Ethiopia is accelerating the digital transformation of its logistics sector as state owned transport companies introduce integrated platforms aimed at reducing administrative delays, improving cargo visibility and strengthening trade competitiveness.
Ethiopian Shipping and Logistics (ESL) and the Ethio-Djibouti Railway Share Company (EDR) have introduced digital self service systems covering cargo booking, tracking, payments and documentation.
ESL launched its web and mobile platform on September 4, allowing customers to place shipment orders, track cargo, verify storage locations, process freight payments and manage documents through a single portal. The system also incorporates AI-assisted customer support.
The platform is intended to replace paper-intensive processes and reduce the need for customers to visit multiple offices, potentially shortening transaction times and lowering administrative costs.
EDR has similarly operationalized a digital freight booking platform covering cargo reservations, route planning, payment clearance and consignment tracking along the Addis Ababa-Djibouti corridor, Ethiopia’s main international trade route.
Both platforms were developed by Ethiopian software engineers, reflecting growing domestic capacity to develop specialized digital systems for major industries.
The modernization comes as Ethiopia seeks to address longstanding logistics constraints. The country ranked 126th among 139 economies in the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index, with challenges involving customs clearance, infrastructure and shipment tracking.
Digitalizing logistics could also support Ethiopia’s efforts to improve trade facilitation as it pursues World Trade Organization membership and implements the Digital Ethiopia 2030 strategy.
Source: Capital Ethiopia Newspaper
