Professional Profile
Nebil Imam is the Founder and Group Chief Executive Officer of Imam Muzeyen Business Group Holdings (IMBG), a diversified Ethiopian business group established to build innovative companies that create employment opportunities, solve everyday challenges, and contribute to Ethiopia's economic development.
From an early age, Nebil developed a passion for business and entrepreneurship. Growing up in a family of entrepreneurs, he spent school holidays and weekends working alongside his parents, gaining practical business experience that shaped his entrepreneurial mindset.
His father, Imam Muzeyen, was one of Ethiopia's prominent businessmen with investments in import and export, agriculture, construction, and retail. His mother was also a successful entrepreneur who managed businesses including a restaurant and a photography studio. Working in these family businesses gave Nebil firsthand experience in customer service, operations, sales, finance, food and beverage, and business management.
Starting as a waiter, cashier, and restaurant assistant in his mother's restaurant, he learned that no job is too small when building a successful business. During his school years, he also participated in organizing school festivals and carnivals, selling food, creating entertainment activities, and developing his passion for entrepreneurship.
Over the years, Nebil established several businesses across different sectors, including a video rental store, bakery, peanut butter production, liquid soap manufacturing, and mini markets in different cities across Ethiopia. He later expanded into media and tourism by launching a tourism magazine Red Fox Times, hotel directory, hotel booking platform, and delivery services.
Driven by a vision to modernize Ethiopia's transportation industry, he founded Hello Bus, introducing online bus ticket booking and shuttle services supported by digital technology and a professional call center. However, the COVID-19 pandemic and later regional conflicts significantly affected the transportation sector. Rather than giving up, he adapted the business by introducing employee shuttle services and school transportation while exploring new opportunities.
To preserve jobs for his employees and respond to changing market needs, Nebil founded Hello Mesa, a modern food service company focused on providing healthy, affordable Ethiopian meals. As the business expanded, he recognized the importance of controlling quality and supply, leading to the creation of Hello Baltena & Spices and Hello Mart through a backward integration strategy that strengthened the entire food value chain.
Recognizing the growing demand for reliable logistics, he established Hello Express, a green delivery company using electric motor bikes to provide affordable delivery services while supporting Ethiopia's Green Legacy Initiative through environmentally friendly transportation.
As the group expanded further, Nebil founded Hello Marketing & Consultancy to strengthen sales and business development, and Hello Media & Events to manage branding, digital marketing, content creation, and event management. He later launched Hello Cleaners to provide professional cleaning services in response to Ethiopia's growing commercial and residential developments.
As the number of companies continued to grow, Nebil established Imam Muzeyen Business Group Holdings (IMBG) to provide strategic leadership and centralized management services including human resources, finance, information technology, marketing, legal support, procurement, and corporate governance across the Hello companies.
Nebil credits much of his entrepreneurial journey to the invaluable experience and guidance he received from his parents his Father Mr. IMAM MUZEYEN KELIL and his Mother Mss NEFISA GERESSU HABIB. Following their passing, he committed himself to continuing their legacy of entrepreneurship, hard work, and nation-building.