@AfCFTA – Ethiopian Business Review

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Ethiopia has established 374 additional weekend markets over the past nine months, bringing the total number of operational Saturday and Sunday markets across the country to 1,434. The expansion aims to improve access to goods, stabilize consumer prices, and stimulate local economies through more inclusive trade platforms.

The milestone was revealed during a high-level national macroeconomic and sectoral performance review convened this morning by the Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration. Minister Kassahun Gofe led the session alongside Dr. Belete Molla, Minister of Innovation and Technology. The forum engaged ministry staff and stakeholders in a joint assessment of progress made in the 2017 Ethiopian fiscal year.

The review highlighted major achievements beyond market expansions. Over 2.6 million online business registrations and licenses were processed—marking a 102% achievement against the ministry’s plan. This surge in digital registration reflects the government’s commitment to simplifying and modernizing business procedures.

In a historic first, Ethiopia’s export revenues have surpassed USD 5.3 billion within the same nine-month period—making it the highest figure recorded in the country’s export trade history. The Ministry has set an ambitious target to reach USD 7 billion by the end of the fiscal year.

Efforts in regulating the petroleum sector were also cited as a key success. The ministry noted improved oversight in oil marketing and pricing mechanisms, contributing to better supply stability.

“These achievements are a reflection of the enabling environment created by ongoing macroeconomic reforms,” Minister Kassahun said, crediting institutional collaboration and reform-driven momentum for the performance surge.

The report paints a picture of a country intensifying its trade efforts through local innovation, regulatory improvement, and global engagement—laying the groundwork for more integrated and competitive economic growth.

Ethiopia and Uganda have elevated their bilateral relations to unprecedented levels with the signing of eight comprehensive cooperation agreements during the 4th Joint Ministerial Commission session in Addis Ababa, according to an exclusive report by Soft Power News. The landmark agreements, covering aviation, energy, water resources, and agriculture among other sectors, establish a new framework for enhanced economic integration between the two nations.

The aviation sector emerged as a major beneficiary, with three distinct agreements including a Bilateral Air Services Agreement that promises to revolutionize regional connectivity. Other significant MoUs address industrial cooperation, energy collaboration, and technical exchanges in agriculture and fisheries – each designed to create tangible economic benefits for both countries.

Dr. Gedion Timotheos, Ethiopia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, framed the agreements as critical tools for addressing shared challenges. “From Nile water management to regional security through IGAD, these accords strengthen our capacity to solve transnational issues,” he remarked. The minister emphasized the potential for joint infrastructure projects and knowledge transfers to accelerate economic development.

Uganda’s Foreign Minister, Hon. Gen. Odongo, characterized the session as a “strategic leap forward” rather than mere diplomatic routine. Noting the six-year interval since the last JMC, Odongo revealed that technical teams had been working throughout the period to prepare the ground for these ambitious agreements. “We’re not just maintaining relations – we’re building an economic bridge between East Africa’s hinterland and the Horn,” he stated.

In 2024, trade volume between Ethiopia and Uganda reached USD 5.46 million. Dr. Kassahun Gofe, Ethiopia’s Minister for Trade and Regional Integration, said the new agreements would deepen the existing friendship between the two nations and upgrade their trade cooperation framework.

Dr. Kassahun also highlighted that the MoUs will boost efforts to expand market share, strengthen private sector collaboration, and create a more conducive environment for doing business. He further noted that the two countries have agreed to cooperate on trade promotion, exchange of trade-related information and technologies, and support regional economic integration efforts.

Importantly, both nations have also committed to working together in mobilizing regional trade and investment potential through the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), signaling their intent to play a leading role in broader continental integration.

Ethiopia’s Maritime Transit Service has reached a major milestone in its national fertilizer import initiative, with over 1.07 million metric tons of soil fertilizer successfully delivered to Djibouti Port as of April 6, 2025. This achievement represents nearly half of the country’s total planned imports for the 2017/18 agricultural production cycle, which targets 2.4 million metric tons by the April 2025 deadline.

Ethiopia’s horticulture sector has delivered a robust USD366 million in revenue over the past eight months, reinforcing its position as one of the nation’s top three foreign exchange generators, the Ministry of Agriculture announced.

Speaking at the opening of the 9th Hortiflora Expo at Millennium Hall, Agriculture Minister Girma Amente (PhD) highlighted the sector’s growing economic impact, emphasizing its role in job creation—particularly for women, who make up over 80% of the workforce.

The horticulture industry—spanning flowers, fruits, vegetables, and herbs—has not only boosted exports but also spurred the growth of small, medium, and large enterprises across Ethiopia. However, Minister Girma noted that fruits, vegetables, and herbs remain underutilized in terms of export potential.

With global consumer trends shifting toward healthier diets, the government is implementing policy and sector reforms to attract more private investment and maximize opportunities in high-demand markets.

Organized by the Ethiopian Horticultural Producers and Exporters Association (EHPEA), this year’s expo—under the theme “Horticulture for Sustainable Ethiopia”—brings together ministers, producers, diplomats, and industry stakeholders to explore key challenges and innovations.

✔ USD366M earnings in 8 months – Floriculture leads, but fruits/vegetables untapped.
✔ Women dominate workforce – Over 80% of jobs held by female workers.
✔ Policy reforms underway – Govt. aims to boost private sector participation.
✔ Expo highlights sustainability – Focus on agro-logistics, EU compliance, and green growth.

In a bold step towards enhancing Africa’s transit trade and investment ecosystem, the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and ZEP-RE (PTA Reinsurance Company) are set to launch the Trans-Africa Bond Alliance (TABA) on March 28, 2025, in Kenya.

TABA is a transformational initiative designed to bridge the insurance capacity gap, empowering African contractors to secure more construction and procurement projects while boosting cross-border trade and investment flows. By providing robust transit guarantee mechanisms, the alliance is expected to reduce trade barriers, lower costs, and improve efficiency in the movement of goods across Africa.

The launch of TABA aligns seamlessly with the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), which aims to create a single market for goods and services across 54 countries. By facilitating seamless transit trade, TABA will strengthen the trade insurance sector, making it easier for businesses to operate with confidence while minimizing financial risks.

This initiative builds on prior high-impact collaborations between Afreximbank and ZEP-RE. Notably, in November 2023, the two institutions signed a USD300 million African Collaborative Transit Guarantee Scheme (AATGS) agreement, a facility designed to enhance ZEP-RE’s capacity in supporting primary and national sureties issuing transit bonds under the COMESA regional customs transit guarantee scheme. The agreement was a major step in reducing risk exposure and increasing support for businesses engaged in intra-African trade.

374 New Weekend Markets Launched, Total Reaches 1,434 Nationwide

Eight Strategic Deals Launch New Chapter in Ethiopia-Uganda Relations

Ethiopia Imports 1.07 Million Tons of Fertilizer, Nears Half of Annual Target

Ethiopia’s Horticulture Sector Generates USD366 Million in Eight Months

Trans-Africa Bond Alliance to Unlock Regional Trade and Investment Across Africa