By Asha Elmi - Reporter
Jigjiga, 16 September 2026 Ethiopia’s Somali Regional State has pledged to support investment in manufacturing and the green economy by helping investors access essential infrastructure and public services.
Deputy President Ibrahim Osman Farah announced the commitment at the launch on Tuesday of Som-Eco Waste Solutions and Recycling, a company that will collect, manage and recycle dry waste in the regional capital, Jigjiga.
The company, founded by women from the Somali diaspora, is expected to reduce waste, improve urban sanitation and create employment opportunities.
Farah said the regional administration would help industrial investors obtain electricity, water, roads and access to markets, describing those services as crucial to the growth of manufacturing.
He said industrial projects require substantial capital, skilled workers and long-term commitment but remain essential for expanding production and creating jobs.
Related articles
Farah urged Som-Eco to extend its operations to other major cities across the region to help reduce waste and improve urban cleanliness.
More than 430 factories have been established in the region since Ethiopia’s political transition, Farah said. The administration also plans to develop industrial centres in Jigjiga, Godey and Shinile.
Agriculture is another major part of the region’s development strategy. Farah said the region has about 10.5 million hectares suitable for rain-fed farming and 2.4 million hectares that could be cultivated through irrigation.
About 2.5 million hectares are currently under cultivation, producing roughly 53 million quintals annually, he said.
Neither the company nor the regional administration disclosed the value of the recycling investment or the number of jobs it is expected to create.