Construction workers push trolleys around a project near completion in the Ayat area. Ethiopia's construction industry accounts for nearly a fifth of the nation's GDP while employing around three million people. A major contributor to the country's economy, it faces significant challenges in the provision of essential inputs like cement and reinforcement bars. The confluence of conflict disrupted production schedules and a production capacity that can barely meet the 30 million quintals demand has shot up cement prices severalfold in the last five years.