The CEO of WebSprix, a private sector ISP startup competing with state-run Ethio Telecom, has been jailed since December 26, 2024 on baseless charges.
The CEO is Dawit Birhanu (CCIE #5602), an American citizen and former Cisco leader. He left a lucrative career in the U.S. to found Ethiopia’s first private ISP, WebSprix. The company has an impressive track record, providing internet service to underserved communities of Addis Ababa and Bahir Dar:
29,600 active customers
440,000 homes passed
4100km fiber buried
It was projected to grow to 5-7 million homes passed by 2030, however, with the CEO in jail without access to digital devices and WebSprix assets frozen, major projects have been paused.
The charges against him stem from a dispute about "unpaid" taxes (despite having been awarded Taxpayer of the Year multiple times), ultimately a civil issue that could have been resolved out of court. He has since been denied bail, has had 6 hearing continuances, and meanwhile he is imprisoned without due process in Aba Samuel prison in Ethiopia. The heavy-handedness of imprisoning the CEO seems to suggest other motives and has a chilling effect on investment in developing markets like Ethiopia.
For more information, please watch Ray Mota's podcast at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZV3GA-c-Uo , and stand up for justice and digital inclusion—help secure a fair trial and release for Dawit, the visionary entrepreneur detained in Ethiopia. Share his story, sign the petition, and urge your representatives to act.
The CEO is Dawit Birhanu (CCIE #5602), an American citizen and former Cisco leader. He left a lucrative career in the U.S. to found Ethiopia’s first private ISP, WebSprix. The company has an impressive track record, providing internet service to underserved communities of Addis Ababa and Bahir Dar:
It was projected to grow to 5-7 million homes passed by 2030, however, with the CEO in jail without access to digital devices and WebSprix assets frozen, major projects have been paused.The charges against him stem from a dispute about "unpaid" taxes (despite having been awarded Taxpayer of the Year multiple times), ultimately a civil issue that could have been resolved out of court. He has since been denied bail, has had 6 hearing continuances, and meanwhile he is imprisoned without due process in Aba Samuel prison in Ethiopia. The heavy-handedness of imprisoning the CEO seems to suggest other motives and has a chilling effect on investment in developing markets like Ethiopia.
For more information, please watch Ray Mota's podcast at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZV3GA-c-Uo , and stand up for justice and digital inclusion—help secure a fair trial and release for Dawit, the visionary entrepreneur detained in Ethiopia. Share his story, sign the petition, and urge your representatives to act.