Ethiopia celebrated a historic and proud event today, marking the laying of the foundation stone for two transformative industrial projects: a major Urea Fertilizer Factory and the Gode Refinery Factory.

The cornerstone ceremony was a high-profile affair, attended by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed alongside Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote, Chairman of the Dangote Group, and other high-level officials and guests. The presence of these key figures underscored the strategic importance of these ventures. The projects are set to significantly boost the nation's industrial capacity and move it toward self-sufficiency in key sectors:

The Urea Fertilizer Factory is a collaborative effort between the Ethiopian Investment Holdingand the Dangote Group. It will be supplied with gas from the Calub field via a 108-kilometer pipeline and is projected to produce 3 million tons of fertilizer annually, critically reducing Ethiopia's reliance on expensive imports.

The Gode Refinery Factory, to be built by the Golden Concord Group, will process crude oil extracted from the Hilal oil field. It is designed to extract, refine, and store crude oil, with an annual production capacity of 3.5 million tons.

The government emphasized that these projects represent more than just industrial expansion. They illustrate a shared national responsibilityto seize opportunities, strengthen collaboration, and consolidate peace.

A call was issued for all Ethiopians to strengthen their unity and collective action for development, noting that by doing so, the country will elevate its standing on the world stage in a manner that honors the true spirit of the Ethiopian identity.