Trade Reform and Modern Logistics Redefine Ethiopia’s Market Landscape – Minister

Addis Ababa, January 27, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopia’s ongoing trade sector reforms, coupled with investments in modern logistics infrastructure, are driving fundamental change and reshaping the country’s market landscape, Minister of Trade and Regional Integration Kassahun Gofe (PhD) said.

The Minister made the remarks during the inauguration of a modern vegetable, fruit, and animal products cold storage facility and multipurpose building constructed by the Ethiopian Trading Business Corporation (ETBC) in Addis Ababa’s Akaki-Qaliti Sub-City.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Addis Ababa City Mayor Adanech Abiebie, Minister Kassahun, and other senior government officials.

Speaking at the event, the Minister said the newly inaugurated facility represents a critical pillar of broader efforts to modernize Ethiopia’s trade ecosystem, strengthen supply chains, and enhance efficiency across storage, distribution, and logistics services.

He noted that the cold storage facility has the capacity to store and organize more than 20,000 quintals of vegetables and fruits and up to 10,000 quintals of animal products at a time, helping reduce post-harvest losses while improving product quality and market reliability.

Built at a cost of about 1.7 billion birr and covering more than 11,400 square meters, the facility comprises a large-scale cold storage complex alongside a ten-story multipurpose service building designed to support integrated trade and logistics operations.

Minister Kassahun said extensive reforms are underway to modernize Ethiopia’s trade environment and enhance the country’s competitiveness within the global trading system.

He stressed that priority is being given to ensuring access to essential goods at reasonable prices, strengthening market linkages, expanding modern logistics infrastructure, and creating a more efficient, transparent, and competitive trade framework.

The Minister also highlighted the contribution of the Ethiopian Trading Business Corporation to national economic growth, citing its performance in supporting exports, including achievements in wheat exports.

He described the institution’s work in recent years as commendable and called for sustained efforts to deliver stronger results in line with Ethiopia’s broader reform agenda.