to maintain closer ties with institutions of research and training

and utilizing talent effectively.



5.0 Education in Ethiopia : Comparison, India Growth Story

Being at the Maritime Institute associated with the University of Bahir Dar, I have only very recently and

briefly had opportunity to visit the Bahir Dar University Polytechnic and Construction Technology Polytechnic

(Vocational Training, supposedly at par with ITI in India) and also opportunity to meet students and faculty at

Bahir Dar informally.

The vocational training is what grooms the skilled or semi-skilled manpower in a country for dedicated trades

and also builds mainstream JOB opportunities for the MASSES, who do not wish to, or have means to go

through the ‘whole nine yards’ of formal engineering and sciences.

In later stages after I have completed this paper, I would be keen to understand whether strong measurement

systems to gauge the success of Polytechnics and Vocational institutes exist; since that would be key to Fast-

Track improvements. I have actually met faculty and even students of high potential and caliber. Although

admittedly, the association has been brief but I have had opportunity to see the facilities and made familiar

with the wide range of trade disciplines it covers. They are both relevant and decently equipped at par maybe

to a decent government regional training institute in India.

If I was to carry out a SWOT, the STRENGTHS will be:

1. A diligent umbrella intent and desire of Government of Ethiopia to encourage and advance their agenda of “Education for All”.

2. Respect for overseas expertise and readiness to spend in bringing best possible faculty from around the world to Ethiopia

3. The desire of significant and increasing percentage of youth to go for college education 4. Entrepreneurial minds are evident from Bahir Dar’s majority of businesses are being run by young

people; most of whom I find adequately educated 5. Research and focus on the much-needed areas of Agriculture, Irrigation, Water Resources, Food,

Land development and Environmental sciences is evident from BDU itself. 6. Engineers of knowledge and intellect at par with the best in the world have graduated from these

Polytechnics and Universities. 7. The government, to enable the poorer sections of society, adequately subsidizes education.

Although I am no authority to comment on WEAKNESSES, I can voice my views on POSSIBLE

WEAKNESSES, which have at least been discussed informally during my interaction with local people here at

Bahir Dar:

1. There is a possibility of Overseas Educational fraternity to compare Ethiopia with other African countries; in their perpetual quest to “standardize” and “generalize”!! I view of this, it may not strike many that Ethiopian poor and less privileged possess good wisdom and potential, possibly at


par or better than their counterparts in India; by virtue of the fact that ETHIOPIA is significantly less populated and it should be easy for Government to plan, channel and utilize them as effective Human Resources for skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled manpower.

2. The efforts of Education Administration should recognize these facts in Planning for EFFECTIVE EDUCATION, without indulging in MANIPULATIVE EDUCATION; which is possible since Local Politics of favoritism and division has always, world-over, been known to intrude as unwritten laws within the less privileged ‘developing world’ in general (and I will not indulge in elaborating this further here).

3. By virtue of above, I have felt that the seriousness and intent of Government will take time (there HAS to be a time lag between intent and implementation) to motivate the University Administrations in keeping pace to develop students of caliber and at par with what Ethiopia and its growing foreign investment and stakeholders will want it to!

4. At BDU too, the proof of seriousness and focus seems missing as I fail to see the general “Buzz” which good Universities are known to associate as domains of youthful interaction, exchange of ideas and demonstration of Talent. The “Talent Finds”, the festivities of “inter-college competitions” in arts, music and other skill-sets that define youth of progressive countries are missing in totality. The formal ‘societies’ may exist in name and intent; but the administration does little to boost or nurture any!

5. In a country known for its athletes and even Football, the on-campus euphoria in such pursuits or events is greatly lacking.

6. We do see some seminars and conferences, but either they are too focused on near-research topics or cater to local ethos; the Universities and Polytechnics need more general participation that inculcates freedom of expression and speech.

The last of the above, I notice, is still an unwritten taboo; not because Ethiopia is like that, but perhaps

because the majority of students come from poorer sections of society and yes, the divisions and local culture

and belief inculcate Restraint, which is fine; except that it is the onus of University administration to

encourage and progressively bring change, even if it is felt pragmatic to bring it in controlled manner with a

certain degree of “kasbakas” that characterizes Ethiopian people in a way too!



