Eng. Tigst Abadi Gugsa

Professional Summary

Ethiopian Senior Engineering Geologist, Hydrogeologist, Geotechnical Engineer, Material Engineer, lecturer, researcher, and water infrastructure specialist with more than 16 years of high-level professional experience. Eng. Tigst Abadi Gugsa has contributed to major groundwater, water supply, irrigation, dam, canal, road, bridge, building foundation, and water well drilling projects across Ethiopia. Her career combines deep field experience, academic leadership, consulting practice, research, laboratory testing, geophysical investigation, groundwater assessment, geotechnical design support, and construction supervision. She has worked as a university lecturer at Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, Senior Hydrogeologist with WaterAid Ethiopia and Hydrosphere Consulting Engineers PLC, Engineering Geologist and Geotechnical/Material Engineer with Engineering Corporation of Oromia, Team Leader and Hydrogeologist in water well drilling enterprises, and General Manager / Senior Geotechnical Engineer / Hydrogeologist in water works contracting. Her profile represents strong African women’s engineering leadership in groundwater development, geotechnical safety, sustainable water supply, infrastructure resilience, and applied earth-science solutions for communities.

Key Expertise

Major Projects and Contributions

• Lecturer and Researcher – Addis Ababa Science and Technology University
  Serves as lecturer in the geology department, developing course materials, teaching, mentoring students, supporting research, participating in academic governance, and contributing to engineering geology, geotechnical investigation, silica sand evaluation, pavement test pit impact assessment, and engineering geological mapping research.
• Senior Hydrogeologist – WaterAid Ethiopia
  Worked as Senior Hydrogeologist supporting hydrogeological investigation, groundwater resource assessment, groundwater quality evaluation, hydrogeological mapping, aquifer testing, technical reporting, stakeholder communication, and water well drilling work for Bure Town and surrounding water supply in West Gojam Zone, Ethiopia.
• Senior Hydrogeologist – Hydrosphere Consulting Engineers PLC
  Conducted hydrogeological investigation and mapping in the Omo and Bale areas for water supply and irrigation projects, including groundwater assessment, hydrogeological data interpretation, geophysical data review, modelling support, and technical reporting.
• Engineering Geologist, Geotechnical Engineer and Material Engineer – Engineering Corporation of Oromia
  Led and supported geotechnical, engineering geological, and construction material investigations for major infrastructure projects including Geda Economic Zone roads and bridges, Lower Dedhessa Mega Canal, Arjo Dedhessa dam and spillway foundation, Gololcha and Hawi Gudina irrigation canals, Gelana and Gololcha design review, Lower Awash and Sheffe dams and canals, and water supply reservoir and pipeline sites at Asela, Burayu, and Gelan.
• Water Well Drilling Team Leader and Supervisor – Amhara Water Well Drilling Enterprise
  Supervised and managed water well drilling teams, drilling logistics, site assessments, groundwater evaluation, borehole construction quality, water quality sampling, drilling safety, equipment use, stakeholder communication, and reporting for shallow and deep well projects across Ethiopia.
• ONE WASH, Co-WASH and UNICEF Water Well Drilling Projects
  Participated in major rural water supply drilling projects including 27 shallow wells in Mekdella Amba, 18 shallow wells in Kemisse, 24 shallow wells in Kelela, 12 shallow wells in Bati, Gerba and Degan, 21 shallow wells in Benishangul-Gumz, and multiple deep wells for Gayint, Minjar-Shenkora, Melka-Jillo, Akasta, Mekane-Selam, Sayint and Woreelu areas.
• Irrigation Development and Deep Groundwater Projects in Afar
  Contributed to the Teru-Suneta irrigation development project involving 46 deep water wells in Afar, supporting groundwater development, drilling supervision, water supply reliability, and irrigation-oriented groundwater infrastructure.
• Geotechnical Investigation for Dams, Canals and Irrigation Infrastructure
  Worked on geotechnical investigations and reviews for dam foundations, spillways, main canals, cross drainage structures, weirs, reservoirs, pipelines, and associated irrigation infrastructure in Wollega, Bale, Harerge, Shewa, Sheger, and other Ethiopian project areas.
• General Manager and Senior Water Works Contractor
  Leads and supports water infrastructure contracting, including planning, feasibility assessment, regulatory compliance, construction supervision, quality control, budgeting, stakeholder communication, water supply schemes, borehole drilling, hybrid solar-generator systems, sanitation and hygiene facilities, and emergency response for water infrastructure projects.
• Water Supply Construction Projects
  Contributed to Wulanta rural gravity water supply scheme, Jara Town water supply system, Buriya borehole drilling and hybrid solar-generator water supply system, and Ambo-Mesk multi-village water supply, sanitation, and hygiene facilities for schools.
• Material Engineering and Road Geotechnics – Yegna Road Construction PLC
  Worked as Material Engineer and Geotechnical Engineer on road construction projects, including material selection, asphalt and concrete aggregate testing, pavement design support, construction quality control, rehabilitation recommendations, cost estimation, documentation, and compliance with construction standards.
• Research on Groundwater, Pavement Geotechnics and Industrial Minerals
  Participated in research including groundwater potential assessment of the Borkena Basin, geotechnical evaluation and impact assessment of refilled pavement test pits in Addis Ababa road networks, and economic evaluation of silica sand occurrence from sandstone units in the Jemma Basin, Central Ethiopia.