Italian apparel brand Calzedonia opens factory in Ethiopia

Italian fashion brand Calzedonia recently opened a factory in Mekelle in northern Ethiopia in what is reportedly being cited as first business venture in Africa. 

The factory’s location is close to neighbouring Eritrea’s Massawa port and is expected to contribute to regional economic growth, according to the Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (EBC).

The Mekelle Industrial Park was set up in 2017 at a cost of $100 million.

The factory employs around 1,000 people and is currently exporting 22 million Ethiopian birr (US$789,000) worth of products every month, Ethiopian media reported quoting a statement by the Fana Broadcasting Corporation.