Sofoniyas Tesfaye Weldesenbet

Sofoniyas Weldesenbet is a youth empowerment leader and social innovator from Ethiopia who is passionate about using education, technology, and entrepreneurship to unlock opportunities for the next generation. Growing up in Shashemene and later earning a degree in Information Technology from the University of Gondar, he developed resilience and leadership at an early age. He went on to complete a Master’s degree in Project Management, equipping him to design and lead complex initiatives that combine innovation with social impact.

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His leadership spans both local and global platforms. He has participated in fellowships such as the Mandela Washington Fellowship, the UNLEASH Innovation Lab, and the KECTIL Leadership Program, and has served in advisory roles with Theirworld and the AU-EU Youth Action Lab. These experiences have enabled him to work alongside diverse leaders and design solutions at the intersection of technology, civic engagement, and youth empowerment. Locally, he co-developed the Youth-to-Youth initiative and the Selamawi Peace Center at Addis Ababa University, programs that connect thousands of young people through education, arts-based peacebuilding, and innovation. Globally, he has contributed as a curator with Shared Studios and the Museum for the United Nations, creating spaces for educational and cultural exchange across continents.

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Currently, Sofoniyas serves as CEO of the U.S. Exchange Alumni Association of Ethiopia, one of the country’s largest young professional networks with over 6,000 members. Under his leadership, the association has launched mentorship programs, mobilized youth leadership initiatives, and delivered capacity-building efforts that reach thousands of students and professionals annually.

 

A certified Master Entrepreneurship and Soft Skills Trainer, Sofoniyas integrates design thinking and innovation into his work with InnovateAfrika, where he develops hands-on learning programs for children and supports schools to establish innovation centers. His projects emphasize human-centered design as a tool for young people to solve complex social and environmental challenges.

 

Sofoniyas’s leadership has been recognized internationally, including at the UNLEASH Innovation Lab, where his team won $20,000 to expand youth empowerment projects, and through the Paul Harris Fellow Award from Rotary International. Guided by his Anglican faith, he leads with empathy, inclusivity, and a strong belief in servant leadership.

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For his Mountaintop Fellowship, Sofoniyas is advancing a project that equips Ethiopian university freshmen with leadership skills, digital literacy, and entrepreneurial training. By applying design thinking frameworks and connecting students to mentorship, internships, and startup opportunities, his initiative seeks to nurture a generation of socially conscious leaders driving green jobs, technological solutions, and sustainable development in Ethiopia.