6.0 The Enterprise-Education partnership

(Reference to Mission #5 of BDU) It has been seen that there always is a commercial, political or a pressurizing social STAKE, triggered by

certain issues to affect noticeable ‘change’ in University thinking and working.

In Ethiopia, it is the government’s focus and policy towards education. However so, I can see that this change is

comparatively recent. I can even be encouraged that the change will get impetus and improvements will

materialize at rapid pace too. What I can be concerned about in course of my limited understanding gained

hitherto is, that the change would not come without making some serious and fast track efforts to enhancing

commitment to education at ground level.

The Private and Public sector is the ONLY trigger that is non-biased, non-interfering, impartial

and in the long run, with potential for growth and revenue.

Questions

Q1: How does it happen?

Q2: Who makes it happen?

Q3: Who CONTROLS it?

6.1 Lessons/Comparisons with role of education to Indian Growth Story The Q3 is very important. But all the same, I will only shed light on actual instances and lessons from India’s

growth during the phase of its Privatization and Liberalisation since 1991.

The general process and flow chart can be represented as follows:

1. GOVERNEMENT CONSENSUS AND DECISION 2. GOVERNMENT POLICY RE-FORMULATION 3. LEGAL AND STATUTORY CHANGES AND OVERHAUL 4. CENTRAL BANK OR RESERVE BANK OF GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES ON CURRENCY

TRANSFER /SHAREHOLDING/ EXCHANGE 5. FINANCIAL SECTOR OVERHAUL 6. PRIVATIZATION POLICY 7. FOREIGN INVESTMENT POLICY 8. DEPARTMENTAL AND DIVISIONAL POLICIES IN GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC SEVTOR 9. PROJECT ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR PRIVATE PUBLIC PARTNERSHIP (PPP)/ PRIVATE

SECTOR 10. FOREIGN-LOCAL PARTERSHIPS AND STRUCTURING OF ESSENTIAL PROJECTS 11. TRANSFER OF TECHNOLOGY POLICY


12. RESTRUCTURING OF ESSENTIAL CENTRAL & STATE GOVERNEMENTS TO CATER TO NEW PROJECT STRUCTURES

13. PROJECT ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR PRIVATE SECTOR UNDER INTERNATIONAL BIDDING 14. LIBERALIZATION CONSOLIDATION OF SUB-POLICIES ON CRITICAL AND PRIORITY

AREAS LIKE INFRASTRUCTURE, ELECTRICITY, TRADE, INSURANCE & FINANCE

This has been the story or general process as I attended many seminars, conferences, brainstorming on policy

and the Electricity Act of India (overhauled in 2003 since 1937!). Until this decade many key and critical areas

(even the Legal framework) was never overhauled in India since the British created it! We found many lacunas

too late in the game that prevented growth.

Amongst these many things was Vocational & Specialized training to cater to development of skilled personnel

in India who will actually absorb this whole TRANSFER and REORIENTATION of Technology that was to

shape India. Whereas India prides itself for its educated and business leaders, the extent of mid-sized

businesses growing was so huge that by 2007 there was suddenly a HUGE VACCUM OF EXPERTISE and also

of DESIRE to work.

I. VACCUM of EXPERTISE

When I say vacuum of expertise, it also means the desires of expert people to work in ‘tough

environment’ and situations in country where “Kasbakas” (the very popular Amharic word for slow-

and-easy!) was the predominant culture of average Indian worker and manager!

Projects in India, which were earlier completed in 8 years prior to Liberalization/Privatization, just

a decade ago, now had to be completed in 3 years. Where government used 500 people, private

sector had to do it with 300 or less. Where salaries were pitiful at one-time, the private and public

sector had to upgrade salary structures by as much as 300% over 5 years!

Suddenly the average skilled worker was rich and moody. Projects were shifting from ‘vicinity of

metros’ to remote, hitherto inaccessible areas of India where culture, environment and very basics

of survival were unique and challenging.

This created once again a vacuum of DESIRED expertise; even when engineers were around and

many became jobless in recent years. Surprisingly there were too many smart and good who found

themselves jobless…..many such were dynamic enough to become entrepreneurs.

