Ethiopia to Launch Gold Refinery, Boosting Manufacturing Growth

April 8, 2018

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has disclosed that Ethiopia will inaugurate its first Gold Refinery within the next two to three months, marking a milestone in the nation’s industrial transformation. 

The refinery is expected to maximize Ethiopia’s growing gold production, ending the longstanding challenge of exporting raw gold in bulk and significantly increasing foreign exchange earnings.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the refinery will add value to Ethiopia’s mineral exports, while broader infrastructure projects are positioning the country as a manufacturing hub. Central to this vision is the Bishoftu International Airport, currently under construction, which is set to become a major aviation hub in Africa and strengthen Ethiopia’s logistics capacity.

Clean energy remains another pillar of Ethiopia’s industrial transformation. With the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, the Koysha development project, and a newly launched nuclear program, the country is advancing competitive energy solutions to power its industries. 

The Government’s manufacturing policy prioritizes solar, electronics, aerospace, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals. By simplifying credit access and strengthening market linkages, it encourages private sector growth. 

In this regard 2.6 million Ethiopians hold business licenses, underscoring the state’s commitment to shifting industrial activity from public enterprises toward private initiatives, fostering innovation, competitiveness, and sustainable economic transformation across strategic sectors.

Prime Minister Abiy underscored that Ethiopia’s industrial future rests on three pillars, valueadded production, clean energy, and demographic advantage. Together, these strategies are designed to ensure Ethiopia toward its goal of becoming a leading manufacturing center in Africa.