Home / About
Our name is a position.
The first question we are asked when we introduce ourselves is —
what does Moveight mean? We are always happy to explain.
The mark
Our name is derived from a position created by the knight in the game of chess.
The knight represents the professional soldier of medieval times, whose job is to protect the more important pieces as well as create an advantage in the development of the game. The knight is one of the most powerful pieces on the chessboard due to its unusual movement — it moves in an L-shape direction and can jump over all other pieces to its destination square, giving it the ability to move even in closed positions. And when the knight is strategically placed in the centre, it is empowered to move into eight directions.
We believe the way the knight operates is emblematic of the way we support businesses and investors — our kings — in Ethiopia. In short, we help businesses and investors assess their positions, unlock opportunities and move into winning positions. And so we named ourselves Move Eight, or — for the sake of not repeating an e — Moveight.
Our players · Engagement
Your business is the king. Your resources are the pieces.
Opening
Positioning
Controlling the centre, protecting your king, structuring all pieces efficiently — these are the goals of a chess opening. Businesses need to think through how they protect key resources, pulse-check the market, examine their strengths and weaknesses, and position themselves to dominate.
Middlegame
Movement
An investor must first learn the rules of investing in Ethiopia, then find deals that meet their goals, then examine the investment-worthiness of each. All are essential. A premature move could backfire — and capital is lost.
Endgame
Capturing
The investing journey is sometimes likened to a courtship — the end goal being to capture the heart of your match. It is all about strategy, tactics and the ability to navigate the legal frameworks of the country. Things we are well familiar with.
Delivering growth through strategic investments
Welcome to Moveight, where we bring a fresh approach to smart investing.
Just like a skilled chess knight, we navigate the complexities of investing in emerging markets — with a particular focus on Ethiopia — helping you make savvy investment choices.
Our deep knowledge and commitment to your financial growth make us your trusted partner in the game of investing. Join us on this journey towards financial success, where every move counts, every decision matters, and every strategy leads to triumph.
01
Data-driven
We are a team of data-driven investment strategists who collaborate to produce the best solutions for our clients — informed by comprehensive diagnostics, not intuition alone.
02
Locally fluent
Over a decade inside the Ethiopian market. We know the how and the who of private capital here, and the legal frameworks a deal must pass through.
03
Long-term
A knight's value is positional. We advise for the position five moves from now, not the one that looks best today.
The Team
The people behind the moves.
01
Berkessa Behailu
Managing Director
16+ years of experience across transaction advisory, investment sourcing and analysis, private equity, investment promotion, policy development, and business development.
02
Lidia Elias
Transaction Advisor
10+ years of experience across development finance, banking, project management, and international development, with expertise in assessing and managing complex investment and development initiatives.
03
Abdi Elias
Investment Analyst
5 years of experience in investment research and analysis, financial modelling, valuation, and the preparation of investor and sell-side transaction materials.
04
Biniyam Tadesse
Finance & Accounting Advisor
15+ years of experience in accounting, financial management, taxation, audit, and financial reporting, supporting businesses on financial controls, compliance, and decision-making.