The Greek community in Sudan (1843-2019)

The Greek community in Addis Ababa in the late 19th century

(Excerpt from the book ‘The Greek presence in the horn of Africa’)

In the 1890s, the emperor of Ethiopia, Menelik II, decided to transfer the capital on Mount Entoto. This was the starting point for the building of Addis Ababa (lit. new flower). This decision demanded the presence of the appropriate skillful workforce. Several Greeks took part in several construction projects including streets, bridges, buildings and churches. Apart from the construction field, lots of Greeks were engaged in trade. Therefore, some of them were members of the local government such as Kleanthis Moschopoulos, who had been appointed as Head of State Security and Vassilis Diamandouros, who was the Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce.

Emmanuel family: From Tenedos to Suez and Tanganyika, in the early 1900s

Emmanuel family: From Tenedos to Suez and Tanganyika, in the early 1900s

(Excerpt from the book ‘The Greek community in Tanzania’)

One of the typical stories of the Greeks settled in the Kilimanjaro area during the early 1900s is that of Gregory Emmanuel. Emmanuel was born in Tenedos Island and was working as an engineer for the Suez Canal Company. In Alexandria, he met his friend Meimaridis who was also from Tenedos. At that time, coffee cargo was being landed in Mombasa and transported by train to Voi in Tanganyika. Meimaridis had purchased a steam traction engine and intended to take over the heavy transport business between Voi and Moshi on the slopes of Kilimanjaro, a distance of about 90 miles. Meimaridis offered a partnership to Emmanuel and for the next years they carried building materials and other heavy freight around the Moshi area. Later, Emmanuel worked as a constructor for the railway and then as a farmer. Today the 4th generation of Emmanuel family still lives on the slopes of Kilimanjaro.

Loizos family: A route from Cyprus to Egypt and Sudan, in the late 19th century

Loizos family: A route from Cyprus to Egypt and Sudan, in the late 19th century

(Excerpt from the book ‘The Greek community in Sudan’)

During the 1890s, a few Greek traders who used to live in Egypt expanded their business to Sudan. One of them was Aristides Loizos. In 1876, he left Cyprus and immigrated to Egypt. A decade later he settled in Sudan followed by his brothers Petros, Michael, Nikos and Konstantinos. They set up a trade business in Wadi Halfa and later throughout Sudan. In 1905, they also owned the ‘Grand Hotel’, one of the oldest hotels of Sudan.