118 Rural Districts Integrated into the Manufacturing Sector Within Six Months
EED (Arba Minch, January 23, 2026)
The Ethiopian Enterprise Development (EED) announced that 118 rural districts were newly introduced to the manufacturing sector during the first six months of the 2018 Fiscal Year, as part of the implementation of the Rural Industrialization Initiative.
EED disclosed this during a review discussion held with regional sector executives and key stakeholders to assess the six-month performance of the Rural Industrialization Initiative.
Speaking at the forum, Mr. Abebe Belay, Coordinator of the Rural Industrialization Initiative, stated that 243 small and medium manufacturing enterprises were established in rural districts where no manufacturing activities previously existed. He noted that this effort is significantly expanding the industrial base in rural areas.
As a result, 5,389 rural residents have gained new non-agricultural employment opportunities. Mr. Abebe emphasized that this achievement plays a vital role in improving rural livelihoods, reducing poverty, and minimizing rural-to-urban migration.
He further explained that the Rural Industrialization Initiative focuses on creating and expanding small and medium enterprises suited to rural settings by utilizing locally available raw materials, knowledge, skills, and labor, thereby promoting inclusive and sustainable industrial development.
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