Ethiopia, Development Partners Discuss WTO Accession and AfCFTA Implementation

Addis Ababa, May 12, 2026 —The Ministry of Finance today convened a high-level meeting of the Development Partners Group (DPG) Heads of Agencies to deliberate on Ethiopia’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), underscoring the country’s deepening commitment to global and regional economic integration.

 

Opening the session, State Minister Semereta Sewasew underscored that WTO accession is firmly embedded within the government’s Homegrown Economic Reform Agenda 2, strengthening Ethiopia’s position in international trade negotiations and enhancing its integration into global value chains.

Trade and Regional Integration Minister, Kassahun Gofe, emphasized that trade integration is a strategic pathway to achieving national development objectives, attracting foreign direct investment, and creating job opportunities for Ethiopia’s youth.

He highlighted the "sustained momentum" of the WTO accession process, which has transitioned from a 23-year slow-moving process into an advanced stage, with a clear target to complete the accession by the end of 2026.

The meeting highlighted notable strides in Ethiopia’s dual-track trade integration efforts. Over the past year alone, Ethiopia has made remarkable progress with the WTO, hosting three Working Party meetings, culminating in the pivotal 7th meeting in Geneva in April 2024, it was learned.

Bilateral negotiations have advanced significantly, with agreements reached with nine out of seventeen members to date.

Meanwhile, it was noted that Ethiopia has officially launched shipments under the AfCFTA framework in October 2025, opening trade channels to Kenya, Somalia, and South Africa. This move grants access to a combined market of over 1.4 billion people, bolstering Ethiopia’s export potential.

In addition, Kassahun told development partners that the government has taken steps to strengthen institutional support by establishing the Fund and Project Coordination Office (FPCO) within his ministry. This dedicated unit serves as a centralized platform for trade initiatives, promoting transparency, accountability, and better coordination of partner funding with national priorities, he added.

He also called on development partners to collaborate closely with the Ministry in addressing constraints faced by private sector actors. He reaffirmed the government’s full commitment to advancing WTO accession and accelerating the effective implementation of the AfCFTA, according to the Face Book of Ministry of Finance.

Representatives from the World Bank, Germany, and UNCTAD commended Ethiopia’s progress. The World Bank praised the country’s economic reforms, Germany highlighted support for customs and SMEs, and UNCTAD emphasized efforts to enhance Ethiopia’s manufacturing capacity, particularly in agro-processing and leather products.