Export Standard Gelila Shoes Factory Inaugurated in Ethiopia

ADDIS ABABA: Gelila Shoe Factory, a new manufacturing facility aimed at bolstering Ethiopia’s manufacturing industry and export capabilities, was inaugurated today at the Bole Lemi Industrial Park. The factory represents a significant investment in Ethiopia’s economic development and is expected to create thousands of jobs.

According to Ethiopian News Agency, the Gelila Shoe Factory was constructed at a cost of 2.1 billion Birr and spans 7,000 square meters. Once fully operational, the facility will have the capacity to produce 4,000 pairs of shoes daily, generating employment for 4,000 individuals. Alemayehu Seifu, Corporate Resource Management Deputy CEO at the Industrial Parks Development Corporation (IPDC), noted the factory’s potential to elevate the standards of Ethiopia’s leather industry and encouraged both local and international investors to take advantage of investment opportunities in the country’s industrial parks.

This inauguration highlights Ethiopia’s expanding manufacturing capabilities and
its strategy to diversify the national economy. The Gelila Shoe Factory is expected to contribute to economic growth by generating foreign currency through exports, particularly to European markets, and supporting the country’s homegrown economic reform efforts.

Berhe Asfa, founder and CEO of Gelila Manufacturing PLC, expressed gratitude for the support from government and private sector entities. He emphasized the factory’s dual focus on serving both domestic and international markets, reinforcing Ethiopia’s position in the global manufacturing landscape.