Stepping into a bustling footwear factory in Addis Ababa, you’d never guess it’s been quietly transforming lives for over a decade. A Chinese manufacturer here has created 8,000 local jobs since 2012 – that’s enough people to fill a major league soccer stadium!
More Than Just Shoes
‘This is just the beginning,’ says one manager, grinning like someone who just found extra fries at the bottom of the bag. The company plans to expand across East Africa, betting big on Ethiopia’s BRICS membership and its long-standing partnership with China.
Why This Matters
Skills training for Ethiopian workers
Sustainable manufacturing practices
Strengthened China-Africa economic ties
With BRICS nations accounting for 40% of the global population, this factory’s story could be a blueprint for South-South cooperation. Who knew sneakers could walk the talk of international development?
Reference(s):
cgtn.com