Zerihun Sheleme

Zerihun Sheleme Erensa is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Awach Savings and Credit Cooperative Society Ltd., Ethiopia’s leading SACCO, which he has successfully grown since 2011 to serve over 160,000 members through 30 branches. With a background in social work and community development, he previously worked with Arat Killo Child Care and Community Development (AKCCCD), advancing microenterprise and financial literacy initiatives. Zerihun holds an MBA from Jimma University and a BA in Management from Admas University. His leadership is defined by innovation, ethical governance, and community empowerment, earning recognition from the Ethiopian Cooperative Commission and the House of Commons, Canada. A respected voice in global cooperative platforms, he continues to champion financial inclusion and sustainable development in Ethiopia.