Ozan Semerci, Founder of Birnehigo Agro Industry PLC & Rixos Trading PLC

True journeys don’t begin in boardrooms or lecture halls—they take root beneath wide open skies, where hard work is woven into the fabric of daily life and dreams are nurtured in the quiet moments. In places where life moves slower but teaches faster, character is carved not by comfort, but by challenge. It’s often in these humble beginnings that true leaders are shaped—not by titles, but by tenacity. Through seasons of struggle and moments of quiet clarity, some discover that success isn’t handed over; it’s built, day by day, often from nothing but vision and sheer will.

From such soil rises a story worth telling. One of resilience, reinvention, and the belief that every sunrise brings a fresh start. And in that space between where one is planted and where dreams take shape, some build bridges instead of waiting for roads. Meet one such visionary, Ozan Semerci, the founder of Rixos Trading and Birnehigo Agro Industry. Raised in Denizli, Turkey, his roots run deep in farming and business. His father managed a local wine factory, while the family worked the land—lessons in labor and discipline woven into daily life.

After studying tourism, he climbed the ranks in hospitality, becoming assistant sales manager at a five-star hotel in his early twenties. But the goal was never just a career—it was ownership, leadership, and building something his own. In 2006, he left it all behind for Ethiopia. There is no safety net, just vision and determination. The early years tested everything, but he never stopped believing: that tomorrow is another day.

Beyond the Barcode

Some chase markets. Others answer them. For Ozan Semerci, the mission behind Rixos Trading and Birnehigo Agro Industry was never about joining the crowd—it was about raising the bar. While many were exporting/doing what was available, he focused on what was required. Quality wasn’t a suggestion; it was the cornerstone. Every client came with a specific need. His job is to match it—precisely, reliably, and on time.

That obsession with timing and detail became the company’s edge. But it didn’t stop at trade. Ozan saw a deeper void—value addition. Ethiopia, one of the world’s top sesame producers, had no tahini or halva factories. The idea struck a nerve. So he built one. From scratch. For export. For impact. “We’re not here to sell what we have. We’re here to deliver what the world is looking for,” And just like that, Rixos and Birnehigo wasn’t only filling a gap—it was rewriting the game plan.

Bricks, Not Band-Aids

Nothing about building Rixos Trading and Birnehigo Agro came easy. The biggest struggle wasn’t capital or even competition—it was people. Not just hiring hands, but finding hearts. Those who believed in something bigger than a paycheck were few and far between. “The hardest thing isn’t building systems—it’s building people who believe in them,” shares Ozan.

And then there were the waves that came from outside—conflicts flaring in parts of the country, shaking the rhythm of business. It didn’t just affect shipments or schedules. It tested patience. It tested vision. But Ozan kept going.

He made sure no one felt like just a number. Everyone in the company, from the office to the field, gets a seat at the table. Quarterly meetings turn into real conversations. If someone’s struggling—even outside of work—he listens. He shows up. Because here, growth isn’t top-down. It’s shoulder to shoulder.

The Power of the We

Success feels different when everyone has a stake in it. That’s the quiet force behind Rixos Trading And Birnehigo Agro. A company where the contribution isn’t just recognized—it’s rewarded. Ozan Semerci didn’t want a business that worked for people. He wanted one that worked because of them. So, he built a culture rooted in shared ownership. Every sale, every win, trickles back to the people behind it. From managers to warehouse teams, everyone gets a percentage. It’s not a bonus. It’s the blueprint.

“Our core DNA is simple. It’s sharing—not in theory, but in practice,” Ozan asserts. That principle changes everything. Quality isn’t just a KPI, it’s a personal reflection. Satisfied clients mean more than good business. They mean everyone wins. That’s how high standards become a habit, not just a checklist.

And when people feel seen, heard, and rewarded—they don’t just show up. They show up stronger. This isn’t just a company. It’s a system built on trust, ownership, and a belief that when you grow together, you grow faster.

Where Vision Takes Root

Rixos was never just about today—it was always about what’s possible. With agro-commodity exports and green coffee processing already in motion, Ozan Semerci’s eyes are fixed on value. Real value. Not in volume, but in transformation. Ethiopia’s resources are vast—but underused. Rixos plans to change that. One factory. One field. One bold step at a time.

New agro-processing ventures. Farming projects. More facilities like the state-of-the-art Tahini, Halva, and Hulled Sesame plant. The goal is simple—convert potential into prosperity. But beyond growth charts and exports, Ozan dreams bigger. “I want Rixos and Birnehigo to be proof that Ethiopia can build, process, and lead,” he explains.

When asked if he’d do anything differently, Ozan doesn’t flinch. He leans in with clarity: no rearview mirrors. “Looking back only wastes time. I’d rather face forward,” he expresses. His advice to young entrepreneurs is just one word. Dream. That’s where everything begins. Because at Rixos, impact isn’t just measured in tons. It’s measured in minds inspired, hands employed, and futures unlocked. This isn’t the end of the story. It’s the next harvest.