The strategic goal of the EGJA is to professionalize and standardize mining and processing procedures in order to produce higher-value, larger-scale production. With its numerous stages of production, the industry has the potential to create inclusive employment for women, youth, and individuals living in rural regions, as well as to spread socioeconomic advantages to all actors involved in the value chain.
Ethiopian Gem and Jewelry Traders Association, (EGJA) is affiliated with the Ministry of Mine and Petrol of Ethiopia. It is a member-based organization and headquartered in Addis Ababa. Throughout the world, for generations, gemstones have been valued as symbols of beauty and status. The growing demand for gemstones worldwide can be attributed to a higher consumer purchasing power from the western market as well as emerging countries like China and India.