The first of meat plants on the continent of Africa, Indian meat processing company Allanasons Limited has invested $20 million in an Ethiopia factory. Indo-Asian News Service reported that the plant will be located in the town of Ziway and begin production in September 2014.

Approximately 200 cattle in addition to 5,000 sheep and goats are expected to be slaughtered on a daily basis once operation begins. Seventy-five tonnes of meat products will be packaged for daily export, the report said. The agreement was solidified at the ministry of industry January 1, where Sanjay Verma, India’s ambassador to Ethiopia acted as a witness.

“The arrival of Allana will add more value to the Ethiopian economy, following the demand for meat production in the country, and to the existing $5 million investment by Indian companies,” Verma told the Indo-Asian News Service.

“Ethiopia has the largest livestock population in Africa and it is striving to achieve benefits from the sector and we are just adding our part to the economy and to the development of the sector in the country,” Allana Group head Aman Khan added.

Khan noted that the establishment of the plant is attached to Allanasons’ effort to boost the livestock and meat market across Ethiopia. When the meat plant eventually doubles capacity in the second stage of production, it is the company’s hope that Ethiopia will become East Africa’s meat hub.

The company plans to hire 600 workers and according to the Indo-Asian News Service, a treatment plant will be built next to the meat plant to ensure environmental protection.

Oromiya Investment Commission commissioner Keba Hunde says the new plant is an example of overlooked resources finally being put to use.

“This particular project will open our eyes to use the resources we have yet fail to pay attention of their potential,” he said.

According to the report, Allanasons will continue investing in Ethiopia after the opening of the plant. Biogas and animal feed will be produced from the meat plant’s waste.