Tamerat Hailu: Journalist, Media Consultant, and Writer
Documented by፦ Ezra Ejigu and AddisAlem Mulat.
Pursuing Independent Ventures in Publishing and Beyond.
Tamerat Hailu, a native of the vibrant city of Addis Ababa, enjoyed a nurturing and memorable upbringing. As the youngest of eight siblings, he began his formal education at Misrak Ber Primary School and later attended Misrak Comprehensive High School. It was during his ninth-grade years that his exceptional talent became evident to Ethiopian radio audiences through his regular appearances on the popular children’s program “Kelijoch Alem” (“From the Children’s World”).
From the age of twelve, Tamerat developed a deep passion for reading, carefully documenting his reflections and discoveries in a personal notebook. While still in secondary school, he actively organized and participated in Mini Media initiatives. He later joined a three-month graduate training program organized by the Region 14 Culture and Sports Office. Despite walking nearly five kilometers daily from the 22 area to the office, his dedication paid off. During this period, he connected with influential figures and prominent writers, which opened doors for him to publish his early articles in national newspapers such as Addis Zemen and Ethiopian Today.
In the early stages of his career, Tamerat gained valuable experience addressing social issues through contributions to various private newspapers. Although these works were largely unpaid, they laid a strong foundation for his professional growth and journalistic skills. In 1997, he began working as an editor for the culture and arts column of Addis Lisan, quickly advancing to the roles of column editor and deputy editor. By 1999, he transitioned from public service into the private media sector.
Following a brief tenure at Eletawi Addis, the country’s first daily newspaper—which later ceased operations due to financial difficulties and was published by the owner of Unity University—Tamerat joined Ze Press with fellow journalists, serving as deputy editor-in-chief. Between 2000 and 2002, the newspaper gained wide recognition for its bold and engaging content.
Over the past two decades, Tamerat’s entrepreneurial vision has led him to establish himself as an independent publisher. In 2002, he launched KUMNEGER magazine, a literary publication dedicated to substance and critical thought. Through his publishing work, he has engaged with a broad spectrum of society—from presidents and prime ministers to artists, prominent public figures, community leaders, and marginalized children—while providing platforms for both emerging and established writers and journalists to contribute to Ethiopia’s literary and media landscape.
One of his most notable achievements was the introduction of Ethiopia’s first Fashion magazine, successfully filling a previously untapped market niche. He dedicated more than a decade to this publication until regulatory changes restricted multiple publications under a single publisher. Alongside his media work, Tamerat also published two books and served as a Public Relations Officer at PHARMID, a government development enterprise responsible for importing medical and pharmaceutical equipment.
Expanding his commitment to media development, Tamerat established a journalism training center and participated in numerous domestic and international training programs, workshops, and professional exchanges. His academic background in language and literature, law, and folklore studies at Addis Ababa University has significantly shaped his teaching and mentorship of aspiring journalists.
In recent years, Tamerat has expanded his publishing and business ventures across digital platforms, including kumnegermedia.com and radio show. As a media manager and consultant, he has served as Deputy Chairperson of the Ethiopian Media Council since 2020. The Council is dedicated to promoting independent media and strengthening ethical journalism in Ethiopia.
