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Ethiopia: Somali Regional President Mustafe Omer opens first car assembly plant in Jigjiga City

A view of the car assembly plant that was opened on May 14, 2024, in the Jigjiga City of Ethiopia's Somali Region. (Photo: X/Mustafe M. Omer)

By Amina Wako | 14 May 2024 20:07

The plant, which cost 250 million Birr (Sh568.1 million), is the first of its kind in the region and can assemble 10 cars per day.

The Somali Regional State of Ethiopia officially inaugurated its first car assembly plant in the city of Jigjiga on Tuesday, a ceremony led by the area's leader, President Mustafe Omer.

The plant, which cost 250 million Birr (Sh568.1 million), is the first of its kind in the region and can assemble 10 cars per day.

Mustafe noted that the plant is one of about 300 small, medium, and large industries that have created jobs in the region in the last six years.

He emphasised the significance of investment projects like the car assembly factory in reducing foreign currency demand.

He also praised private investors for their contributions to the region's economic growth through the nearly 300 industries, writing on X that, “The private sector’s contribution to the economy of the region is increasing from year to year."

Inaugurated the first car assembly plant in Jigjiga. This is one among ~ 300 industries( small, medium & large) that are creating jobs in the region in the last 6 years. The private sector’s contribution to the economy of the region is increasing from year to year. pic.twitter.com/EHBoRIrz6v
— Mustafe M. Omer (@Mustafe_M_Omer) May 14, 2024

The regional administrator further reaffirmed the government's commitment to supporting the private sector and expressed optimism about the plant's prospects.

The plant has already created 100 jobs, with plans for further expansions expected to lead to more employment opportunities in the region.