Hailemariam Desalegn

Hailemariam Desalegn is an Ethiopian politician who served as Prime Minister of Ethiopia from August 2012 to April 2018. He was elected as chairperson of the African Union from 2013 to 2014. Prior to becoming Prime Minister, he held various positions including Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Social Affairs. He also served as Governor of the Southern Regional State for a total of six years.

Desalegn holds two master’s degrees, one in water and environmental engineering from the Tampere University of Technology in Finland and another in organisational leadership from Azusa Pacific University in California. He has worked in academia, including as Dean of the Water Technology Institute of Ethiopia.

After retirement, Dessalegn co-founded with his wife the Hailemariam & Roman Foundation, which supports maternal and child health, nutrition, biodiversity conservation, climate smart agriculture and more. Additionally, he is a board member and Chairperson for many local and international organizations including AGRA, Trade Mark Africa TMA, HRF, African Parks Network APN, The Brenthurst Foundation and the Global Steering Committee for the Campaign for Nature.