Gobena Merga My name is Gobena Merga, and I am an Ethiopian-American electronics engineer and entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in PCB layout design, electronic product development, and medical equipment distribution. I was born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and later pursued my higher education and professional career in the United States. Over the years, I’ve grown passionate about bridging technological gaps between the Ethiopian diaspora and our home country by empowering youth, improving local innovation capacity, and fostering long-term development through technology and knowledge transfer. I am the founder of Addis Tech Group, a technology innovation company based in Ethiopia. We aim to empower Ethiopian engineers and students by building locally designed, locally supported hardware and software solutions. We’ve already designed and manufactured a product called Addis Nano — a locally produced Arduino Nano clone — that is now available for educational and embedded applications. In addition to hardware, we are building Aquamada, a homegrown CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System) aimed at improving asset management, maintenance tracking, and service performance for healthcare and industrial institutions. Aqumada reflects our deep belief in stewardship, preservation, and integrity, both in its name and its function. I also serve as Technical Adviser and International Relations Officer for HBL Medical PLC, an Ethiopian company that imports, distributes, and services medical equipment from global manufacturers, including Topcon Healthcare, Dr. Mach, Natus, and others. Our work focuses on not just sales but also capacity building, training biomedical engineers, and ensuring that preventive maintenance is embedded into hospital operations. HBL PLC is a continuation of a family legacy — my father, Merga Serbessa, began importing medical equipment to Ethiopia in the 1970s, and I’m honored to continue building on that foundation. My journey has taught me that while there is immense potential in Ethiopia, there are also systemic barriers — especially in customs regulations (Gumruk), import restrictions, and the lack of funding and technical training. Many brilliant young engineers are blocked from innovating because they cannot afford development boards, cannot import PCBs they design themselves, or lack the mentorship to bring their ideas to market. That is why one of my biggest needs is collaboration and support from the diaspora, especially in the following areas: Funding and Sponsorship for manufacturing and scaling Addis Nano, Aqumada, and other upcoming products. Mentorship and Knowledge Exchange between diaspora professionals and local talent. Access to affordable component supply chains and support in clearing innovation-related imports through Ethiopian customs. Partnerships with universities, STEM initiatives, and NGOs willing to integrate local solutions like Addis Nano into their programs. Policy advocacy to support innovation-friendly reforms in Ethiopia — such as tax breaks, R&D incentives, and import waivers for locally designed technology. As someone who splits time between the U.S. and Ethiopia and has worked extensively with startup founders and government officials, I understand the value of diaspora networks and how they can catalyze meaningful change. I believe DiasporaEngager can play a critical role in helping identify shared goals, connect with like-minded partners, and create an impact that outlives our generation. My long-term vision is to establish Ethiopia as a hub of technological innovation, not just consumption. I envision a future where young innovators can bring their hardware and software ideas to life within Ethiopia, supported by diaspora professionals, manufacturers, and global partners. I am committed to this cause and open to collaborations, mentoring, speaking engagements, or contributing to advisory boards that support innovation, STEM education, or economic reform. Thank you for this opportunity. I look forward to engaging with fellow members and working toward a stronger, smarter, and more connected Ethiopia.