Lensa (Aida) Mekonnen

Strategic Leader in Tourism, Land Development & Economic Growth

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Live Event: $10,000 - $20,000 Virtual Event: $5,000 - $10,000 More Fee Info
Black Heritage, Culture, Entrepreneurship, Female Leadership, Social Activism
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Lensa (Aida) Mekonnen Biography

Lensa (Aida) Mekonnen is an Ethiopian entrepreneur, diplomat, and public servant. Born and raised in Addis Ababa, she has held various leadership roles in both the public and private sectors.

Mekonnen began her career as an entrepreneur, establishing her own startup. She later transitioned to diplomacy, working in the development sector with a focus on agriculture, institutional, and systems building. She has also consulted on projects aimed at improving livelihoods and communities.

In 2018, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed appointed Mekonnen as the CEO of the Ethiopian Tourism Organization. During her tenure, she spearheaded a 10-year MICE strategy to promote business tourism, established a convention bureau, and initiated a strategy for stopover tourism. Mekonnen also advocated for comprehensive tourism resource mapping, destination optimization, and job creation within the tourism value chain.

In 2020, Mekonnen was appointed the founding CEO of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) Land Bank and Development Corporation. In this role, she focused on accurate landholding information, project concept development, and strategic planning for large-scale development projects, including the ReVamping Sheger Project. She also organized the Invest Origins international investment forum to attract foreign investment in sectors such as housing, health, hospitality, education, and ICT.

Mekonnen returned to the tourism sector as a State Minister, where she revitalized the sector through social media campaigns and international collaborations. She played a key role in the development of the East Africa Sustainable Tourism Development Strategy, launched in Addis Ababa in September 2024. A strong advocate for Ethiopia's economic growth and development, Mekonnen believes that active citizenship and constructive dialogue are essential to realizing the country's potential. She is currently working on setting up a multifaceted independent consulting service.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 11/10/2025.

Lensa (Aida) Mekonnen Speaking Topics

  • 1. The Social and Economic Transformative Power of Tourism

    Lensa (Aida) Mekonnen's tenure as CEO of Tourism Ethiopia provided her with direct insight into the sector's capacity to transform lives and economies. The tourism industry possesses a unique grassroots reach, generating employment opportunities for a wide spectrum of individuals, regardless of their educational background. This inclusivity fosters social mobility and empowers communities. Furthermore, tourism significantly contributes to economic growth through foreign currency generation, positioning it alongside traditional export industries. This contribution is crucial for diversifying the economy and strengthening both the manufacturing and agricultural sectors. In essence, tourism serves as a powerful catalyst for integrated social and economic development.

  • 2. Utilizing Tourism as a Peacebuilding Block

    Lensa (Aida) Mekonnen's experience in land development, where the demand for hospitality investments reflected increasing global mobility, reinforced her understanding of the crucial link between human connection and peace. Tourism fosters intercultural understanding by facilitating direct interaction between people from diverse backgrounds. By exposing individuals to different cultures, lifestyles, and social norms, tourism promotes empathy, tolerance, and mutual respect. These shared experiences create lasting connections and build bridges across cultural divides, contributing significantly to regional, continental, and global peace.

    Returning to the tourism sector in a ministerial role has underscored the importance of engaging youth in realizing this transformative potential. In our increasingly interconnected digital world, it is essential that young people recognize the multifaceted benefits of tourism, including its vital role in fostering peace and enhancing security, in addition to its economic and social contributions. By developing policies and regulations that prioritize youth involvement, we can ensure the sustainable growth of a sector that acts as a powerful force for positive change.

Lensa (Aida) Mekonnen Videos

Lensa (Aida) Mekonnen | TEDxAddisKetema

Lensa (Aida) Mekonnen | TEDxAddisKetema

Leading : The Beginning is at the End

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  • How do I book Lensa (Aida) Mekonnen to speak at my event?

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  • What are the speaker fees for Lensa (Aida) Mekonnen

    Speaking fees for Lensa (Aida) Mekonnen, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Lensa (Aida) Mekonnen are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and under $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Lensa (Aida) Mekonnen, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

  • What topics does Lensa (Aida) Mekonnen speak about?

    Lensa (Aida) Mekonnen is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Black Heritage, Culture, Entrepreneurship, Female Leadership, Social Activism

  • Where does Lensa (Aida) Mekonnen travel from?

    Lensa (Aida) Mekonnen generally travels from an undisclosed location, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.

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    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Lensa (Aida) Mekonnen for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Lensa (Aida) Mekonnen for your next private or corporate function.

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Lensa (Aida) Mekonnen is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as 1. The Social and Economic Transformative Power of Tourism and 2. Utilizing Tourism as a Peacebuilding Block. The estimated speaking fee range to book Lensa (Aida) Mekonnen for your event is $10,000 - $20,000. Lensa (Aida) Mekonnen generally travels from and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Cassie De Pecol, Ambriel Pouncy, Alexis Alston, Valeria Aloe and Heather J. Crider. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Lensa (Aida) Mekonnen for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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