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Mersha Nahusenay | |
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 Mersha Nahusenay around 1900 | |
| Born | c. 1850 Shewa, Ethiopia |
| Died | c. 1937 (aged 86–87) Harar, Ethiopia |
| Nationality | Ethiopian |
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| Known for | Pioneering Contributions to the modernization of Ethiopia |
Mersha Nahusenay (c. 1850 – c. 1937) was an Ethiopian reformist and pioneer of change who made important contributions to the modernization and independence of Ethiopia. One of the closest advisors to Emperor Menelik II, he went on to become the first governor of Dire Dawa, and surrounding areas (1902–1905). Prior to that he was governor of the strategic and frontier district of Jaldessa (Gildessa) and its environ where he also held the key position of Head of Customs. His public career lasted over three decades from the time of Menelik II (referred to in historical records as Menilek) until the reign of Haile Selassie. Mersha understood French and was open to European ideas of progress earning him admiration abroad. His most enduring legacy is perhaps the supervision of the day to day activities of the construction, maintenance and security of the first railroad which he oversaw at the request of Menilek. Mersha belongs to a generation of Ethiopians who took advantage of the relative stability of the late 19th – early 20th century to implement a series of wide-ranging political, military, economic and social reforms, paving the way to the founding of present-day Ethiopia.