Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) stated that Ethiopia has reached a critical milestone in increasing the value of its resources and strengthening its industrial capacity.

The Prime Minister added that the gold refinery, the first of its kind being built in the country, will be completed and inaugurated within the next few months. Recalling that Ethiopia has been limited to exporting raw gold until now, he explained that the factory currently under construction will resolve the challenges related to value addition in the sector.

The factory, whose construction is expected to be completed and ready for inauguration by the end of June, will create significant capacity to supply gold produced domestically and in the region to the market at a better price with added value.

On the other hand, the Prime Minister emphasized that pipeline construction is crucial to temporarily reduce the logistics and transport challenges Ethiopia faces due to being landlocked. He explained that if a fuel pipeline is laid from Djibouti to Dire Dawa, it would be possible to directly deliver fuel that is currently transported by tankers. He indicated that since this would significantly reduce wasted time, cost, and hardship, focus will be given to gas and fuel pipeline installations in the future.

He further noted that the "Ethiopia Tamrit" (Made in Ethiopia) movement is achieving great results in increasing domestic production and solving industrial bottlenecks. The Prime Minister assured that the government will continue to strengthen its support to enable Ethiopians to become industrial owners and to participate extensively in domestic production by properly utilizing the country’s natural gas and mineral resources.