Ethiopia’s negotiations to join the World Trade Organization (WTO) have entered an important stage, with senior government officials noting renewed progress in the accession process.
A national platform on WTO membership and ongoing negotiations convened in Addis Ababa under the theme “Integrating Ethiopia, Transforming Trade.” The session brought together government representatives, private-sector actors, and development partners to review the country’s current position and next steps.
Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh noted that although Ethiopia has been part of many global institutions since their establishment, it remains outside the WTO despite its size and economic potential. He stated that recent reforms and renewed engagement have helped revive negotiations that had slowed for many years, indicating that the process is moving toward a more advanced phase.
According to the Deputy Prime Minister, progress over the past several months suggests that Ethiopia is approaching a critical point in the accession process. He added that membership is expected to improve market access, strengthen predictability in trade and investment, and support ongoing economic reforms aimed at improving governance and regulatory stability.
Temesgen also indicated that completing the negotiations will require coordinated efforts from government institutions, the private sector, and international partners.
Meanwhile, Minister of Trade and Regional Integration and Chief Negotiator Kassahun Gofe provided updates on the technical aspects of the accession process. Ethiopia has conducted six rounds of negotiations and responded to more than 1,050 questions from WTO members. He noted that trade-related laws and regulations are being aligned with international standards as part of the broader reform agenda.
Officials indicated that Ethiopia is working toward securing membership by 2026, with continued engagement from all stakeholders considered essential to meeting this timeline.
Source (including image): Ethiopian News Agency
