THE Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia has officially endorsed its National African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Implementation Strategy, marking a decisive pivot toward aggressive continental trade integration. The high-level validation workshop, convened by the Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration (MoTRI) with technical backing from the Policy Studies Institute (PSI) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), took place at the Hilton Hotel in Addis Ababa, drawing senior government officials, AfCFTA Secretariat representatives, private sector leaders, development partners, and technical experts.
In a forceful opening statement, H.E. Dr. Kassahun Gofe, Minister of Trade and Regional Integration, declared the Strategy a bold departure from Ethiopia’s historically cautious trade stance. “This is not a ceremonial milestone; it is a call to action,” he asserted, linking the Strategy directly to Ethiopia’s sweeping reforms in banking, telecommunications, and logistics under the Homegrown Economic Reform Agenda (HEGER 2.0). The document strategically targets sectors including agro-processing, textiles, leather, and services, while embedding critical cross-cutting priorities such as digital trade, gender inclusion, SME empowerment, and institutional coordination.
Ethiopia’s robust economic momentum—highlighted by an 8.1% GDP growth rate in the 2023/24 fiscal year and record exports surpassing USD 8 billion—positions the country to capitalise on AfCFTA’s market integration potential for sustainable growth.
Mr. Melaku Desta, Coordinator of the African Trade Policy Centre at ECA, lauded Ethiopia’s comprehensive approach, noting the Strategy’s inclusion of all eight AfCFTA protocols, including the advanced Phase II protocols on investment, intellectual property rights, and competition. However, he cautioned that validation is only the first step, emphasising the necessity for coordinated, government-wide execution led by MoTRI and the National Implementation Committee.
From the technical perspective, Mr. Fekadu Tsega, Director General of PSI, highlighted the rigorous, consultative process underpinning the Strategy’s development, ensuring national ownership and alignment with Ethiopia’s trade priorities. He described the Strategy as a precise blueprint identifying priority products and African markets, alongside strategic interventions essential for effective AfCFTA implementation.
The workshop concluded with a unified commitment from all stakeholders to drive the Strategy’s implementation through coordinated investment, monitoring, and accountability mechanisms. Ethiopia’s validation of its AfCFTA Implementation Strategy signals a transformative leap toward deeper continental trade integration and economic resilience.
