Ethiopia, WTO step up efforts toward accession ahead of 2026 Ministerial Conference

Addis Ababa, October 20, 2025 (FMC) – Governor Eyob Tekalign of the National Bank of Ethiopia met with WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to review progress on Ethiopia’s accession to the global trade organization.

During the meeting held on the sidelines of the IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings in Washington D.C.,, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to fast-tracking the remaining steps to ensure Ethiopia’s membership ahead of the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14), scheduled for March 2026 in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

The discussion highlighted the significance of Ethiopia’s full integration into the multilateral trading system and emphasized how ongoing trade and financial sector reforms are supporting sustainable economic growth and enhancing the country’s global competitiveness.