II. ‘DESIRE TO WORK’ Versus ‘Effectiveness in Contributing’ to National progress

Theoretically, behavioral sciences are always trying to solve this equation and I have leafed briefly

over many books on Ethiopia and its Education in libraries recently. But it is true too that in

present times of many choices, globally, it is the youngsters who are mostly left in doubt and

indecision; mainly about career choices. The only drawback that I find is that career counseling

lags far behind emerging career choices. The glamour of development comes in form of access to

television, cell phones, clothing & ornaments made cheap from China, India and Bangladesh; and

in the process with desire to possess these charming evils of modernizing young minds.



There are always jobs that will suit an individual’s training and capabilities and there will always

be the lure of jobs that will be the shortest route to possessing all that the youth nowadays desire.

In countries like India it is the graduates of vocational and computer training schools who are fast

becoming entrepreneurs too. The shorter periods of class study, larger possibilities for those with

drive and talent to make it big in the world, the flexibility of timings, etc. are the great advantages.

Those students who make it to engineering colleges and front line Universities through centrally

conducted examinations will be far few as compared to those who are left hanging for alternative

choices due to shortcomings in their study habits, intellectual leanings or even money and family

pressures.

The good thing about ‘Development’ as such is that it does give everyone an opportunity to dream

and then to follow his/her dreams. However so, most youngsters will end up with ‘wrong choices’,

out of lure of good money and good times; due to lack of counseling.

African and Latin American countries in particular can take a leaf out of India’s growth story and

its massive poor population, which is demonstrating more and more success stories. Only recently, I

am witness to a NDTV News story about a daughter of a “Rickshaw” puller who has topped the

national exam for Law in India and then most high school toppers for many years now have been

girls coming from modest upbringing. They all have one thing in common – relentless drive and

support of their immediate family.


7.0 Summary – my vision for Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

Here in Ethiopia, I find odd mix of very good family structures and pressure to take alternative choices

not entirely due to pragmatic planning or counseling, but what is readily possible. The most endearing

aspect of Bahir Dar is the simplicity of thought process and general acceptance of the people, which my

‘foreign counterparts’ might tend to refer to as ‘enjira culture’ (actually said in a fond way, no offence

meant here). In words of one of my own students at Maritime, “sir, we are tired of ‘enjira’ for breakfast,

lunch and dinner; so we would rather eat out…”. But then they are headed for a comparatively

lucrative career and are already training to adapt to the finer things of life and most importantly, they

are willing to spend money from their pockets for a change and something better. Yes, they have the

opportunity and can see a future too!

Here again, I am taking optimistic signals that given opportunity, it would not be too difficult to find a

vast and potential consumer base in Ethiopia - once development itself creates jobs and opportunities.

Of course, this would be luxury for the less privileged Ethiopians who make for the countries masses

and apparently, in my limited understanding look satisfied if they can earn their next day’s ‘enjira’. But

then I know I am wrong. Who can fully understand and appreciate pain and desires within anybody

less fortunate than we are, anywhere in the world? However so, I had like to keep my very personal and

fond understanding of Ethiopians from Bahir Dar, just like that; because it shall forever keep me in

awe of them for simplicity through which they display their emotions and aspirations!

I can only ratify such acceptance and simplicity to emerge from “wisdom at the source of Nile”. But

honestly, a professional in business of international marketing and business development, I must say,

that it does not augur well for Foreign Direct Investment, i.e., people from across the world who are

always wanting to ‘create consumers’. The ‘consumer’ definition is that they should want only ‘more’ and

‘better’.

So as Private Sector and multinationals, we will first have to ‘do our bit’ to empower the local masses to

higher deeds that make them worthy consumers for us to peddle our goods and services. Higher deeds

begin with diminishing their ignorance, than adding to the same with tricks we learnt in our path to

wealth and success in our countries! Remember, we had too many to deal with or too few (all of whom

were generally capable by virtue of our respective histories!). In India or even China, we may have been

incapable perhaps of making more than slow and acceptable changes to personal development of the

masse, as in rural India particularly, where major part of my career in India was devoted to. In these

countries, the population itself was a challenge.

