ADDIS ABABA – Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) has praised the revitalization of the historic Wonji Sugar Factory, calling it a flagship example of how targeted reforms can restore industrial capacity and drive economic transformation.
During a visit to the factory site, the premier noted that Wonji Sugar has generated 8.7 billion Birr in income over the past nine months alone an impressive turnaround from its previously distressed state.
In a social media post following the visit, he commended the recovery, stating: “Wonji Sugar is now a symbol of what reform can achieve. Though it was established 70 years ago, without modernization and innovation, legacy alone means little. We must race against time with technology and bold action.”
Once crippled by heavy debt and unable to pay employee salaries, the factory has undergone a significant operational overhaul. As a result, daily production has skyrocketed from 1,500 quintals to 7,000 quintals. In addition to sugar, the factory has reintroduced “Desta” candy once a household name in Ethiopia after 14 years of market absence, rekindling childhood nostalgia for many.
Beyond sugar production, the factory has diversified its operations. It is now breeding livestock, producing 3,000 liters of milk daily, and supplying 20,000 eggs from its poultry farm—activities that contribute both to local food supply and economic sustainability.
“The reforms are not only about financial performance,” said the Prime Minister. “They are about building resilience, creating jobs, and reviving national pride in industrial capacity.”
The turnaround of Wonji Sugar is now being cited as a blueprint for other state-owned enterprises in Ethiopia. Prime Minister Abiy emphasized that similar reforms could unlock untapped potential across the country’s industrial sector. “If we act decisively today, we can leap over tomorrow’s challenges,” he said.
The success of Wonji Sugar Factory, one of Ethiopia’s oldest industrial establishments, demonstrates that with leadership, investment, and innovation, legacy institutions can become engines of growth in a modern economy.
BY YESUF ENDRIS
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 10 MAY 2025
