Bulcha Demeksa

Bulcha Demeksa (9 July 1930 – 6 January 2025) was an Ethiopian politician and businessman. He was the founder of the Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement (OFDM), one of Ethiopia's largest opposition parties.

Life and career Demeksa was born in Bodji, Wollega, Ethiopian Empire on 9 July 1930. In 1967, Demeksa was appointed vice-minister of Finance before representing his country at the board of the World Bank. In 1974, when the Ethiopian Revolution started, he left Ethiopia and was hired by the UN administration. Demeksa took his retirement in Ethiopia in 1991. In 1994, he created the Awash International Bank, which became a success.

Demeksa died in Addis Ababa on 6 January 2025, at the age of 94.

Awards At the end of 2008, Demeksa was named "Person of the Year" by Jimma Times, the online version of the defunct Afan Oromo private Yeroo newspaper. He was chosen for his work in the financial sector and his work for human rights and democracy as well as a peace activist between different warring sections of the Ethiopian society.