Dashen Breweries SC has announced the appointment of Matyas Getachew as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective Monday, April 27, 2026. The move follows an extensive global search by the Board of Directors and marks a historic milestone for the industry: Matyas becomes the first Ethiopian executive to lead a major brewery in a sector traditionally dominated by expatriate leadership.
Matyas, a seasoned financial expert, joined Dashen in 2020 as Chief Financial Officer. During his tenure, he is credited with strengthening the company’s financial controls and operational discipline. Since October 2025, he has served as Acting CEO, overseeing a period of growth where the company reported measurable gains in production efficiency and sales despite a volatile macroeconomic climate characterized by high inflation and foreign exchange constraints.
The appointment comes as Dashen Breweries continues to expand its footprint in East Africa’s second-most populous nation. Founded over 25 years ago in Gondar by Tiret/Nigat Corporate, the company entered a landmark joint venture in 2011 with London-based investment firms Duet and Vasari. This partnership led to the establishment of a flagship plant in Debre Birhan, which helped triple the company’s annual production capacity to approximately 3 million hectoliters.
Industry analysts view the transition as a bellwether for the “localization” of corporate leadership in Ethiopia. “Matyas’s appointment reflects a growing confidence in homegrown talent to lead large-scale consumer businesses,” noted a regional industry analyst. This shift aligns with recent moves by other multinationals in Ethiopia, such as Coca-Cola Beverages Africa and Unilever, which have also turned to local executives to navigate the unique dynamics of the Ethiopian market.
Matyas brings a wealth of international experience to the role, having previously held senior leadership positions at global giants including SABMiller, Coca-Cola, and Diageo. His professional credentials include a bachelor’s degree from Addis Ababa University’s Commercial College, a master’s degree from Heriot-Watt University, and a fellowship with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).
Under his leadership, Dashen is expected to lean heavily into sustainable innovation. The company recently announced plans to integrate digital analytics to optimize its supply chain and is exploring “E-boiler” technology to transition away from heavy fuel oil. These initiatives aim to reduce reliance on imported energy, a critical move for a company operating in a market where hard currency remains scarce.
As Dashen Breweries enters its next chapter, the company seeks to balance its 25-year heritage with a modernized approach to the consumer market. With Matyas at the helm, the brewer is positioning itself to defend its market share—estimated at roughly 20%—against intensifying competition from global players like Heineken and BGI Ethiopia.