Addis Ababa, March 13, 2026 (FMC) — The World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has praised Ethiopia for its dynamic progress in accession negotiations, highlighting developments achieved in 2025.
In the 2025 Annual Report on Accessions presented to the WTO General Council on March 11, Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala described Ethiopia’s process as one of the most dynamic among 22 governments negotiating membership.
The report highlighted two Working Party meetings in 2025, the conclusion of bilateral market access talks with seven members, and Ethiopia’s determination to finalize accession in 2026.
Negus Kebede Kassaw, Minister Plenipotentiary for WTO Affairs at Ethiopia’s Permanent Mission in Geneva, reaffirmed Ethiopia’s commitment to completing accession and integrating into the multilateral trading system.
He noted Ethiopia submitted extensive responses to members’ questions, notified over 400 legislative and policy measures, and reached a milestone at the Sixth Working Party Meeting when the document was upgraded to a Draft Working Party Report, marking the consolidation phase. Preparations are underway for the Seventh Working Party meeting in April 2026.
Negus emphasized that accession remains a strategic national priority under the leadership of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, supporting transparency, predictability, and global economic integration, according to Ethiopian Permanent Mission in Geneva. WTO members commended Ethiopia’s progress and reiterated support for the timely conclusion of the accession.