By Benadeta Mwaura - Reporter
Ethiopia, 20 April 2026 - African Continental Free Trade Area Secretary-General Wamkele Mene has hailed Ethiopia’s entry into trading under the continental agreement as a major breakthrough, positioning the country to tap into Africa’s vast single market.
Speaking on Monday, during the opening of the EU–Ethiopia Business Forum in Addis Ababa, Mene described the development as a turning point not only for Ethiopia but for regional trade integration across the continent.
The forum, held under the theme “Unlocking the Global Gateway Potential,” brought together policymakers, investors, and business leaders to explore new trade and investment opportunities.
Mene emphasised the scale of the opportunity now available to Ethiopia, noting that participation in the continental trade framework opens access to a market of 1.4 billion people with a combined gross domestic product of approximately 3.4 trillion US dollars.
He framed Ethiopia’s move as part of a broader continental effort to deepen economic integration and reduce reliance on external markets.
“Ethiopia’s ongoing reforms and entry into trading under AfCFTA mark a historic step that positions the country to tap into a continental market of 1.4 billion people with a combined GDP of 3.4 trillion US dollars,” Mene said.
He further pointed to the growing importance of intra-African trade, revealing that it reached about 220 billion dollars in 2024. According to him, this growth has been largely driven by expansion in manufacturing and services, sectors that are increasingly becoming central to Africa’s economic transformation.
“Intra-African trade reached about 220 billion dollars in 2024, driven by manufacturing and services,” he noted, adding that the agreement provides a much-needed framework at a time when global markets remain volatile.
Mene underscored the strategic value of the AfCFTA in the current global economic climate, describing it as a stable, rules-based system designed to support trade and investment across African borders.
He argued that such a framework is critical in reducing uncertainty for investors and enabling long-term planning for businesses operating within the continent.
More from Ethiopia
“The AfCFTA provides a stable, rules-based framework for investment and trade at a time of global economic uncertainty,” he said.
Beyond market access, the Secretary-General also commended Ethiopia’s domestic reforms, highlighting efforts to improve the country’s business environment. He cited progress in strengthening financial systems, modernising customs procedures, and enhancing investment frameworks as key enablers of trade under the continental agreement.
Mene also pointed to the expansion of digital payment platforms as a significant step toward economic inclusion, noting that such innovations are helping to integrate small businesses and farmers into formal trade systems.
He suggested that these reforms are not only supporting Ethiopia’s participation in AfCFTA but are also laying the groundwork for broader economic transformation by connecting previously excluded segments of the economy to larger markets.
The EU–Ethiopia Business Forum itself is seen as part of this wider push, serving as a platform to link Ethiopia’s reform agenda with global investment flows while leveraging the opportunities presented by the continental trade agreement.
Ethiopia’s entry into AfCFTA trading signals a shift toward deeper regional integration, with policymakers increasingly viewing intra-African trade as a key driver of growth, resilience, and economic diversification.
As implementation gains momentum, the focus is expected to shift toward translating policy into tangible trade flows, ensuring that businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises, can fully participate in and benefit from the expanded continental market.