Made in Ethiopia Movement Boosts Local Manufacturing, Drives Import Substitution: Ministry of Industry

Addis Ababa, March 12, 2026 (ENA)—The Made in Ethiopia movement is delivering tangible progress in strengthening domestic manufacturing and reducing reliance on imported goods, Tarekegn Bululta, State Minister of Industry said.

Speaking on the program’s performance, Tarekegn revealed that the national initiative has significantly improved the production capacity and competitiveness of local manufacturing industries.

The initiative is hugely contributing to the country’s broader efforts to substitute imports with locally produced goods, according to him.

Launched as a key component of Ethiopia’s industrialization strategy, the ‘Made in Ethiopia’ movement aims to strengthen domestic manufacturing, enhance export competitiveness, and encourage greater consumption of locally produced products.

The initiative is implemented by the Ethiopian Ministry of Industry and provides support to domestic manufacturers through policy incentives, technical assistance, and improved market access.

 It also focuses on increasing productivity, expanding industrial output, and boosting the manufacturing sector’s contribution to the national economy.

According to Tarekegn, the program has already led to notable improvements in industrial competitiveness, as well as in the quality and quantity of locally manufactured products.

Priority sectors under the initiative include textiles and garments, leather products, agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and construction materials.

The state minister further revealed that export performance of industrial products has grown by 40 percent over the past eight months, reflecting the increasing strength of Ethiopia’s manufacturing sector.

Officials also reported that manufacturing capacity utilization has risen significantly, increasing from 46 percent to 66.3 percent as a result of the initiative. This progress has enabled industries to save substantial foreign currency by replacing imported goods with locally manufactured alternatives while also creating new employment opportunities.

Meanwhile, the ministry announced the launch of a new website designed to expand the reach of the Made in Ethiopia Movement, facilitate information sharing, and manage registration for the upcoming 2018 Ethiopian Calendar “Made in Ethiopia” expo.

The expo, themed “Made in Ethiopia for All-encompassing sovereignty,” will take place from May 2–8, 2026 at the Addis International Convention Center in Addis Ababa.

More than 270 local and international manufacturers are expected to participate in the exhibition, with the entire registration process now fully digitalized.

To further promote the movement, a 10-kilometer grand public run will also be organized in collaboration with the Ethiopian Athletics Federation at Meskel Square.

The event is expected to attract over 17,000 participants and around 800 professional athletes.

Officials say the initiative is playing a critical role in strengthening Ethiopia’s industrial base, promoting a culture of consuming locally produced goods, and advancing the country’s economic self-reliance.