Addis Ababa, 18 September 2026 - Ethiopian businesses will soon have a clear, practical roadmap for trading goods across the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Government, private sector and development partners have validated a new Step-by-Step Guide for Trading in Goods under the AfCFTA and a companion Trade Information Portal.
The two tools address one of the biggest barriers to intra-African trade: traders often lack clear, reliable information on what it takes to export. The Guide explains rules of origin, customs documentation, licences and certifications step by step. The Portal is a digital platform where that information can be found and kept up to date.
"We want to see a shift from awareness to action, and from capacity building to actual trade," said Jean-Baptiste Petigny, Country Director of Expertise France in Ethiopia.
The tools were reviewed and validated at a two-day workshop on 15–16 September in Addis Ababa. It was convened by the Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration (MoTRI) and the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations (ECCSA), with support from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and Expertise France. The Governments of Canada and Japan provided financial support.
Kenenisa Debela, Secretary General of ECCSA, said the Guide and Portal must be more than reference materials. He described them as "practical tools that help a trader move from understanding the export process to successfully completing a transaction."
Melaku Desta, Acting Director of ECA's Regional Integration and Trade Division, said the tools can help make sure Ethiopia's private sector is not shut out of AfCFTA opportunities simply because it lacks trade information.
Opening the workshop, Kassahun Gofe, Minister of Trade and Regional Integration, called the validation a landmark milestone for cooperation among government institutions and between government and the private sector. He also pointed to Ethiopia's steady progress in implementing the AfCFTA.
Sean Boyd, Minister-Counsellor, Head of Cooperation and Chargé d'affaires of the Embassy of Canada in Ethiopia, reaffirmed Canada's long-standing support for African trade and regional integration. He said that cutting information barriers and increasing transparency can "empower Ethiopian businesses to participate more effectively in regional markets."
Participants from government, business, think tanks and development partners went through the draft Guide in detail, in plenary and in thematic groups. They focused on accuracy, clarity and accessibility. They paid particular attention to the needs of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and women- and youth-led businesses. The workshop also trained participants on managing, updating and promoting the Portal.
The Guide will be revised and translated into Amharic and other Ethiopian languages. The Portal will be filled with content and launched.
Both tools will be used to train businesses at all levels, with the help of MoTRI, chambers and sectoral associations across the country.
Ends
Issued by:
Communications Section
Economic Commission for Africa
PO Box 3001
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Tel: +251 11 551 5826
E-mail: eca-info@un.org