In Ethiopia, we have NO CHOICE but to optimize manpower utility and effectiveness. The diversity

within Ethiopia too and the vast diversity of terrain and cultures too will need more understanding. But

having studied different but similar countries quite intensely now in recent years as a consultant and

international professional in Power & Infrastructure, I am willing to lay my bets on Ethiopia as place to



do business or service vis-à-vis other countries despite the fact that Ethiopia is devoid of any significant

lure of oil, minerals and coal, by virtue of which other African countries have been in greater demand by

overseas players. I will lay my bet on Ethiopian people – meaning its Human Resources and hence, on

Ethiopia’s development through education – effective education!

Our Indian entrepreneur minds are fast changing and the Ethiopian youth too are finding it hard to

keep away from the lure of advanced mobile telephony and internet as path to social networking and

‘social status’ just the way it was in India just ten to fifteen years ago.

As such, it would not be wrong to infer that in developing countries, there is a kind of “social skew”

which is emerging out of career choices that the young people are having to make as their governments

take new challenges to enhance infrastructure to make the same people (their country) progressive, self

sustaining and at par with the rapidly changing world, which has been brought right inside everybody’s

home through cable television, mobile telephony, internet and combination of the many ‘G’s” (2G, 3G,

etc.).

The challenge has to be surmounted by transposing and channeling the ‘desire to possess’ within the

youth to ‘desire to work’ and contribute to growth, failing which, uncertain young minds can become

source of undesirable social skew, especially in Ethiopia where the population is so far lower than the

countries that I am making comparisons to.

7.1 Applications to growth of Infrastructure around Tana Lake

This unusual dynamics is peculiar to INFRASTRUCTURE sector and earlier that the governments, the

social and educational organizations find solutions of channeling the future of Ethiopia through

positive and effective development of its youth, find careers that are a good fit to individual capabilities,

faster will the dreams of Ethiopia and its think-tanks take shape.

India too, in spite its dynamic educational agenda and fact that Indians are known for their

‘Education’, had been slow in upgrading its Vocational & Specialized training programs in critical

areas; but the ‘numbers’ in India somehow make it all look good on the surface and it the HR people in

mainly Infrastructure related large organizations who will tell you the bitter truth. This of course, has

been put on fast track and India will hopefully succeed in fine tuning the mind-sets to take emerging

socio-economic challenges, over and above the technical side of their qualification (which was never in

question anyway). Education has undoubtedly been responsible for keeping India at the top of the list

despite negatives.

It is no secret now, that it has been the multitudes of B and C grade management & technology

institutes which have given a sense of belonging, a possibility for success and fulfillment of dreams and

symbols of Hope for the less privileged youth of India. Also, despite their ‘dubious’ characteristics,

licensing & validation issues, they have made phenomenal revenue and most of them are now more

popular and wanted by both students in India and Private Sector employers than the mainstream

universities and Polytechnics.


I am also becoming more and more certain that it is these colleges spread across its geographical

spread and diversity, which will augur well for Ethiopia, given more focus and impetus. This would in

turn, be excellent opportunity for our very own Indian experience to find ready application in education

and practice as business community takes to Ethiopia in a larger way.

Here again, as I have said, the Ethiopian government and especially the education ministries and

administrations will have to make better and open-door policies that recognize, encourage and make it

possible for overseas educational intellect, think-tanks and institutes to ADAPT themselves, fully

understanding Ethiopia’s specific needs. It will not be enough to bring ready-made courses and models

that worked in India and other countries either; for education always tends to get ‘perfunctory’ at some

stage if dynamic change and adaptation are not in sync with key objectives of growth of a country.

Many Indian Universities had realized this while brainstorming in adapting American and English

education models. I have one such experience close to my own home when admitting my daughter to

Vellore Institute of Technology, one of India’s premier engineering colleges. The hitherto popular

stream of MECHANICAL ENGINEERING and CHEMICAL ENGINEERING were determined to be

redundant for present times and future. In college orientation program, we were explained the reasons

why creating just engineers of mechanics was not sufficient in times when electronics, computers,

advancements in material sciences, alternative energy, etc. were making stronger and stronger

interfaces with ‘simple’ mechanics of machines. Also just studying general chemical sciences is not

producing engineers who will never be doing chemical analysis, but adapting the science to actual

utility of materials in fast growing industries.

