Ethiopia is set to complete a key review of its implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area’s (AfCFTA) protocol on trade in goods, a move aimed at accelerating customs reforms, lowering trade barriers and boosting market access for businesses.
Government officials, private-sector representatives and technical experts gathered in Bishoftu to validate an assessment of the country’s compliance with the AfCFTA trade framework, marking the final stage of Ethiopia’s implementation review under the AfCFTA Implementation Review Mechanism (AFIRM).
The three-day meeting, running from Aug. 4 to Aug. 6, is examining findings from documentary reviews, stakeholder consultations and field data collected using the AfCFTA Secretariat’s standardized Implementation Review Matrix.
The assessment is expected to produce a roadmap for policy and regulatory reforms, strengthen institutional coordination and improve customs and trade-facilitation systems as Ethiopia seeks to deepen its integration into Africa’s single market.
Technical sessions focused on validating evidence, identifying implementation gaps and refining recommendations intended to speed up the country’s compliance with the trade pact.
For Ethiopian companies, the reforms could reduce the cost of cross-border trade, improve transparency and create a more predictable business environment, according to officials involved in the process. Private-sector representatives participating in the discussions are also helping to ensure that the recommendations reflect the operational realities facing businesses.
The AfCFTA agreement seeks to create a single market covering 54 countries with a combined population of more than 1.4 billion people and a gross domestic product exceeding $3 trillion.
Although Ethiopia formally ratified the AfCFTA agreement in 2019, the country has been working to align domestic laws, customs procedures and trade regulations with the continental framework to unlock new export opportunities and attract investment.
Once validated, the report will serve as a benchmark for measuring Ethiopia’s progress in implementing the trade agreement and provide guidance on areas requiring further action, including customs modernization and institutional reforms.
The meeting also highlights Ethiopia’s broader ambition to strengthen intra-African trade, support industrialization and expand the role of the private sector in economic growth.
The AfCFTA Secretariat said the review process is designed to help member states identify obstacles to implementation and adopt reforms that facilitate trade across the continent, with the ultimate goal of increasing regional commerce and economic integration.
