Kibret Abebe, President of Social Enterprise Ethiopia and Founder & CEO of Tebita Ambulance, has been awarded the 2026 Charles Schwab Foundation Award for Social Entrepreneurship, joining 21 global innovators recognized for creating impactful and sustainable social change.
A nurse anaesthetist by profession, Kibret’s journey into social entrepreneurship began while working in one of Addis Ababa’s largest hospitals, where he frequently witnessed traffic accident victims arriving without proper emergency medical support. Ethiopia lacked sufficient ambulance services, leaving many patients without urgent pre-hospital care. After visiting London and observing the effectiveness of professional ambulance systems, Kibret returned home determined to create change. He sold his house to finance the initiative and secured Ethiopia’s first licence for an independent ambulance service.
Founded by Kibret, Tebita Ambulance has become a pioneer in emergency medical response, providing 24-hour ambulance services in Addis Ababa, nationwide evacuation services, remote medical assistance for multinational companies, and certified first aid and health safety training. The company has played a major role in strengthening Ethiopia’s emergency healthcare infrastructure and saving countless lives.
Kibret’s achievement places Ethiopian social innovation on the global stage, proving that business success and social impact can work together to build a better future.
SOURCE:
www.tebitaambulance.com
https://www.schwabfound.org/2026-awardees
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