Mekelle፡Telaviv, Nairobi, Pretoria, London, (Tigray Herald).
SUWEZS Launches in Jigjiga: A Chinese Automotive Venture Accelerating Regional Development
By Staff Writer
A Chinese car assembling factory has begun assembling VICTORY AUTO and JETOUR vehicles in Jigjiga, marking a significant milestone in Ethiopia’s emerging automotive industry and showcasing the dividends of peace and stability in the Somali Regional State.
The factory, operated by VICTORY AUTO
SUWEZS Motors, is a Chinese automotive partner. Launched just a year ago, the assembly plant has already begun rolling out a range of Jetour vehicles, including hybrid cars, VICTORY AUTO mini trucks, minibuses, and minivans, with three models currently on offer.
According to factory engineers, the plant produces 8 to 10 vehicles per day, with most units destined for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s bustling capital. Each vehicle retails at around 5.1 million birr, positioning the cars competitively in the domestic market and signaling a growing demand for locally assembled vehicles.
“This project would not have been possible without the peace we’ve secured in the Somali region,” said one factory official. “Investment only follows stability, and now we’re seeing real transformation.”
The Jetour project is seen as part of Ethiopia’s broader industrialisation agenda that encourages regional investment, infrastructure, and employment, with a particular focus on areas historically excluded from industrial growth.
Jigjiga, once largely disconnected from Ethiopia’s industrial corridor, is now emerging as a symbol of inclusive development, aided by public-private partnerships and growing regional security. The factory is also expected to expand its workforce and vehicle models in the coming year, contributing to local job creation and skill development.
Analysts suggest SUWEZSMotors’ success could pave the way for more automotive investments across eastern Ethiopia, especially as demand for hybrid and electric vehicles continues to rise on the continent.
“This isn’t just about cars,” says the CEO of the factory “It’s about trust in the region, access to opportunity, and writing a new story for Somali regional development.”
The Jigjiga plant remains one of the few vehicle assembly operations in eastern Ethiopia and represents a key indicator of the shifting economic landscape in the Horn of Africa.
