Schwab Foundation has awarded Kibret Abebe, Founder and CEO of Tebita Ambulance, as part of the Schwab Foundation Awards 2026, which celebrate 21 social entrepreneurs and innovators committed to driving systemic change worldwide. The recognition honors values-driven leaders who develop innovative models in business, social development, and the environment, helping to build a more equitable and sustainable world.

Kibret Abebe was recognized for his pioneering contribution to strengthening emergency medical services in Ethiopia. Trained as a nurse anesthetist, he founded Tebita Ambulance to address the country’s severe shortage of pre-hospital emergency medical services.

Under his leadership, the organization has become a national benchmark, providing pre-hospital care, ambulance transport, and first aid training, while also advocating for national emergency medical service standards.

The experience of Tebita Ambulance is also one of the enterprises featured in the book (Not) an easy enterprise. Strengthening Entrepreneurial Ecosystems in Sub-Saharan Africa, which examines the dynamics of social impact entrepreneurship across the continent and presents case studies, such as that of Kibret Abebe, demonstrating how structural barriers can be overcome to generate sustainable change. Read Bezawit Fantu’s article “Beyond Profit: The Rise of Social Impact Enterprises” for free by downloading the book.