About Mahfuz
Mahfuz Kedir Abas is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of HOBBE Tech. Co., one of Ethiopia's most ambitious technology companies. A technology entrepreneur, product strategist and organizational builder, Mahfuz established HOBBE with a single, defining conviction: that world-class software and digital systems could be built from Ethiopia — not just consumed from abroad.
Under his leadership, HOBBE has grown into a full-spectrum technology company developing over 70 products and solutions that span enterprise software, government infrastructure, AI platforms, construction technology, healthcare systems and the HOBBE Platform — the company's flagship proprietary digital ecosystem. That track record reflects a deliberate philosophy Mahfuz has embedded into the company's culture from the start: focus on real problems, build for scale from day one, and never compromise on quality.
Vision & Strategy
What sets Mahfuz apart as a technology leader is his ability to hold two realities simultaneously: the immediate, practical needs of Ethiopian organizations navigating digital transformation, and the long-term potential of an African technology company competing on the world stage. This dual focus has guided every major decision at HOBBE — from the products it builds to the partnerships it forms to the talent it attracts.
His strategic partnerships with government institutions such as INSA, the Dire Dawa Administration, the Office of the Mayor of Dire Dawa, and the Federal Ministry of Innovation & Technology (MInT) reflect a deliberate effort to align HOBBE's technology capabilities with national priorities. Mahfuz understands that technology companies in Ethiopia cannot succeed in isolation — they must build relationships with institutions, earn trust over time, and demonstrate that their systems work in real-world conditions.
Building for the Future
Beyond the company's existing portfolio, Mahfuz is driving HOBBE's expansion into blockchain and digital finance through HOBBE COIN (HBC) — a stablecoin project that positions HOBBE as not just a technology services company, but a participant in the future of African digital infrastructure. The HOBBE Platform, his most ambitious product, is being built to bring people, content, events and digital experiences together across Ethiopia and eventually across the continent.
Mahfuz's leadership style is characterized by directness, high standards and a refusal to accept "good enough" when great is possible. He has assembled a team of engineers, product managers and strategists who share that standard — and the result is a company that consistently delivers systems other organizations depend on.
Personal
Based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Mahfuz continues to be deeply involved in the day-to-day execution of HOBBE's most critical projects while building the organizational structure that will allow the company to scale across East Africa and beyond. He believes the next decade will see African-built technology companies recognized as global leaders — and he intends HOBBE to be one of them.