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With a goal to join the WTO by March 2026, Ethiopia reports significant progress in trade negotiations, gaining strong international support and reducing outstanding inquiries from member states
Ethiopia is making steady progress in its efforts to join the World Trade Organization (WTO) and has set a goal to complete the process by March 2026. The country recently concluded the fifth round of negotiations, reporting positive outcomes that indicate significant advancements in its accession journey.
On March 24, 2025, Ethiopia’s chief negotiator and Minister of Trade and Regional Integration, Kassahun Gofe, provided an update in a press conference. He highlighted that the number of inquiries from WTO member states regarding Ethiopia’s trade policies has dropped significantly.
“During the fourth round of negotiations in 2020, Ethiopia received 181 questions from WTO member countries. This time, the number has reduced to 110, reflecting substantial progress in addressing concerns,” Kassahun explained.
He further noted that Ethiopia is preparing comprehensive written responses to these remaining inquiries, which are expected to be submitted by May 2025.
The announcement came after Ethiopia participated in the 5th WTO Working Group Summit in Geneva, Switzerland, where Kassahun led a delegation of senior government officials. The summit provided a platform for Ethiopia to showcase its progress and discuss key trade-related matters with WTO member states.
In addition to the working group discussions, Ethiopia has also initiated bilateral market access negotiations with 12 out of 17 targeted countries, including major economies such as the United States and the European Union. Kassahun emphasized that these negotiations are being conducted based on the principle of mutual exchange, ensuring that Ethiopia secures favorable terms for its trade relationships.
Another key highlight of the negotiations was the strong international support Ethiopia has received. According to Kassahun, 19 countries and the World Bank have expressed solid backing for Ethiopia’s WTO accession. He described this level of endorsement as exceeding normal expectations, signaling a positive outlook for Ethiopia’s membership process.
Looking ahead, Ethiopia is scheduled to participate in the next round of negotiations in July 2025. The government has put in place a structured system to ensure steady progress in the accession process. A dedicated 35-member technical committee meets weekly to review developments, while the negotiating team holds bi-weekly discussions to refine Ethiopia’s position.
Ethiopia has been working towards joining the WTO since 1999. The country gained observer status in 2003 but paused its efforts for nearly eight years. However, in January 2020, Ethiopia resumed its accession process with renewed determination, aiming to integrate its economy into the global trading system.
By joining the WTO, Ethiopia hopes to unlock new trade opportunities, boost economic growth, and strengthen its position in the international market. The government remains committed to fulfilling all necessary requirements and continuing diplomatic engagements to finalize the accession process by the set deadline of 2026.