As such many Indian engineering colleges have attached a ‘specialization’ course to Mechanical

Engineering per se. While my daughter opted for “Mechanical Engineering with Chemical Process

Engineering”, others could opt for specialization in Energy (meaning Petroleum, coal and other fossil

resources) or Renewable Energy (with coming of age of Geothermal, Solar, Wind and alternative energy

with Hybrids of different energy sources).

Presently as faculty for Ethiopian Maritime Training Institute (EMTI), Public Private Partnership

venture with Ethiopian government, my students are Mechanical Engineers being groomed for

becoming Engineering Officers on foreign going merchant ships on high seas. This again is a kind of

specialized training.

Even so, the training for ships and navy in a country that has no shoreline and ports of its own, will

have to adapt itself sooner or later to realities of a volatile international shipping and trade business.

The vision of making finest Maritime professionals in Africa can give Ethiopian marine engineers a

lead over other African nations in finding jobs across the world. It definitely gives a sense of pride to

many young mechanical engineers with aspirations to go on international trades.

All the same, Ethiopia’s vast water resources like lakes and rivers are still untapped. India actually

lost in a big way by neglecting its water resources as sources of clean water, transportation of goods

and even healthy hospitality and recreation essential for tourism. The pollution of waterways and

redundancy as such, is the most ugly feature of an otherwise potential economic superpower. The

saintly Ganges and the Yamuna rivers and many lakes and reservoirs are polluted and unsolicited

diversions have reduced them to mere ‘nullahs’ and ‘drains’ for most part.



One of the most attractive features of Ethiopia is its biodiversity, vast natural resources and fact that it

is not a densely populated country. Yes, it is still largely clean. But come ‘development’ and if

regulation is ineffective, it might just follow India for the wrong reasons.

The Maritime upheaval will do well too, to carry government policy to greater impetus and focus and

developing the lakes like Bahir Dar’s very own Tana Lake and the Nile as potential revenue generating

natural resources. There are huge possibilities in tourism too by making Marinas with modern boats,

yachts and excursion vessels; along with restaurants hotels, etc. Dredgers, passenger vessels, small

barges for transporting goods and controlled fishing and marine-culture will add to optimizing utility,

besides small hydropower – a program that is still on backburner as far as Private enterprise is

concerned.

In the end, all of these have this huge potential for lucrative careers to these prospective graduates

from technical and vocational institutes, as also in other social and environmental streams to shape

pragmatic policy framework.

Even as Ethiopia is still providing electricity to just 11% of its population, renewable energy is largely

considered as too expensive to invest for its high capital costs and low government regulated tariffs. So

far, as a consultant I have seen little interest. Here too, Ethiopia can utilize experts and professionals

(like us!) to give its policy pragmatic and acceptable solutions, which will encourage private enterprise.

India today is the fourth largest in the world in terms of its Wind Energy installations and has

managed decently in department of hydropower and solar, although I have already given a hint on

state of its water-resources; it was age-old government neglect by virtue of which the private sector is

not too happy on the viability angle, especially in view of Climate Change denting revenue on their

investments, in spite of all the ‘benefits’ of carbon trading, et al. When our natural resources are

intentionally and humanly deteriorated or neglected, the children and future pays the price.

And so I can come back to the songs, the music and all the soft things that do not seem to, but in the

end have huge potential to trigger change. “We are the world” could revitalize Ethiopia once and we

need “social technologists” to formulate ideas that utilize vast research undertaken in University

campuses where needed. Research itself cannot be perfunctory and I am having good faith in Ethiopian

talent for technology and trades that should build desired infrastructure for every needed trade as

discussed above and more.

Bahir Dar, as I think, needs some effervescence, an added buoyancy of sorts to pull it to the next phase

of dynamic enterprise and utility. However so, I will personally need more qualification to suggest

anything at all; and so, my vision for Bahir Dar can only come as a wish list, as its goodwill ambassador

of sorts.

