Photography Rudi Geyser
Words by Metasebia Yoseph
The skateboarding crew inspiring the country’s youth to conquer Addis Ababa’s streets
Ethiopia Skate is one of the key organisations responsible for bolstering this fresh scene taking hold of the country’s youth. Although primarily based in Addis Ababa, on an open pocket of concrete originally intended as parking for taxicabs in the Old Airport Sar Bet area, the group also activates skate spots around Ethiopia. Since its inception in 2014, Ethiopia Skate has worked to provide access to skateboarding equipment and spaces where members from a variety of socio-economic and cultural backgrounds can “just skate.” Like Nike’s iconic motto, this minimalist ethos fuels their urban conquests. With each new push, kickflip and ollie, founders and skateboarding enthusiasts Addisu Hailemichael, Sean Stromsoe, and Abenezer Temesgen, hope to build not only confidence and creativity within their followers, but also a deep sense of community.