Addis Ababa, April 16, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopia is recalibrating its trade approach to withstand increasing instability in global value chains, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) has said, citing growing disruptions in international economic systems.
In the first part of his interview with local media EBC under the theme “The Heart of Sovereignty,” the Prime Minister pointed to a shifting global environment where trade relationships are becoming more volatile and less predictable.
He observed that international value chains are increasingly shaped by competition among states seeking strategic advantage, a trend that is introducing tension into global trade flows and weakening traditional supply reliability.
A combination of factors, including tariff measures, pandemic-related disruptions, and intensifying geopolitical rivalries, was identified as key drivers of the current instability affecting global production and logistics systems.
The Prime Minister noted that these pressures are affecting transport corridors across air, land, and maritime routes, contributing to a more uncertain global logistics environment.
Maritime trade, he stressed, remains an unavoidable component of global exchange systems, despite rising concerns over the security and reliability of shipping routes. Earlier warnings regarding vulnerabilities in sea-based transport, he added, are increasingly being validated by current developments.
Against this backdrop, Ethiopia is pursuing what he described as a pragmatic and adaptive trade posture, aimed at aligning national interests with the realities of global volatility.
This approach prioritizes diversification of trade relationships, expansion of supply options, and reduced dependence on single-product or single-route systems, particularly through deeper engagement in regional value chains.
The Prime Minister further underlined that economic resilience requires more than industrial expansion alone, arguing that countries must also develop a clear understanding of how global trade systems function under stress.
He also reiterated the importance of timing in development strategy, noting that early engagement in emerging economic opportunities provides a competitive advantage, while delayed entry increasingly limits strategic options.