About Us

After a year of market research and almost two years of discussions with the Regulator, Ethio Lease received a license from the National Bank of Ethiopia to operate a leasing company in July of 2019, becoming the first foreign-owned entity to be granted a financial services license in the country.
Ethio Lease is a subsidiary company of African Asset Finance Company (AAFC), which was launched in 2017 to address Africa’s underserved market for equipment leasing and asset-backed lending, with Ethiopia as its first market. Headquartered in New York, and with offices in Africa, the Middle East and Europe, AAFC is rapidly expanding its offerings to several other markets across the African continent.
About AAFC
African Asset Finance Company (AAFC) provides equipment leasing and asset-backed lending in Africa through AAFC group companies and partnerships. AAFC is a privately owned US corporation, with its main office located in New York.
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Leadership
Ethio Lease is led by CEO Degol Gossaye. He joined Ethio Lease as Vice President of Business Development and Marketing on August 15th, 2019 and has played an instrumental role in building the portfolio of Ethio Lease. Degol has over 16 years’ experience working in the banking and the commercial sector working various positions such as Credit Manager, Risk Manager, and Branch Manager. Degol earned an MBL and Economics Degree from UNISA and is a CFA candidate.
Our Team
Degol Gossaye
Degol Gossaye is the CEO of Ethio Lease.
Degol Gossaye is the CEO of Ethio Lease. Degol joined Ethio Lease in 2019 as Vice President of Business Development and Marketing from Essilor-Sun Optical Tech, where he was CEO.
Previously, Degol worked for 14 years at United Bank as a Credit Manager, Risk Manager, and the Branch Manager. He started his career at United as a Senior Analyst.
Degol earned an MBL and Economics Degree from UNISA and is a CFA candidate.
Degol Gossaye
Degol Gossaye is the CEO of Ethio Lease. Degol joined Ethio Lease in 2019 as Vice President of Business Development and Marketing from Essilor-Sun Optical Tech, where he was CEO.
Previously, Degol worked for 14 years at United Bank as a Credit Manager, Risk Manager, and the Branch Manager. He started his career at United as a Senior Analyst.
Degol earned an MBL and Economics Degree from UNISA and is a CFA candidate.
Menen Shewarega
Menen is the CRO of Ethio Lease. She brings more than 11 years of cumulative credit and risk management experience. She Joined Ethio Lease in August 2019.
Previously, Menen spent more than 11 years with United Bank S.C. where she rose to the position of Credit Manager. During her tenure with United Bank, she held a wide variety of banking functions, including commercial lending officer and risk & credit analysis.
Menen has a BA in Economics & an MBA in Business Administration with a Marketing specialization.


Board of Directors
Ethio Lease is overseen and supported by a board of directors, a group of renowned business leaders from around the world who bring extensive experience in Ethiopia, Africa, banking and non-banking financial services, and best-in-class management practices.
Anne Eriksson
Anne recently retired from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) as the Regional Senior Partner for Eastern Africa and Senior Country Partner Kenya, a role in which she oversaw 1,500 employees in six African countries.
Brooks Washington
Brooks is founder of Roha and a partner with the firm. He serves as a board member on all of Roha’s portfolio companies and previously served as CEO (General Manager) of Juniper Glass Industries, Roha’s first large-scale industrial development.
Frans VanSchaik
Frans serves as Vice Chair of Ethio Lease and is the Chairman and CEO of African Asset Finance Company Inc. He is also a Roha partner and serves on a number of affiliated company boards.
Girma Wake
Girma serves as the chair of Ethio Lease.
He also serves on the Board of Ethiopian Airlines, as the chair of United Insurance and as an adviser to the Government of Togo.
Mohab Mufti
Mohab is a Saudi Executive with thirty years of experience in financial services, including global markets, structured finance and direct investments. He currently leads advisory firm Decca Investments and serves on the Board of Arqaam Capital, a Dubai-based emerging markets investment bank.






Careers & Opportunities
Are you seeking an opportunity to advance your career? We are hiring experienced professionals and promising new talent for various roles.
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