Ethiopian Enterprise Development (EED) has helped launch more than 2,700 small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises in just nine months—driving a wave of industrial growth and employment across the country. The institution presented its nine-month performance review to the Industry & Mining Affairs Standing Committee, stakeholders, and staff on April 16 in Adama. CEO Kelali Woldegebriel said the enterprise achieved 76pc of its target for new business formation and 98pc of its goal for workforce engagement. Of the 2,752 enterprises that went operational, over 10,000 received institutional support, generating jobs for more than 151,000 people. Through the Rural Industrialisation Initiative, 205 businesses were launched in districts with no prior industrial activity, opening up 1,525 positions and signalling a shift toward more inclusive growth. Existing enterprises are also scaling up. Nearly 1,000 small businesses transitioned into medium-sized firms, while 33 made the leap to large-scale operations—an encouraging sign of rising capacity in the sector. Kelali admitted that data management remains a weak link, but said upgrades are underway to close the gaps and ensure the enterprise push stays on track. The momentum, he added, reflects a broader commitment to sustainable and inclusive industrial development.
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