If Anyone Understands Social Media, It’s Mensur Jemal

November 9, 2026 | By Faisale Shefawe

One Sunday morning four years ago, Mensur Jemal, a businessman who would later become a popular social media influencer, left his house and drove straight to a nearby car wash, something he did every morning. While waiting for his car to be washed, an older woman who appeared distressed approached him and asked if he could give her some money for food and shelter. Feeling sorry for the woman, Mensur pulled out all the money he had and handed it to her. But he didn't stop there. With the woman standing beside him, Mensur recorded a video asking others to help her and posted it on TikTok. The video received more than 2 million views and raised a significant amount of money for the woman. For Mensur, it was the beginning of an unexpected journey into social media fame, bringing him opportunities and recognition he had never imagined.

Born and raised in Illubabor, a region more than 300 miles from Addis Ababa, Mensur had spent much of his life waiting for an opportunity that would propel him toward success, wealth, and influence. “My father knew I was destined for greatness,” Mensur said. “He had done everything in his power to make sure I would become a successful man.” When he moved to Addis Ababa in 2006, Mensur started driving a truck to make ends meet. At the same time, he paid close attention to how successful local businessmen made their money. He credits the city's businessmen and entrepreneurs with teaching him to be strong, focused, and determined. “Addis Ababa helped shape who I am. It taught me to be strong, adaptable, and determined to work toward my goals,” Mensur said.

Once Mensur became familiar with city life and established business connections, he decided it was time to start his own company. In 2009, he established Financier Consulting Group, attracting investors, primarily from the Middle East, who were interested in investing in Ethiopia. Around the same time, Mensur ventured into another business that would eventually change the trajectory of his life. By the end of 2009, the movie industry in Addis Ababa was lucrative for those who understood how it operated. Mensur saw an opportunity and went for it. His new movie company went on to produce films, including the popular Yesteoch Guday. But his success in the entertainment industry came with challenges. “The movie business had brought me a lot of heat from the government at that time,” Mensur said. “When they kept pressuring me, I left the country and went to Italy in 2010.”

Mensur would not return to Ethiopia until 2018, when newly appointed Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed encouraged Ethiopians living abroad to return home and invest in the country. During those eight years abroad, Mensur lived in Italy, spent a brief period in Norway, started a business in Uganda, and lived in Indonesia for six years. When Mensur returned to Addis Ababa to restart his life, he discovered that much had changed. The city looked different. New buildings, coffee shops, and restaurants had transformed the capital. But what surprised him most was how people were spending more time scrolling through Facebook and Instagram than watching television. “I saw social media mainly as a way for people to communicate. Later, after that Sunday morning event, I recognized its power to influence people, build trust, and create business opportunities,” Mensur said.

That remarkable Sunday morning in 2022 changed Mensur's life. The video brought him extraordinary attention and opened doors to opportunities he had never anticipated. It also gave him a powerful platform to expand his business interests, including attracting foreign investors to Ethiopia, something he had been doing years before becoming a social media influencer. And Mensur continues to demonstrate his understanding of what attracts attention on social media. A few weeks ago, in October, Mensur posted a video on Instagram showing himself stepping out of a freshly washed car, dressed sharply as usual. He asked his followers a simple question: If you like me, comment 1. If you don't like me, comment 2. And if you don't want to see me anymore, comment 3. Just like that, the video attracted more than 700,000 views and over 8,000 comments. Most of the people commenting chose number 1.

Source: FSX Business News