Ethiopia to Inaugurate Ceramic Factories Expected to Meet 100% of Local Demand, PM Says

EBR_News May 4, 2026

Betegbar Yaregal

Ethiopia is preparing to inaugurate new ceramic manufacturing plants expected to fully meet domestic demand and reduce reliance on imported construction materials, in a move aimed at easing logistics constraints and supporting industrial growth.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced the development during the opening of the Ethiopia Tamirt Expo in Addis Ababa, indicating that at least two ceramic factories will begin operations in the near term.

Abiy stated that the country has long relied on imported stone and ceramic products, which, combined with underdeveloped logistics, slowed down construction projects. “For years, Ethiopia has been importing stones. With that situation and poor logistics, it was impossible to accelerate construction as needed,” he said.

The Prime Minister noted that 96 new product types have been identified for local production. Using ceramics as an example, he said the upcoming factories will not only satisfy domestic demand but also expand into porcelain, granite, and marble production in the future.

“These ceramic companies will meet 100 percent of Ethiopia’s demand. We must upgrade these ceramic manufacturers to produce porcelain, granite, and marble. We should no longer carry stones. Since the raw materials are available in Ethiopia, it is expected of you to identify and produce them,” Abiy told manufacturers.

Ethiopia Imports of Ceramic products was US$74.32 Million during 2023, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade.

The announcement aligns with the government’s Homegrown Economic Reform program, which identifies manufacturing as one of five economic pillars. The Ethiopia Tamirt Expo, running for five days, is expected to facilitate over 5 billion birr in transactions, according to the Ministry of Industry.

Abiy also challenged local manufacturers to shift focus from merely producing to exporting, urging them to form clusters or partner with the government to establish a presence in at least five to ten selected African countries.