Addis Ababa, August 16, 2025 (FMC) – Ethiopia is intensifying efforts to build a skilled and competitive workforce in the logistics sector, with a particular focus on women’s participation, as part of a nationwide drive to modernize and streamline logistics services.
The initiative follows the March launch of the Young Ethiopian Women Logisticians Program (YEWLP), jointly undertaken by the Ethiopian Freight Forwarders and Shipping Agents Association, the Ethiopian Maritime Authority, and the Ethiopian Trade Logistics Office, with support from development partners.
The program is providing advanced FIATA Diploma training for 100 university graduate women drawn from all regions and city administrations.
As part of their training, the participants conducted a field visit this weekend to Modjo Dry Port, Ethiopia’s largest inland logistics hub, where they observed the handling of imported goods and gained practical exposure to the sector’s operations.
Engineer Desalegn Getahun, Construction Manager of the Modjo Green Logistics Center, noted that the facility currently processes about 90 percent of Ethiopia’s imported goods.
He stressed that building a highly skilled workforce is critical for positioning Ethiopia as a strong international competitor in logistics. He also encouraged the trainees to apply their academic knowledge to real-world practice, highlighting the importance of professionalism in advancing both personal careers and national development goals.
The Ethiopian Maritime Authority affirmed that its ongoing strategy seeks to create a knowledge-based logistics system that improves efficiency while cultivating local expertise.
Berhan Kidan, Environmental and Community Protection Advisor at Modjo Dry Port, emphasized that particular attention is being given to increasing women’s participation in the sector. He added that deploying trained young women into logistics roles would not only fill workforce gaps but also contribute to greater inclusivity and long-term sustainability in the industry.