Takele Uma Benti

Takele Uma Banti (, ) is an Ethiopian politician who is the CEO of Ethio-Djibouti Railways since 2024. He was the Minister of Mines and Petroleum from 2020 to 2023. He was Mayor of Addis Ababa from 2018 to 2020.

Early life and education Takele was born in the town of Ambo, located in Shewa, Ethiopia. He holds Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, a Master's degree in Environmental Engineering, both obtained from Addis Ababa University.He then possessed Master's in Business Administration from Harvard University. Additionally certifications from Harvard University and the Galilee International Management Institute, as well as a Master of Science in Economics from Addis Ababa University.

Career

Mayor of Addis Ababa Takele worked for several years as an associate partner in political offices of Ethiopia and others. On 17 July 2018, he was elected as Mayor of Addis Ababa by Addis Ababa City Council saving as deputy mayor. The election was made during the 5th extraordinary session in accordance with the revised proclamation by the House of people's Representatives and was succeeded by Diriba Kuma.

On 16 October 2019, he formed new cabinet which approved by the administration council where 19 officials from head of different offices were appointed. The session was attended by 89 members, three of the nominees were women, 79 members favor of nomination while the three were against and seven were abstained.

Minister of Mines and Petroleum Takele was appointed as Minister of Mines and Petroleum of Ethiopia from 18 August 2020 to 14 January 2023. As a minister of mines and Petroleum, his strategic leadership led to increase in gold exports, solidifying the mining sector as a major contributor to Ethiopia's foreign exchange earnings, from there he established a partnership between the Colorado School of Mines and Addis Ababa Institute of Technology to offer a dual Masters program in Mining and Petroleum Engineering.

Ethio-Djibouti Railway

On 16 July 2024, Takele was appointed as chief executive officer of the Ethio-Djibouti Railways by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.