Ethiopian Informer
ADDIS ABABA (EI) — The Ethiopian government said it has accelerated economic reforms and negotiations aiming to finalize the country’s long-running bid for accession into the World Trade Organization (WTO) by the end of 2026.
The Ethiopian Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration said in a statement on Tuesday that major economic reforms and bilateral negotiations are underway to successfully realize the country’s 23-year-long WTO membership ambition.
In line with the country’s ongoing WTO accession efforts, the Ethiopian government has demonstrated “a constructive and solution-oriented stance” in its market access for goods and services by taking into account the country’s development needs, the statement quoted Kassahun Gofe, Ethiopia’s Minister of Trade and Regional Integration, as saying.
He revealed that the East African nation has successfully concluded bilateral market access negotiations and agreements with 11 WTO member states so far.
The ministry also highlighted that consultations are currently underway with other WTO members toward the signing of bilateral market access agreements, aiming to further accelerate the country’s accession to the WTO.
The Ethiopian government argues that WTO membership will “significantly” support the country’s economic reform agenda and holistic development ambitions.
As part of its broader economic reform and liberalization efforts, the East African country has in recent years introduced various measures to open previously state-dominated economic sectors to private investment.
Since Ethiopia began its negotiations with the WTO as an observer in 2003, the country has held several rounds of working group negotiations.
According to the World Bank, with about 135.9 million people, Ethiopia is Africa’s second-most populous nation after Nigeria and one of the fastest-growing economies in the region.
The World Trade Organization (WTO) is the only global international organization dealing with the rules of trade between nations. The organization works to ensure that trade flows as smoothly, predictably, and freely as possible.
