Bethelhem Dejene is the Founder & CEO of Zafree Papers and an economist by profession, leading one of Africa’s most innovative sustainability ventures. Zafree produces 100% tree-free paper and packaging from banana stems ,an abundant agricultural waste sourced directly from farms. Through a fully circular model, the company transforms this waste into premium paper pulp and returns organic fertilizer, made from fibre extraction by products, back to farmers closing the loop between agriculture and manufacturing. Her leadership has earned her Founder of the Year Africa (2024) by the Global Startup Awards, the Impatient Optimist Alumni Award (People’s Choice) by the 100+ Accelerator, the Lead2030 SDG 5 Challenge by One Young World, and other global recognitions for innovation, sustainability, and social impact. Bethelhem is a founding member of the Resilient 40 and serves on the African Reference Group , a collaboration between the Mastercard Foundation and University of Cambridge , shaping strategies to advance Africa-led climate innovation and inclusive green growth across the continent.