Addis Ababa, October 3, 2025 (FMC) — Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) said Ethiopia is determined to reclaim and surpass its industrial past with the construction of a 3.5 million-ton oil refinery and a massive urea fertilizer plant in the Somali Region.
Reflecting on Ethiopia’s industrial history, PM Abiy noted that in the 1960s, the country built an oil refinery at the port of Assab with a capacity of 500,000 metric tons, which was later expanded to 800,000 metric tons. However, the refinery was left unused following the loss of the port, a “regrettable” outcome for patriotic Ethiopians.
“Today, we are turning that setback into progress,” the Prime Minister said. “The new refinery alone will produce 3.5 million metric tons — more than four times what we lost in the past. This is how we correct past mistakes and reclaim our industrial sovereignty.”
PM Abiy emphasized that Ethiopia must gather the fruits of its development rather than scatter them, urging citizens to move beyond past grievances and work collectively to build a better country for future generations. “Ethiopians, let us rise from chaos and make Ethiopia a better country for our children through such monumental projects,” he said.
The Prime Minister reiterated that national prosperity requires both diligent work and resilience in the face of criticism. “We start; we work hard; we finish. They lie, we work; they talk, we act. We will ensure prosperity in all our works,” PM Abiy stated.
With these initiatives, Ethiopia aims to enhance energy self-sufficiency, strengthen the industrial sector, and improve living standards, ensuring that large-scale development benefits every citizen across the country.