Dr. Gebrehiwot is the current director of research at HESPI. He has PhD in Economics in Development Finance from the University of Oxford, UK, M. Phil, in Monetary Economics, from the University of Glasgow, UK, BA in Economics, from Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia. He has a Certificate in Macroeconomic modelling, from Harvard University, USA, a Certificate in Competition and Regulation, from Athens University, Greece, a Certificate in Human Development Approach: Concept & Measurement, from UNDP, Kigali, Rwanda, and a Certificate in Energy Access for Sustainable Human Development, from the International Centre for Human Development, India and UNDP, Mauritius.

He has 20+ years of experience in research management, international organization, academic administration, academic and research work, policy analysis and advising, board membership, consultancy in a number of African countries (Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Sudan, South Sudan, Djibouti, Malawi), editorial board member and peer reviewer (several journals), and managing editor. He also lectured, published, conducted research and policy analysis on a range of issues including: remittances; financing structural economic transformation; firm investment and finance; capital market development; corporate finance; corporate governance; financial sector policy, regulation & supervision; microfinance; trade credit; marketing channels of business enterprises; pensions; Social Security fund and investment outlets; savings mobilisation & instruments; WTO accession and financial sector impact; Savings & Credit Coops ; regional economic integration and cross border cooperation; small enterprise development; world financial crisis and impact on developing countries; agricultural diversification for inclusive growth; and urban poverty, vulnerability and resilience building.