Production-driven Trade Strategy Enables Ethiopia to Boost Export Destinations, Competitiveness
Ethiopia has significantly expanded its export destinations and competitiveness through a production-driven trade strategy, achieving $4.5 billion in export revenue within the first eight months of 2024/25. Trade and Regional Integration Minister Kassahun Gofe highlighted Ethiopia’s efforts to strengthen intra-African trade by launching a pilot AfCFTA project. The country’s coffee exports alone are expected to surpass $2 billion this fiscal year, driven by quality improvements under the Green Legacy Initiative. Ethiopia aims to further expand trade by joining AfCFTA and the WTO.
Production-driven Trade Strategy Enables Ethiopia to Boost Export Destinations, Competitiveness
Ethiopia has achieved tangible results in enhancing its export destinations and competitiveness by implementing a production-driven trade strategy, Trade and Regional Integration Minister Kassahun Gofe told ENA.
Ethiopia's Role in Intra-African Trade
The minister stated that Ethiopia will play a leading role in strengthening intra-African trade by launching a pilot African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) project in selected countries soon.
Export Growth and Economic Impact
- Ethiopia’s export revenue was $2.6 billion in 2017/18.
- In the first eight months of 2024/25, export revenue has already reached $4.5 billion.
The increase in export productivity, implementation of macro-economic reform policies, and free-floating exchange rate systems have contributed to this significant growth.
Coffee Export Boom
- Annual coffee export revenue was $700 million.
- Expected to exceed $2 billion this Ethiopian fiscal year.
Efforts to develop and produce quality coffee plants through the Green Legacy Initiative have played a key role in improving Ethiopia’s coffee competitiveness.
Expanding Trade Markets Through AfCFTA & WTO
The minister highlighted that Ethiopia’s export revenue remains low compared to GDP, and joining:
- AfCFTA (African Continental Free Trade Area)
- WTO (World Trade Organization)
will help expand trade destinations and make Ethiopia’s export market more predictable and competitive.
Finalizing AfCFTA Pilot Project
Ethiopia has finalized preparations to launch its pilot AfCFTA project.
According to the minister, AfCFTA holds great potential for Ethiopia, given its large-scale production of coffee, pulses, and other products.
📌 Source: ENA
