ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — The participation of local producers in Ethiopia's industrial parks has seen a significant increase to 55 percent, up from last year's 10 percent, as reported by the Industrial Parks Development Corporation. This growth is part of Ethiopia's broader strategy to become a leading manufacturing hub, with the government establishing 13 specialized industrial parks in fields such as textiles, agro-processing, and pharmaceuticals. The aim is to enhance the country's import substitution and export trade capabilities.

According to Ethiopian News Agency, CEO of the Industrial Parks Development Corporation, the manufacturing industry has been a focal point of Ethiopia's homegrown economic reform agenda. Over the past four years, several measures have been implemented to rejuvenate the sector. These measures include increasing the involvement of domestic producers in industrial parks, promoting the substitution of imported goods with locally manufactured ones, and establishing new business partnerships. Policy amendments have also been made to encourage producers within the parks to cater to both export and domestic markets.

Tadesse highlighted that all manufacturing spaces in the Bole Lemi, Adama, Dire Dawa, and Semera industrial parks are now fully occupied by investors. Efforts are underway to expand market destinations to America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. The next steps involve enhancing support for local investors, boosting exports, and broadening market access, aiming to further integrate Ethiopia's manufacturing sector into the global economy.

NANYUKI, Kenya — In a significant effort to mark World Wildlife Day, more than 200 volunteers, including university students and community-based environmental groups, collaborated with the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to remove approximately nine tons of waste from River Nanyuki in Laikipia County. The clean-up initiative forms part of a broader series of activities aimed at promoting wildlife conservation, culminating in a street procession and exhibition in Nanyuki Town.

According to Kenya News Agency, Rose Malenya, river pollution poses a critical challenge to water source conservation efforts. Despite the volunteers' considerable efforts, only a two-kilometer stretch of the river was cleaned, highlighting the severity of pollution in the area. Malenya emphasized the dire state of river pollution in Kenya, noting the significant amount of garbage collected, primarily consisting of plastic bottles and other non-biodegradable materials obstructing the river's flow.

River Nanyuki, a vital tributary of River Ewaso Nyiro, supports a wide array of wildlife species and is a crucial water source for the semi-arid northern Kenya region. The clean-up was part of the World Wildlife Day celebrations, under this year's theme 'Connecting people and planet—innovation for wildlife conservation'. KWS and its partners organized various activities throughout the week, focusing on the protection of major water towers in the mountain region, including tree planting initiatives in Mt. Kenya and Aberdare forests.

Malenya highlighted the importance of periodic clean-up exercises for the benefit of both the community and wildlife dependent on the river. She also mentioned the organization's efforts to engage students in wildlife and environmental conservation through visits to national parks and protected areas.

Participants of the clean-up exercise, including Dedan Kimathi University student Silvia Chemtai Ruto, called for a united effort among conservationists, development partners, and government agencies to combat the impacts of climate change. They stressed the importance of conserving water sources, emphasizing the interconnectedness of upstream and downstream river use.