Market Infrastructure Expansion, Product Supply Encouraging: Trade, Regional Integration Minister

Addis Ababa, July 23, 2026 (ENA) — Encouraging results have been recorded in the activities carried out to sustainably improve product supply and expand market infrastructure in the 2018 Ethiopia Fiscal Year, Prosperity Party Executive Member and Minister of Trade and Regional Integration, Kassahun Gofe, said.

His statement followed the conclusion of a high-level party forum reviewing performance of the 2018 fiscal year and setting strategic priorities for 2019.

Presenting a comprehensive performance report at the forum, Kassahun detailed key interventions deployed over the past year to curb inflation, stabilize consumer markets, and map out upcoming economic priorities.

Robust measures taken throughout the 2018 fiscal year to strengthen supply chain resilience and expand market infrastructure have yielded encouraging results, he said.

The Minister further emphasized that the government has pursued a multi-pronged strategy encompassing the Yelemat Tirufat (Bounty of the Basket) initiative that enhanced market linkages, expanded commercial infrastructure, and targeted crackdowns on illicit trade practices.

To maintain basic commodity flows through liberalized market channels, the government supported private importers by approving over 568.8 million USD in foreign exchange through commercial banks.

This allocation facilitated the market supply of 7.35 million quintals of sugar and over 704 million liters of edible oil.

Regarding fuel distribution, 5.23 million cubic meters of petroleum products were delivered to the domestic market, achieving 91 percent of the planned annual target.

The Minister highlighted that the opening of 804 new weekend open-air markets successfully linked producers directly with consumers, bringing the total number of active weekend markets nationwide to 2,369.

According to him, this expansion enabled citizens to purchase essential goods at discounts ranging from 10 to 20 percent compared to standard retail rates.

In addition, 32 modern commercial centers were brought into service, while 750 million Birr was allocated to expand livestock trading infrastructure.

Parallel to economic measures, extensive social welfare programs totaling 190.56 billion Birr were executed across all regions and city administrations during the fiscal year.

Key humanitarian highlights included the construction and renovation of 209,262 homes for vulnerable citizens at a cost of 66.4 billion Birr, direct meal support reaching 4.33 million households valued at 12.2 billion Birr, the provision of learning materials to 12 million students worth 14.4 billion Birr, and school feeding programs benefiting millions of school children nationwide totaling 28.3 billion Birr.

Addressing logistical bottlenecks, regional reports confirmed the removal of 316 illegal transit checkpoints that previously hindered the free movement of agricultural goods, though localized challenges remain under active monitoring.

Law enforcement operations against commercial distortions resulted in legal actions against 347,679 non-compliant traders, yielding 781.3 million Birr in fines.

Furthermore, 14,221 individuals received custodial sentences, and 6,885 business licenses were revoked. In fuel distribution specifically, enforcement measures were taken against 115 gas stations, 84 commercial and security personnel, and 604 illicit actors.

Macroeconomic indicators show overall headline inflation standing at 13.4 percent, with food inflation at 15.0 percent and non-food inflation slowing to 11.1 percent as a result of a tight monetary policy stance.

Key cost drivers behind price pressure included a 49 percent increase in diesel costs and a 26 percent adjustment in exchange rates.

Looking ahead to this fiscal year, Kassahun said the Ministry will focus on driving a 10 percent expansion in basic product supply, upgrading 500 local markets, increasing the number of weekend open-air markets to 3,369, eliminating lingering trade barriers, and conducting regulatory training for 20 million market participants to maintain market integrity.

The review session brought together senior government officials, including Prosperity Party Vice President and Main Office Head, Adem Farah, alongside cabinet ministers, state ministers, and regional leaders.