ADDIS ABABA, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Tuesday laid the cornerstone for a 60 million U.S. dollars concrete asphalt road project.

The 80-kilometer Jimma-Chida concrete asphalt road project, which is expected to be completed in four years' time, has been contracted by China Tiesiju Civil Engineering Group Co. Ltd. for construction, reported the state media outlet Fana Broadcasting Corporation.

Ahmed laid the cornerstone for the concrete asphalt road project in the presence of other senior Ethiopian officials, including Ethiopia Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen and representatives from the Chinese company.

When completed, the asphalt concrete road project is expected to connect the coffee producing areas of southwestern Ethiopia to the country's main market areas in central Ethiopia and beyond.

The road project is also expected to facilitate easier travel time for tourists traveling to the Chebera Churchura National Park, as well as professionals working on the 2,160-MW Koysha hydroelectric power project.

Ethiopia further plans to increase its current 4,280-MW electricity generation capacity to 17,300 MW by 2025, with power generation projects in hydro, wind, geothermal, solar and biomass sectors.

The Ethiopian government has also embarked on massive energy projects across the country, with a view to succeeding in its plans to make the East African country a light industry hub in Africa by 2025.