4.1 Urban Economy and Role of the Town

The town serves as regional administration, education, storage, distribution,

transport and communication center. There are 20 manufacturing industries,

290 wholesale trade, 1000 retail trade and seven fuel stations in the town.

There are nine different financial institutions giving services in the town. The

average annual revenue of the municipality was 11,310,514.14 Birr and the

major sources of revenue were land rent, land tax, different service charges,

government house rents and professional license taxes. The major

investment opportunities in the town are:- hotel, trade and hospital (health

institutions). Jijiga has economic linkages with the surrounding areas and

towns. The town gets manufacturing and commercial products from Addis

Ababa, Harar and Diredawa. Grain product from Addis Ababa, Assela and rural

areas of Adama. Livestock is supplied to the town from surrounding area and

Harar. Natural resources (fuel wood, charcoal) from surrounding areas. Surplus

labor and construction material are brought to the town from surround areas,

Diredawa and other regions.

4.2 Social and Municipal Services

Education

There are thirty seven private kindergartens; six government and twenty two private primary schools; five high schools including preparatory; one TVET; one college and one University. The student per teacher ratio for primary school is 1:40 while student class room ratio is 1:62.

Health

Regarding health services in the town, there are one private and one government hospitals; two goverbnebt health centers, twelve private clinics, one government clinic and ten health posts.