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Mohammed Ahmed (businessman)

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Mohammed Ahmed
BornJuly 1932 (age 91–92)
Harar, Ethiopia
DiedNovember 26, 2024
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
NationalityEthiopian
Alma materSaint Louis University
(Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics)
Stanford University
(Executive education)
OccupationCorporate Executive
Known forProfessional competence
TitleChief executive officer at Ethiopian Airlines Group

Captain Mohammed Ahmed was an Ethiopian air travel industry veteran.[1][2] He was the CEO of Ethiopian Airlines from 1980 to 1991 and later served as the secretary general of the African Airlines Association.[3][4]

Background and education

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Mohammed Ahmed was born to a Harari family in July of 1932.[5][6] In his early career, Mohammed had a brief stint with the Ethiopian Air Force.[7] He held a Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical engineering, obtained from Saint Louis University and an Executive Program certificate at Stanford University in the United States.[8]

Career at Ethiopian Airlines

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Mohammed Ahmed began his career as chief aeronautical engineer at Ethiopian Airlines in the 1960s, playing a foundational role in the airline’s early development.[9] In 1980, he became CEO, known for boldly countering the policies of Ethiopia’s communist Derg regime, thereby preserving the airline’s independence from government influence.[10] Prior to his appointment, Ethiopian Airlines faced operational difficulties that were exacerbated by the Ethiopian Civil War. Mohammed swiftly stabilized the airline, guiding it through challenging times.[11] Quality had declined since the 1970s due to overstaffing and political interference, Mohammed addressed this by reducing the workforce by 10%.[12] During the Cold War, the Ethiopian government proposed replacing American-manufactured planes with Soviet models to align with the USSR, but Ethiopian Airlines, under Mohammed’s leadership, successfully resisted this change.[13][14] By 1989, the airline had entered a period of prosperity, attributed largely to his leadership.[15]

According to American writer Paul B. Henze, who met Mohammed Ahmed in 1990 at Ethiopian Airlines headquarters in Addis Ababa, he described him as among the top entrepreneurs in the developing world, who also remained loyal to his homeland of Harar.[9] Mohammed would go on to serve as the secretary general of the African Airlines Association in 1992.[10]

Awards & accolades

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Mohammed was presented with the African aviation award for his contribution to the advancement of Africa's airlines business in 1999.[16]

Death

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Mohammed Ahmed died in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on November 26, 2024, and was laid to rest at Kolfe Muslim Cemetery. His funeral was attended by prominent individuals, including Mesin Bekele, the current CEO of Ethiopian Airlines.[17]

References

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  1. ^ Guttery, Ben (January 1998). Encyclopedia of African Airlines. Mcfarland. p. 65. ISBN 978-0-7864-0495-7.
  2. ^ Mols, Jozef (20 June 2022). Ethiopian Airlines The African Aviation Powerhouse. Key Publishing. ISBN 978-1-80282-152-9.
  3. ^ Ross, Jay. "Ethiopian Airline Prospers While Defying African Stereotypes". The Washington Post.
  4. ^ The Globalisation of the Civil Aviation Industry and its Impact on Aviation Workers (PDF). International Transport Forum. p. 15.
  5. ^ Mohammed Ahmed. British government website.
  6. ^ Khalil, Abdi. Lest we forget, Harari heroes. ihmshararimedia.
  7. ^ May, Clifford. "ETHIOPIA'S CAPITALIST AIRLINE". The New York Times.
  8. ^ Mohammed Ahmed. EAL Archives.
  9. ^ a b Henze, Paul (2007). Ethiopia in Mengistu's Final Years: Until the last bullet. Shama Books. p. 79. ISBN 978-99944-0-024-9.
  10. ^ a b Cameron, Douglas. Under the hammer: Nigeria Airways and Kenya Airways are leading African carriers in their search for private equity injections. DVV Media International Ltd.
  11. ^ Ethiopian Airlines. Encyclopedia Aethiopica.
  12. ^ G/egziabher, Selamawit. Why Ethiopian Airlines Becomes Successful and What are the Lessons for other Public Companies? (PDF). Addis Ababa University. p. 16. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-11-26.
  13. ^ Limam, Zyad. The Ethiopian Airlines enigma. afrique magazine.
  14. ^ Metaferia, Getachew (2009). Ethiopia and the United States History, Diplomacy, and Analysis. Algora Pub. p. 58. ISBN 978-0-87586-647-5.
  15. ^ The Weekly Review. Stellascope Limited. 1989. p. 26.
  16. ^ AFRICAN AVIATION AWARDS. African Aviation Services Limited.
  17. ^ In Memory of Captain Mohamed Ahmed: The Leader Who Took Ethiopian Airlines to New Heights. Addis Insight.
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