ADDIS ABABA - Gerd Müller, Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), met Abiy Ahmed, Ethiopia’s Prime Minister, and Melaku Alebel, Minister of Industry, to discuss cooperation.

UNIDO has been actively involved in Ethiopia since 1968, implementing more than 300 projects covering a wide range of technical assistance, including vocational training, cluster building and value chain development.

Müller’s discussion with Prime Minister Abiy took in UNIDO’s Programme for Country Partnership (PCP) for Ethiopia, which focuses on three light manufacturing sectors: food processing; textiles and apparel; and leather and leather products, sectors selected for job creation and export potential, strong linkages to the agricultural sector, and capacity to attract private sector investment.

Industry minister Melaku expressed his government’s appreciation of UNIDO’s support for the development of four integrated agro-industrial parks (IAIPs), from project inception to implementation and operationalization. He also voiced interest in UNIDO feasibility studies for a further three IAIPs.

The minister also commended UNIDO on its contribution to the development of the country’s leather and textile industry sectors, “especially the technical support provided to develop capacities which is helping in the development of the Ethiopian economy, and has created an opportunity for our country to achieve its industrial development goals”.

Müller and Melaku agreed to collaborate on the "Let Ethiopia Produce" movement, launched in May 2022, which aims to revitalize the industrial sector. Müller stated that UNIDO will work with the Ministry of Industry to promote industry through robust and persistent promotion and other activities to attract investors to the IAIPs.

Müller noted that there are numerous market opportunities and favourable conditions for foreign investors in the Ethiopian manufacturing sector, and that investors can be successful not only in Ethiopia but can also prosper by accessing the wider African market.

The UNIDO Director General highlighted the importance of the leather and coffee value chains originating in Ethiopia, and stressed the need for sustainability standards and fair trade.