KURIFTU: A LEGACY REIMAGINED BY THE NEXT GENERATION

Perched above the city and cradled by forest, Kuriftu African Village feels less like it was built and more like it emerged from the land itself. At the Burayu location, where the breeze stirs tall trees and sunlight dances across Addis Ababa’s skyline views, it becomes clear that Kuriftu is more than just a resort. It’s a curated experience where tradition meets innovation and, perhaps most profoundly, a deep family legacy stepping into a bold new era. During our shoot, that legacy was everywhere. From the intricate woodwork done by their in-house craftsmen and the rich red leather accents woven into the furniture to the 54 uniquely designed rooms, each representing an African country, you can tell everything was designed with intention and care. Yonaeil, Mehalet, and Abbner, the next generation leading the Kuriftu legacy, each bring distinct passions and perspectives. Yet, their unity is unmistakable a shared desire not only to preserve what their parents built but to elevate it into something greater.

Ten years ago, Yona stepped into the role of Operations Director. At the time, Kuriftu’s first location was more vision than reality, with just two sample rooms 201 and 202 an incredible view, and dreams bigger than the structures housing them. “There was no roof over the restaurant.” Yonaeil laughs, “We played table tennis in the middle of construction dust. Tsigereda, now our Managing Director, would cook for guests because we didn’t even have kitchens yet,” he recalls with a laugh. “It was all chaos. But it was also magic.”

Even back then, it was clear that Kuriftu’s foundation wasn’t just in concrete and stone, but in community and culture. “We’re a local brand. Our woodwork, our team, our materials, our training all come from here. That’s what makes Kuriftu unmistakably Ethiopian.” With nearly half of their construction crew eventually joining full-time, the company’s hiring model reflects a larger commitment empowering locals to grow into leaders.

Having lived both abroad and in Ethiopia, he sees his role as bridging worlds. “Maybe my siblings and I count as outliers, but our diaspora background gives us perspective. We understand what the international community expects, but we design for Ethiopians first. Our loyalty is to Ethiopia.”

That commitment is especially visible in how Kuriftu uplifts neighboring communities, installing water wells and providing electricity in Bishoftu, and partnering with Coca-Cola and BGI to create safer economic opportunities for women in Entoto. “Our communities have fully supported us,” he says. “So giving back isn’t optional. It’s who we are.” Looking ahead, he’s most excited to be joined by his siblings. “It didn’t mean much when it was just me and my dad. But now that my sister and brother have joined, it feels like we can build something even more unified. Of course, we all have our own interests and lives to lead, but none of us are bigger than the brand and we’ve made that clear from the beginning.”

Just a few feet away during the shoot, Abbner discusses the lighting between takes, instinctively scanning the set with an eye for a story. Although he’s only three months into his formal role as New Ventures Manager, his perspective is expansive and his vision aimed beyond the horizon.“I remember the first time we visited the land. It was rugged, full of cacti, and I kept getting attacked by a swarm of flies. I remember thinking, ‘Why are we building here?’” he says, laughing. “But my dad saw something we didn’t. He had a clear vision long before the rest of us did.”

Today, Abbner is the one spotting potential where others see limits. He talks with equal excitement about preserving tradition stone architecture, earthy tones, design rooted in culture and pushing bold innovations forward. “We’re constantly introducing new experiences in Ethiopia like glamping, paintball, ziplining and more. We’re not just building hotels. We’re redefining what hospitality can look like here.”

He grew up spending weekends at the Debre Zeit location, which remains his favorite. “I’ve built friendships there that still last. Watching that space evolve taught me to dream bigger.”His drive is rooted not just in personal ambition, but in deep respect for what his father built. “If money were the goal, my father would’ve sold the company and retired years ago. But he’s driven by impact. And I want to follow in his footsteps by making Kuriftu not just a national brand, but a household name across the continent.”

Now, she helps ensure that magic continues, infusing sustainability, wildlife conservation, and wellness into Kuriftu’s future. “We hire locally, source locally, and train from the ground up. We want to make sure we’re not just creating jobs but also building futures.” She speaks about her father with quiet admiration. “He’s always been a force of nature with the kindest heart. He never enters a property without greeting every staff member. He’s a fearless risk-taker, unafraid to fail and always ready to try again.” Like her siblings, she’s passionate about making sure the next chapter reflects not just their parents’ dreams, but also their own. “My brothers and I are all very different. But we align on values. If my children one day decide to join Kuriftu, I want them to bring their own strengths. Adaptability while staying true to our core is what will carry us forward.”

As her brothers take a few test shots in the living room, Mehalet descends the stairs, her demeanor calm and energy purposeful. As Deputy Director of Operations, she brings both sensitivity and strength to every layer of the resort’s development. Her connection to Kuriftu is deeply personal. “I remember often complaining about the long drives to Bishoftu. As a teen, I just wanted to hang out with friends. But when I wasn’t busy complaining, I did love watching pelicans glide across the lake, trying to catch frogs around the fountains, and kayaking with my brothers.” Though it took her years to fully appreciate it, those weekends shaped her. “Kuriftu felt like a home away from home. Looking back, I realize how special it was to have parents who saw magic in places others dismissed.”

Even on set, the foundation of family was present. Yonaeil’s wife, Alexandria, styled their sons Leon, whose laughter filled the space as he ran across the floor barefoot between takes, and Eliel, who was passed lovingly from arm to arm like living symbols of legacy. Although their father, Kuriftu’s founder Tadiwos Belete, wasn’t present that day, his presence was felt in every frame. His kindness, unpredictability, and relentless drive are etched into the rhythm of the business. “He can lead just by picking up a plate,” his children say. “He built a culture of service that we’re now formalizing and preserving.” Still, the soul of Kuriftu, they agree, wouldn’t exist without their mother, Dinkenesh “Lily.” Though rarely in the spotlight, she is the quiet force that has held the family and the dream together. “There is no Kuriftu without my mom,” Yonaeil reflects. “She kept us grounded, raised us with love, and allowed our father the freedom to build. She’s the other side of the coin and deserves just as much credit for everything Kuriftu is today.”

As the next generation steps into leadership, they are not simply inheriting a legacy they are redefining what it means to carry one. Like the trees cradling Kuriftu’s African Village; in Yonaeil we find the roots, anchoring heritage and authenticity. In Abbner, the bold branches stretching outward with innovation and ambition. And in Mehalet, the nurturing hands tending to the soil with care, sustainability, and soul. Together, they are cultivating a future that honors the past while daring to dream beyond it.

Kuriftu’s next chapter isn’t just bright, it’s blooming.