Sunday December 31, 2023 was one of my happiest days witnessing the fruits of what Dan Energy has been doing the last three months. Closing out the year 2023 with the sight of truly motivated, committed, and confident young future Ethiopian innovators was a wonderful thing, offering hope for Ethiopia’s future.

I was invited to attend the Dan Eaglets Transition & Tech Expo (DETTEX) program, a youth empowerment showcase and awarding event. I had the opportunity to observe the works of graduate students, alongside high-ranking officials, and tour the tech park while witnessing the confident presentations of these young boys and girls.

Approximately 360 graduate students participated, showcasing expertise in various domains such as coding, artwork, handwork, graphics designing, and soft skills.

I witnessed the future coders, programmers, and innovators who are poised to pursue their passion for technology further. I confidently say that Ethiopia is in good hands.

During the event, I had the chance to meet with both high-ranking government and private officials, exchanging ideas on Dan Energy’s recent initiatives and discussing future endeavors.

It was a privilege and an honor to meet His Excellency Ambassador and Minister, Foreign Policy Advisor Mr. Taye Atske-Selassie. We engaged in a fruitful discussion on various issues within a short period.

In his final keynote address, Ambassador Atske-Selassie emphasized the significance and challenges of Dan Energy’s substantial work. He stressed the need for resilience, acknowledging that such endeavors may encounter failures along the way.

The Ambassador began his keynote by highlighting the importance of starting small and achieving big, drawing a parallel to Thomas Edison’s electron bulb idea creation in New Jersey. He commended the abundance of significant ideas in the room, noting that it presents a substantial challenge for those of older generations but serves as a foundation for the future success and development of the younger students.

Acknowledging the commitment of today’s graduates and young participants, the Ambassador expressed gratitude and congratulations. He specifically thanked Mr. Daniel, his family, and the entire staff for their dedication. He marveled at how a company like Dan Energy, without significant government backing or financial assets from large foundations or multilateral corporations, could undertake such impactful work.

The Ambassador recognized the challenge presented by Dan Energy’s multidimensional work and ideas, challenging conventional expectations of simplicity. He praised the company for demonstrating the feasibility of implementing not just one but several ideas simultaneously, achieving positive results for the good of the country.

Concluding his keynote, the Ambassador urged everyone to continue the good work, emphasizing that they are not only catering to local demands but also international needs. Drawing from his experience visiting Silicon Valley, he encouraged the sharing of visions with those abroad until the bureaucratic challenges in Ethiopia are overcome.

Despite acknowledging the challenges, bureaucracy, and the necessary efforts for success, the Ambassador left the audience with a final motivating message: “Try again, fail again, fail better, and then you will succeed. Never be afraid of failure, as it is a crucial step towards success. No one is born with a silver spoon in their mouth, and success is achieved through hard work and resilience. Embrace failure in good faith; it is an integral part of the Ethiopian life story. Never succumb to failure; hold onto your dreams and strive for success!”