Side Hustles Take Root Across Ethiopian Universities

Betselot Tadele, born and raised in the capital, is a fourth-year student at Addis Ababa University. The French language major tutors English and Math to elementary students on top of her own classes. She hopes to realize some degree of financial independence before graduation.

“As we grow older, our demands increase, and it’s not always possible for parents to meet them,” Betselot explains.

From transportation and school supplies to personal necessities, she realized early on that relying on family for everything was unsustainable. While her side income sources have helped to cover some of her expenses, it is far from enough to pay for everything. Balancing her studies with tutoring has also introduced a new set of challenges.

“Sometimes, all you want to do is call it a day,” she admits, reflecting on the exhaustion that often follows a long day of classes and work.

In Betselot’s social circle, side-hustling is the norm. Most of her peers’ juggle jobs or pursue additional degrees to support themselves or explore new opportunities. “It’s just how things are now,” she reflects. “If someone isn’t working, they’re probably tackling another degree. It’s like one degree isn’t enough anymore.” 

More than 460,000 students are currently enrolled in higher education institutions across the country. However, their career prospects might not be as straightforward as it once was. According to a 2022 report by the Ministry of Education, only 58 percent of university graduates get jobs in Ethiopia. The capital, Addis Ababa, has the highest unemployment rate in the country at 22.1%. 

"I've seen too many people struggling with unemployment to rely solely on my degree," says Surafel Matheos, a 21-year-old third-year computer science student at St. Mary’s University.

Surafel, who works as a gym instructor and personal trainer, found his side hustle out of both passion and necessity. His childhood love for sports, coupled with the desire for financial independence, motivated him to start working almost two years ago during his freshman year.

“Like many of my friends, I felt that relying on my parents for money wasn’t ideal,” he explains.

Additionally, he wanted to gain work experience before graduating, as he believed it would be easier to handle employment challenges while still in school rather than after graduation.

Surafel earns between 10,000 and 20,000 Ethiopian birr per month, when business is good. He uses his earnings to reinvest in further building his physical attributes, which in turn brings in more work.

However, juggling work and academics isn’t easy. Now entering his final year, the stress of balancing both is becoming more pronounced.

Ibrahim Hassen, a 22-year-old chemical and bioengineering student at Addis Ababa Institute of Technology, echoes a similar tone of financial freedom. Upon completing his 12th-grade entrance exams he realized it would be a long while before school started. Ibrahim started working as a delivery guy. It was a chance to save money for the things he wanted while enjoying a fresh sense of financial independence. 

“I liked not having to rely on allowances anymore,” he recalls. 

Once he began university, Ibrahim shifted his focus to refining his software skills—a passion he had nurtured for years. After two years of dedication to skill development, he finally began freelancing during his university break. Now, Ibrahim earns between 6,000 and 8,000 birr monthly, which he uses to cover school and living expenses.

Balancing the hustle with the demands of his studies hasn’t been easy. With a workload that includes ten courses this semester, Ibrahim often finds himself stretched thin. Time management has become a constant struggle, and unstable internet access sometimes adds to his frustrations. Despite these challenges, he prioritizes urgent tasks and ensures his work gets done, even if it means skipping classes. 

Most of Ibrahim’s peers, particularly the boys, have side hustles as well, though he notices it’s less common among the girls in his circle.

Through his experiences, Ibrahim has developed a deep sense of responsibility—not just for himself but for his family and friends who look to him for support.

“I feel the weight of my decisions now,” he says, reflecting on how his choices affect those around him.

This understanding has made him more intentional in his thought process, balancing his aspirations with the expectations of those who depend on him.

Despite it being uncommon in Ethiopia, college students working to cover tuition fees is a part of everyday life in most of the world.  Jobs nurture a sense of responsibility while preparing the students for the prospects of adulthood. 

Solomon Belay (PhD), a lecturer at Addis Ababa University and representative for the Bahá'í International Community at the African Union, believes working can help students acquire practical skills and supplement their academic knowledge. However, he stresses that education should remain a priority, as students risk compromising their learning when juggling multiple responsibilities.

Still, with Ethiopia experiencing double-digit inflation rates for the past few years everyday items have been rendered unaffordable for most. Colleges have not been spared from the brunt either as the Federal government budget of around 22 birr a day per student has made cafeteria meals a last resort. Students can no longer afford to wait on the monthly benefaction of their parents to pay for small luxuries like a meal at a restaurant. 

However, parents of side-hustling students often hold mixed views about their children's decision to balance work and studies. For some, like Betselot’s father, Tadele Kebede, the choice reflects a growing cultural shift, akin to Western norms where financial independence is encouraged early.

“It’s part of their growth,” Tadele remarks, emphasizing the life lessons learned through work.

However, other parents, like Surafel’s and Ibrahim’s, initially resisted, fearing that employment might distract from academics. Over time, seeing their children manage responsibilities effectively, they’ve come to appreciate the resilience and resourcefulness side hustles cultivate.

While tutoring, freelancing, ecommerce, and forex trading are among the most common side hustles for university students, close observers say these jobs require skills most students might not posse.

"Students have various opportunities to pursue side hustles online and through other means but making the most of them isn't easy—it requires the right mindset and skill set," says Anteneh, founder & CEO of Shega.  

He adds that while efforts are needed to empower students to seize these opportunities, side hustles remain the quickest way for students to develop soft skills, which are highly valued in the job market.

Career experts echo this sentiment, highlighting that the benefits of side hustles for students extend far beyond immediate income.

“Employers today value graduates with hands-on skills and experience, and we are working to equip students with necessary resources,” says Elroi from Dereja, a social enterprise dedicated to youth employment and capacity building.