Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed today inaugurated the first phase of the Ogaden Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Project in Calub, Somali Region, simultaneously launching the far larger second phase.

The initial phase of the project boasts an annual production capacity of 111 million liters of LNG. The subsequent second phase is projected to dramatically increase this capacity by adding 1.33 billion liters per year.

Beyond LNG, the facility will significantly contribute to Ethiopias power grid, featuring an associated energy generation capacity of 1,000 megawatts.

Prime Minister Abiy emphasized the projects multi-faceted national importance, stating the plant is "not just a gas facility."It is designed to be a cornerstone of the nation's food sovereignty effortsby providing essential input for fertilizer production. Furthermore, it will supply critical resources for Ethiopia's energy sector and emerging crypto-mining initiatives.

In a statement posted on social media, PM Abiy confirmed the government's steadfast commitment to the region's development: "All the mega projects we inaugurated today in the Somali Region, collectively valued at USD 10 billion including associated infrastructure, will be carried through to completion, as we have always been committed to finishing what we start."