Destructive Outcomes of Multinational Companies in Africa The Case of HVA in the Awash River Valley of Ethiopia (1951-1975)

Abstract

HVA (Hendels-Vereeniging Amsterdam) was a Dutch multinational company working inEthiopia for a quarter of a century. The historical knowledge about its destructiveoutcomes in the country is limited. This paper attempted to disclose some of theseoutcomes from 1951 to 1975 by employing document analysis, interview and observationmethods. The company caused land eviction and tribal conflicts, ecological disorder andhealth problems to peoples of the area. It is also remembered because of its bad workingconditions, racial discrimination, segregation, and related social crisis.