Ethiopia will officially begin trading under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) on Thursday, 9th October, concluding a seven-year preparation period since signing the agreement in 2018.
According to State Minister Yasmin Wohabrebbi, the first exports—comprising agricultural and manufactured goods such as meat, coffee, fruits, edible oil, and textiles—will go to Kenya, with shipments to South Africa and Somalia to follow. Over 40 exporters have registered under the AfCFTA framework, though only a few will participate in the initial phase.
Ethiopia has ratified eight AfCFTA protocols and finalized its tariff liberalization schedule, planning to gradually reduce tariffs to zero. Currently, 90% of goods are liberalized, 7% are sensitive, and 3% are protected. The country also issued Regulation No. 574/2025, formalizing its provisional tariff concessions.
By joining 24 other African nations at this advanced stage of implementation, Ethiopia is set to engage in reciprocal trade with several countries, including Tanzania, Uganda, Nigeria, and Egypt. The AfCFTA, encompassing a market of 1.4 billion people and a GDP of USD 3.4 trillion, is expected to enhance exports, investment, and regional economic integration across Africa.