Some of the things I would like to say or advise for sake of business men/women, investors and overseas

professionals vis-à-vis government policies too in certain cases would be:


1. If Addis Ababa is the doorway to Ethiopia and as the capital city, the place where all the action and

business opportunities lie, Bahir Dar is the doorway to a progressive Ethiopia and Lake Tana offers you

a welcome drink as transit point to the Blue Nile, which makes its long journey to Egypt via Sudan.

2. Ethiopia may not have abundance of coal, oils and minerals that are attracting most fortune hunters

across shores; but it is an untapped gigantic pool of excellent human resources & ICT activities,

abundant water resources, 24X7 of sunshine & winds, a consumer base waiting to be ‘empowered’

through jobs and actually a doorway to Central & eastern Africa conjoining with the middle east – as

such, an excellent location for setting up business.

3. At core of developing the region around lake Tana will be the education sector and there must be

government encouragement in building PPP ventures with Universities and colleges to upgrade

education standards and channeling effective Human Resource pools with college-private

partnerships/synergies.

4. University colleges, expert faculty in any given area and special talents at college level must be

identified and in case of Technology institutes a wider Consultancy pool must be created to boost

government planning & policy for critical infrastructure projects (as in India and other countries) and

they can also advise overseas or private sector businesses.

5. Talent recognition and development in extra and co-curricular activities like music, dance, drama,

public speaking, etc. and sports appears to be greatly lacking. This would be generally responsible for

lack of interest in students and adds to de-motivation and undesired diversions amongst youth. I make

a strong recommendation to Bahir Dar Universities and my support too in expanding this idea.

6. Bahir Dar should host more national and international business events, exhibitions and seminars; at

least a few on larger international scale. Even management by itself creates many jobs for even

students and unemployed, as we have seen in India.

7. Bahir Dar has huge potential for hospitality sector, subject to its tourism capabilities being boosted by

the government and its local entrepreneurs even for small investments in enlarging the whole idea of

restaurants, hotels and cafes to cater to international tourists; not just in Bahir but also around the

small townships around lake Tana.

8. Both men and women have potential for jobs and to become a fast growing consumer pool in the

Amhara region, should the government and small-medium investor pool create vibrant synergies

though creation of active Chambers of Commerce looking at key areas and locations to start with.

Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce needs to take an umbrella role in channeling a central idea through

smaller entities including NGOs, business forums, businesses which promote cultural and social events

– all these only need ‘energy spots’ in form of initiative from some key business players.

9. The whole issue of funding has to grow from grass-roots of micro-finance. So government must

encourage foreign investment in micro-finance through streamlining of its policies.

10. Along with finance and micro-finance, both overseas and local business & professional people need

vehicles to travel at reasonable prices. We need more structured agencies and privatization of vehicle

sales and growth of local auto-assembly industry.

11. Vehicle registration must have stringent insurance provisions to encourage growth of automobile sector

and automobile repair and maintenance will need serious up-gradation in and around Bahir dar to

effect this growth primarily. Chicken before egg or ‘kasbakas’ situations in growth patterns should be

identified and lacunas removed progressively.

12. Small & medium multipurpose water, irrigation & hydropower projects are key to development of local

enterprise, not just a focus on the very large and mega dam based hydropower projects at the moment.

I would propose cluster development of such multipurpose projects in areas around Lake Tana; each



cluster being assigned to a group of local entrepreneurs who can make collaborations and Joint

Ventures with overseas experts / companies.

13. Encouraging use of solar energy, wind power and other new and alternative energy; as also all possible

means for energy optimization and recovery.

I hope Bahir Dar and its Universities, Polytechnics and colleges along with its business community and

enterprise find favor with international investors, developers, intellectuals and governments; and that this

paper can be a guide at least to my immediate colleagues, associates, employers, potential clients/employers,

etc. in understanding me, my own efforts, idea and vision as a entrepreneur of sorts myself.

Certainly, it has given me a chance to find myself in away and I can hope to find a role in development of this

wonderful city and Ethiopia as a country I am getting to like more and more each day.

Thank you,

Yogesh Bahadur

- Naval Architect & Marine Engineer, Faculty at EMTI, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

- Business Entrepreneur - Director, Pentacle Energy & Infra Projects

- Infrastructure and Energy Consultant

Email: [email protected]

Profile: www.linkedin.com/in/yogeshpentacle

Facebook: YogiNFriends

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