Ethiopia’s Chemical Industry Corporation Generates Over 5.9 Billion Birr in Revenue

Addis Ababa, August 11, 2025 (ena) -- The Ethiopian Chemical Industry Corporation reported revenue of 5.98 billion Birr from its industrial chemical products during the 2017 Ethiopian fiscal year, a 7% increase compared to the previous year.

Hundessa Desalegn, CEO of the corporation,  told the Ethiopian ENA that the corporation has significantly reduced the country’s foreign currency expenditure by producing local alternatives to previously imported chemical inputs.

As a key development partner, the corporation supplies essential chemical inputs to critical sectors, including agriculture, healthcare, construction, and manufacturing.

Among its locally produced chemicals are high-quality sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide, vital for the medical, hygiene, leather, textile, and soap industries.

The CEO also announced that the corporation has begun domestic production of aluminum sulfate, which was previously imported in full.

Hundessa emphasized the corporation’s role in strengthening the national economy by reducing import dependency through the local production of chemicals.

Additionally, the corporation has started producing agrochemicals to support Ethiopia’s goal of achieving food sovereignty.

These products include 22 types of locally made chemicals, such as herbicides, pesticides, and wheat germ protection agents that comply with international standards set by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). These chemicals are now accessible to Ethiopian farmers.

Despite past challenges, including high debt levels and operational losses, the corporation has undergone significant reforms that have restored its profitability.

Since the implementation of these reforms, the corporation has experienced consistent growth in both revenue and profit, the CEO noted.