Ethio-China Growing EXIM Trade Reflects Evolving Economic Ties: Minister of Trade and Regional Integration

Addis Ababa, August 19, 2026 (ENA) —Minister of Trade and Regional Integration Kassahun Gofe affirmed the rapidly growing Export-Import (EXIM) trade between Ethiopia and China is both a driver and a reflection of the two countries’ evolving economic ties. 

The minister made these remarks while addressing an event held in Addis Ababa today under the theme “Big Market for All: Export to China” Ethiopia session.

 The minister emphasized that the friendship between Ethiopia and China is an unshakable alliance forged through mutual trust, respect and a shared vision.

The relationship between the two countries has been elevated to an all-weather strategic partnership, demonstrating the potential of international solidarity and mutually beneficial cooperation.

 

“Over the past decades, China's investment, technology, and industrial vision have played a foundational role in building Ethiopia's modern economic landscape, from high-speed expressways and clean energy grids to world-class industrial parks and the iconic Addis Ababa Djibouti railway,” Kassahun said.

According to the minister, China’s initiatives to provide zero tariff market access for African exports have opened wider opportunities for Ethiopian businesses to access the world’s most dynamic market, with its 1.4 billion consumers.

“By opening the vast Chinese market wider to Ethiopian goods, you are not only satisfying the growing demand of Chinese consumers for premium products, but you are also creating resilient, balanced, and mutually beneficial trade architecture,” he underscored.

The minister clarified that Ethiopia’s trade relations with China have expanded significantly in recent years, with exports and imports reflecting the growing economic engagement between the two countries.

In the 2025/26 fiscal year, Ethiopia’s exports to China reached 369 million USD, recording strong average annual growth over the past five years.

Meanwhile, imports from China stood at nearly 21 billion USD, growing by an average of 13 percent annually, Kassahun said.

He noted that while the growing trade volume demonstrates vibrant economic activity, the significant trade imbalance highlights the need for strategic measures to strengthen Ethiopia’s export competitiveness and diversify its export portfolio.

 

The minister also emphasized that Ethiopia is undertaking wide ranging economic reforms under its Homegrown Economic Reform agenda, including liberalizing key sectors, modernizing the financial system, streamlining export procedures and improving production quality.

“These reforms have helped Ethiopia achieve an outstanding milestone, with national exports exceeding 11.2 billion USD in the 2025/26 fiscal year,” he said.

The minister also described Ethiopia as an economy undergoing comprehensive transformation.

“Under our ambitious Homegrown Economic Reform agenda, we are executing bold structural reforms across our economy,” Kassahun said.

The minister also stated that Ethiopia is opening key commercial sectors, liberalizing the foreign exchange market and modernizing trade logistics to make trade and exports more efficient, faster and more competitive.

Ethiopia’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) is progressing with strong momentum, he noted.

 

He expressed Ethiopia’s gratitude to the Chinese government for its firm and continued support throughout the country’s WTO accession process, particularly for the successful conclusion and signing of bilateral market access negotiations.

“As we enter the final stretch of this journey, we humbly request China's continued, unreserved support until Ethiopia takes its rightful place as a full member of the WTO,” he said.