Addis Ababa, September 29, 2025 (FMC) – Ethiopia will officially begin implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA) next week, while also moving closer to securing membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO), Minister of Trade and Regional Integration Kassahun Gofe (PhD) announced.
Briefing the media on the outcomes of the 6th WTO Working Party meeting in Geneva, the Minister said Ethiopia’s accession process had made significant progress, with the submission of a 650-page negotiating document that was accepted for review.
He noted that more than 30 countries expressed support for Ethiopia’s bid, and that over 200 requests had been received from WTO members interested in future market access negotiations.
The 7th Working Party meeting is scheduled for January, the Minister confirmed.
At the same time, Kassahun revealed that Ethiopia will launch the implementation of the AfCFTA next week, a milestone expected to accelerate economic integration across Africa.
He stressed that the agreement is central not only to strengthening intra-African trade but also to advancing food security, poverty reduction, and sustainable development in line with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The Minister underscored that the twin tracks of AfCFTA implementation and WTO accession reflect Ethiopia’s commitment to expanding its role in both regional and global markets, ensuring rapid and sustainable growth while opening new opportunities for trade and investment.