Exhibition Revenues Stunted by Pandemic

Ethiopia has lost over USD300 million from Meeting Incentives Conferencing and Exhibitions (MICE), since the corona virus, according to a study presented by Addis Ababa chamber commerce and sectoral association, on December 31 There were 24 international exhibitions organized in Addis Ababa, annually, before covid19. There are
also over 700 event organizers in Addis Ababa, who currently has lost their manpower. Between ETB200 million and ETB250 million transactions takes place per exhibition, according to Aklile Belete, managing partner at African Trade Fairs Partner.

Africa’s share to global exhibition industry stood at 3pct, while Ethiopia’s share to Africa’s stood at a meagre 6.5pct, despite Addis Ababa being the third diplomatic seat after New York and Geneva. “we do not expect MICE and the hospitality industry will recover even in the next two years,” said Aklile.