In a world where opportunity often seems out of reach, Selam Wondim stands as a beacon of hope and innovation, an embodiment of the belief that transformation is possible when you dare to dream. Born and raised in Ethiopia, Selam’s journey was never paved with ease, but rather forged through perseverance, vision, and a relentless pursuit of solutions.
Today, she is an influential entrepreneur whose work is bridging gaps, creating opportunities, and empowering communities not just in Ethiopia, but across Africa and beyond.
Selam’s entrepreneurial journey began long before she co-founded Gomida Solutions, a dynamic platform that connects gaming, community engagement, and brand partnerships in a way that has never been seen in Ethiopia. From the moment she was born, it was clear that Selam was destined to challenge the status quo.
“I believe I was born an entrepreneur,” she says, reflecting on her early years. “From an early age, I was naturally drawn to problem-solving and creating solutions.” It was this innate curiosity that pushed her toward a life that would intertwine innovation with social impact.
Raised in Ethiopia, Selam’s academic and professional pursuits were guided by a passion for connecting the dots and turning ideas into tangible realities. She studied Marketing Management, which she admits helped her understand modern branding and consumer behavior. However, her true entrepreneurial spirit began to take flight when she was introduced to BlueMoon, an agritech incubation hub in Ethiopia.
“That was the moment when everything clicked,” she recalls. “I co-founded a company focused on urban farming solutions, blending technology, scalability, and sustainability.”
As Selam navigated the early stages of her career, the entrepreneurial landscape in Ethiopia was still in its infancy. “When I started in Ethiopia’s startup ecosystem in 2018, very few people understood what a startup really was,” she explains. “Concepts like scalability, risk capital, and venture funding were still new.”
But Selam thrived in this nascent environment, eventually transitioning from agritech to gaming. She saw a massive gap in digital entertainment, particularly in Africa, and recognized the untapped potential of gaming as a tool for education, information-sharing, and community-building.
“Gaming is not just entertainment,” Selam asserts. “It’s an easy, engaging, and powerful tool for education, information-sharing, and community-building.” With this vision in mind, she launched Gomida Solutions, an ecosystem that blends the world of gaming with brand partnerships and influencer-driven marketing. Through Gomida, Selam brought to life House of Chewata, a play-to-earn gaming platform designed to make gaming accessible and rewarding for players in Ethiopia, Africa, and beyond.
Gomida Solutions
The creation of Gomida Solutions was driven by a clear need in the market. Selam was deeply aware that many young people in Ethiopia, especially, were drawn to gambling and betting due to the lack of skill-based and reward-driven digital entertainment. “I wanted to create a platform where users could play, learn, and earn, making gaming not just fun but also beneficial,” Selam shares.
This mission became the bedrock of Gomida Solutions, as she envisioned a digital ecosystem where players could not only engage with games but could also see tangible, real-world rewards for their participation.
Gomida Solutions is no ordinary gaming company. It serves as a super-platform for games, where developers can publish, promote, and monetize their creations, while players can discover a variety of games and enjoy skill-based challenges. “The gaming industry, especially mobile gaming, is a multi-billion-dollar global market, but in Ethiopia and much of Africa, it remains largely untapped,” Selam explains. With Gomida, she is helping to change that, offering a much-needed platform to both gamers and developers in the region.
This vision was not just about entertainment—it was about creating new opportunities for engagement, rewards, and financial growth. Through Gomida’s gaming ecosystem, she aims to address one of the key barriers in the gaming market: user acquisition and retention. In a market where great games often fail to reach their audience due to marketing and distribution challenges, Gomida is stepping in to make a difference. The platform provides the tools for developers to reach their players effectively while ensuring that users have access to a broad range of games that offer both enjoyment and tangible benefits.
Under Gomida Solutions, Selam’s team has also successfully launched several initiatives aimed at using gaming as a tool for social impact. One notable project was the creation of a game aimed at debunking conspiracy theories around vaccinations. The game was an instant hit, reaching 7,000 players who engaged with the content over 300,000 times.
“It was a clear example of how gaming can be used as an educational and awareness tool,” she shares proudly. The game’s success proves the powerful intersection of digital entertainment and education, demonstrating the potential of games to drive awareness, challenge misinformation, and bring about social change.
Another key project in the Gomida pipeline is an exciting hackathon for game developers, set to launch in February 2025. The hackathon will challenge participants to develop innovative, gamified solutions for pressing social issues. “This initiative is designed to support and promote innovative game developers while creating impactful digital solutions,” Selam explains. Through this event, Gomida Solutions is helping to foster a new generation of African game developers who are capable of addressing critical social challenges through technology.
The Road to Growth and Innovation
The journey hasn’t been without its challenges. Selam recalls the personal and professional hurdles that have tested her resilience. “Discipline and time management have always been struggles for me,” she admits. Despite battling procrastination, Selam has learned that consistency is key to long-term success. She also faced difficulties with co-founder dynamics and navigating the rapidly changing demands of the startup world.
“I had to make tough decisions to cut my losses when things weren’t progressing,” she reflects. But she didn’t let these challenges deter her; instead, she used each obstacle as a learning experience, pushing forward with renewed strength.
The external challenges were just as demanding. Ethiopia’s slow digital adoption and lack of infrastructure were major roadblocks when she first launched Gomida Solutions. “When I started, we didn’t even have digital payment solutions. Scaling a digital business was very difficult,” she shares. However, Selam’s vision remained steadfast, and she found creative ways to overcome these limitations. She continued to build partnerships, collaborate with local influencers, and adapt the platform to the local market’s needs.
Despite the challenges, Selam’s vision for Gomida Solutions continues to evolve. Today, Gomida Solutions represents much more than a platform for gaming—it is a hub for innovation, collaboration, and digital transformation in Ethiopia and beyond. And as Selam continues to explore new frontiers in the digital world, particularly with Web3 technology, the potential for tokenization and the creation of a global gaming economy becomes an exciting prospect.
Giving Back and Looking Forward
In addition to her work at Gomida Solutions, Selam is deeply committed to giving back to her community. She serves as the Chairperson of Sustain Force for Climate, focusing on environmental sustainability, and is a Youth Advisory Board member for the Ethiopian Youth Entrepreneur Association (EYEA). Through these roles, Selam continues to influence and mentor the next generation of leaders in Ethiopia.
“Entrepreneurship is all about action,” she advises aspiring business owners. “Start lean, test your product, and learn from your customers.” This philosophy has guided Selam throughout her career, and it remains her core belief. As she looks ahead, she plans to continue expanding Gomida Solutions, using the platform to create more opportunities, empower more individuals, and drive real-world impact through gaming and digital solutions.
Reflecting on her journey, Selam shares one final piece of wisdom: “The biggest competition is within. Once you master self-discipline, execution, and resilience, external challenges become easier to navigate.” Her story is a testament to the power of perseverance, innovation, and the belief that every challenge can be turned into an opportunity.
Selam Wondim’s journey is far from over, but one thing is clear—she is a force for change in Ethiopia, Africa, and the world. And as her work continues to grow, there’s no doubt that the impact of her innovations will be felt for years to come.
