Addis Ababa, August 23, 2025 (FMC) — Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) announced that Ethiopia’s largest modern gold facility, the Kurmuk Gold Factory in Benishangul-Gumuz, is set to begin production at half capacity next year, a landmark step expected to generate up to 1 billion dollars annually and reinforce the country’s strategic development agenda.
During his visit to the facility, located about 100 kilometers from Assosa, Abiy described the factory as a flagship project in Ethiopia’s mining sector. Covering over 20 square kilometers, the site includes three dams and residential camps accommodating thousands of workers.
“By next year, half of the factory’s capacity will go into production,” the Prime Minister said, highlighting the fast-paced progress and the wide gold potential of the region. Once fully operational, the Kurmuk Gold Factory will place Ethiopia among the leading gold producers in East Africa.
Abiy emphasized that the project goes beyond revenue generation. Equipped with advanced technology, it will enable Ethiopia to process and sell gold independently, while fostering knowledge transfer and expertise within the mining sector.
“The Kurmuk Gold Factory marks a major milestone in Ethiopia’s strategic development agenda,” he said, underlining that mining is a key pillar of the country’s multi-sectoral growth vision. While such projects are vital, the Prime Minister noted that Ethiopia’s prosperity strategy also leverages agriculture, tourism, and other sectors, with Benishangul-Gumuz proving to be a significant contributor to this broader development plan.
“The facility is a solid building block for national prosperity, and its completion will extend benefits across the entire region,” Abiy concluded.