Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu grew up in the working-class neighbourhood of Zenabwork, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where she witnessed the extraordinary craftsmanship of local artisans and the economic challenges they faced. After earning a degree in accounting from Unity University, she set out to prove that world-class brands could be built in Africa by Africans. In 2005, she founded soleRebels, transforming the traditional Ethiopian practice of crafting footwear from recycled tyres into a globally recognised sustainable fashion brand and creating meaningful employment within her community.

Over the past two decades, Alemu has become one of Africa's most celebrated entrepreneurs, expanding her portfolio with Republic of Leather, Garden of Coffee, and more recently, ventures spanning food, mobility, and finance. A World Economic Forum Young Global Leader and the first African woman entrepreneur to address the Clinton Global Initiative, she has consistently championed "prosperity creation" through African innovation rather than aid. In 2026, she was named to Forbes Africa's 25 Most Powerful Women Under 50, joined the Forbes Under 30 Selection Committee, and featured on the cover of Forbes Africa, further cementing her reputation as one of the continent's most influential business leaders. She continues to advocate globally for ethical manufacturing, sustainable enterprise, and a new narrative of African excellence.