Ethiopia Targets 13.4 Billion USD in Exports for 2026/27 Fiscal Year

Addis Ababa, August 12, 2026 (ENA) — Ethiopia has set an ambitious target of generating 13.4 billion USD in export revenue during the Ethiopian fiscal year 2026/27.

The target signals Ethiopia’s determination to accelerate export-led growth by expanding value-added exports, broadening global market access, and increasing foreign exchange earnings.

A high-level consultation with exporters, where government officials and business leaders reviewed the country’s export performance in the previous fiscal year and agreed on priorities to accelerate export growth.

 

Ethiopia generated more than 11.2 billion USD in export earnings during the 2018 Ethiopian fiscal year (2025/26), a performance that Minister of Trade and Regional Integration Kassahun Gofe said provides a strong foundation for achieving the country’s new export target.

He said the export sector had gained significant momentum over the past year and played an important role in supporting the country’s macroeconomic stability and foreign exchange generation.

“Our exporters played a crucial role in registering this encouraging result, and we have reached a common understanding to focus heavily on promoting Ethiopian products more deeply in the global market moving forward,” Kassahun said.

The minister emphasized that the government and exporters had agreed to work jointly to remove operational bottlenecks and improve export performance.

 

The goal would help achieve the 13.4 billion USD target and expanding the country’s foreign currency earnings, the minister noted.

According to Kassahun, Ethiopia’s export strategy for the new fiscal year will focus on value addition, product quality, and competitiveness, rather than relying primarily on higher export volumes.

He said the government also plans to diversify export destinations, expand access to new international markets, strengthen existing trading partnerships, and modernize export systems through digital and data-driven trade platforms.

The consultation forum provided exporters with an opportunity to raise concerns affecting production, logistics, market access, and trade facilitation.

The minister said the ministry would work closely with the private sector to address those challenges and create a more conducive business environment for exporters.

 

The export revenue target forms part of Ethiopia’s broader economic reform agenda, which seeks to expand manufacturing and agro-processing exports, improve external trade competitiveness, and strengthen the country’s position in regional and global markets.

Kassahun reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting exporters through policy coordination, market promotion, and measures aimed at improving the quality and international competitiveness of Ethiopian products.