Society Building a Legacy: Self-made entrepreneur scales new heights
September 28, 2024
Akkoo restaurant set to open in Dubai
On a warm evening, just after 7 p.m. local time, Akkoo Restaurant in Bole, a bustling suburb of Addis Ababa, is alive with energy. The tables are filled with tourists from a nearby hotel, eager to sample Ethiopian cuisine for the first time, mingling with regulars at this cosy eatery. The restaurant, which has branches across Addis and as far as Bishoftu, has become a beloved fixture in the local dining scene.
Inside the spacious restaurant, open 24 hours a day, the rich aroma of freshly roasted coffee fills the air as a server makes her rounds, offering guests a chance to savor the country’s famed beverage.
For Dawit Hailu, the owner, Akkoo is more than a business—it’s deeply personal. Dawit, a savvy entrepreneur who also owns the pioneering Wudassie Diagnostic Center, sees his restaurant as a tribute to his childhood, filled with family meals that left lasting memories. The business is dedicated to his grandmother, whose portraits adorn the walls of every Akkoo location. The restaurant’s name, “Akkoo,” means “My Grandmother” in Affaan Oromo, a nod to the matriarch whose culinary influence inspired Dawit’s passion for food.
The Akkoo brand has already expanded into coffee exports, with a line of packaged coffee named after Dawit’s grandmother. He recalls learning the art of good food from her, and friends who tasted her cooking would return for more. This same spirit of hospitality and quality now extends to every plate served at Akkoo.
Now, Dawit is preparing to take Akkoo beyond Ethiopia, starting with a branch in Dubai.
One loyal patron, a Dubai-based woman who frequented Akkoo while living in Ethiopia three years ago, recently returned to Addis Ababa for the Meskel celebrations. She says Akkoo is one of the things she missed most about Ethiopia. Together with her friends, she says the first thing they did on their first night in the city was to go to the restaurant. “I became an ambassador for Akkoo among my friends in Dubai, always asking anyone traveling to Ethiopia to bring me frozen food from here.”
Her wait is almost over. Akkoo is set to open its first branch in the United Arab Emirates, an exciting development for both the restaurant and its international fans.
“Akkoo is a family affair,” Dawit reflects. “We serve in our restaurants what we serve at home, using recipes handed down from my grandmother to her children and grandchildren.” For him, it’s not just about expanding a business; it’s about carrying forward a family legacy of food and hospitality.
For Henok Tesfaye, another loyal customer, Akkoo brings a sense of home. The diverse menu reminds him of his mother’s cooking. “Akkoo is a beautiful experience that I cherish and I am proud to bring to my clients, whether they are local or international. I’ve never had a complaints, only compliments,” Henok says, sipping Akkoo coffee and nibbling on Kocho, a traditional snack, as he waits for friends to join him.
Akkoo’s menu is a rich tapestry of Ethiopian cuisine, offering everything from snacks to full meals, including favorites like Kitfo (a raw minced beef dish akin to French tartare) and Doro Wot (spicy chicken stew).
Henok’s go-to is Kitfo, which he orders for special occasions. “My mother makes the best Kitfo, but Akkoo comes pretty close,” he says with a grin. “During Meskel, it’s all I want to eat.”
With multiple locations in Addis, from Bole to Piassa, CMC, and even within the scenic Friendship Park, Akkoo is fast becoming a staple in the restaurant scene. More branches are planned, including at Sidist Kilo University and Awash Bank.
Dawit’s success with Akkoo mirrors his achievements in other ventures, but the restaurant holds a special place in his heart.
In addition to expanding the restaurant, Dawit has launched a full-scale coffee roasting facility, aiming to serve Akkoo’s loyal customers both in Ethiopia and abroad.
“I open every business with my customers in mind. Profit is always secondary. I’d rather lose money than lose my reputation and the legacy I’ve built over a lifetime,” says Dawit Hailu, reflecting on the values that have driven his ventures.
His newest ambition? Expanding Akkoo to Dubai, a strategic hub with a significant Ethiopian community and a diverse clientele eager for authentic, high-quality Ethiopian cuisine.
“Dubai is the perfect place for our next step. There are thousands of Ethiopians and global residents who appreciate Ethiopian food. We want to bring them a restaurant that meets international standards while retaining the warmth of home-cooked meals,” Dawit explains.
Beyond the restaurant world, Dawit’s investments stretch into education. He owns Jorgo Academy in Bishoftu, a school currently serving about 1,000 students up to grade eight, with plans to expand across Ethiopia.
“My vision isn’t just about business—it’s about giving back, creating opportunities for employment, and educating the next generation,” Dawit says.
This commitment to fostering growth is felt throughout his ventures. One employee at Akkoo, who requested anonymity, shared that working at the restaurant is more than just a job.
“It’s a place where hard work is valued and growth is encouraged. I am treated not as a number but as a contributing member of the family.The business puts me and my interests at heart and makes my growth based on my performance a priority for the owner and management,” the employee said. “Working here is like a professional training I would pay for and it’s a skill that I can take in my professional life forward.”
Dawit’s rise from humble beginnings is as much a testament to his perseverance as it is to his vision. He started by selling local artifacts along Churchill Road before co-founding Wudassie Diagnostic Center in 2008 with a diaspora friend. When his partner eventually sold his share and left Ethiopia, Dawit took full ownership, rebranding the business with his wife’s name, employed many young professionals, offering them early career opportunities within a fast-growing enterprise.
In 2023, Dawit announced plans to transform Wudassie into a fully-fledged hospital, providing sophisticated medical services that Ethiopians currently travel abroad to receive.
This year, he inaugurated an ultrasound assembly plant—the first of its kind in Africa—partnering with ElsMed Healthcare Solutions and Siemens Healthineers, with support from the Ethiopian government.
Dawit’s efforts to build his brand extend beyond profit. Through Wudassie, he offers free medical services during Ethiopia’s 13th month to vulnerable communities. This spirit of community engagement, Dawit says, is integral to all his businesses, including Akkoo, which he envisions as a platform to showcase Ethiopian cuisine and hospitality, not just to Ethiopians but to the world.
Brook Tesfaye (MD), a physician who trained at Black Lion Hospital, recalls Dawit’s generosity when he nervously approached him as an intern, seeking a free MRI service for a patient. Not only did Dawit provide the service without hesitation, but he also encouraged the doctor to send more patients in need.
It is gestures like these that are celebratedin the medical community, says Brook, noting Dawit’s contributions to public hospitals like Black Lion, where he has donated medical equipment, sponsored events, and offered placements to aspiring medical students.
“That’s how you build a brand from the ground up,” Brook adds. “It’s no wonder Dawit is succeeding in his entrepreneurial aspirations.”
For Dawit, the future is about balancing business growth with social impact. Whether it’s through his restaurants, diagnostic centers, or schools, Dawit remains committed to building a legacy rooted in both entrepreneurship and giving back to the community. And as Akkoo prepares to launch its first international branch, Dawit’s vision of blending Ethiopian heritage with global ambition is set to reach new heights.