Addis Ababa, 26 June 2024 – The Ethiopian Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration (MoTRI) in collaboration with the Policy Studies Institute (PSI) and with the support from the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) through its African Trade Policy Center (ATPC) invites stakeholders to participate in a crucial National Consultation Forum on the Development of Ethiopia's National African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Implementation Strategy. Join us on 29 June 2024 at Skylight Hotel, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia as we work together towards shaping the future of trade and regional integration in Ethiopia.
The AfCFTA, adopted in 2018, represents a historic effort to unite 55 African Union member states with a combined GDP of nearly $3 trillion. This Agreement establishes a legal framework for comprehensive economic integration, aimed at creating a unified African market that fosters the free movement of goods and services, and investment facilitation ultimately strengthening Africa's trading capacity on a global scale at the time of digital age.
In 2019, Ethiopia ratified the AfCFTA, demonstrating its commitment to this transformative initiative. As part of its effort in domesticating the Agreement, the country is in the process of developing its National AfCFTA Implementation Strategy. This strategy will identify key sectors where Ethiopia can gain a competitive advantage under the AfCFTA and integrate its economy into regional and global value chains. The strategy prioritizes inclusivity, gender sensitivity, and environmental sustainability, and is essential for enhancing Ethiopia's readiness to fully harness the benefits of the AfCFTA.
A high-profile forum is set to take place at Skylight Hotel, focusing on raising awareness about the AfCFTA and its implications, engaging in discussions about the roles of various stakeholders in Ethiopia's AfCFTA journey, and seeking feedback for the National AfCFTA Implementation Strategy.
The participation of government agencies, non-governmental organizations, civil society groups, private sector representatives, and academic institutions will be vital. This collaborative effort is poised to play a pivotal role in advancing Ethiopia's integration into the African market and driving sustainable economic growth across the continent.
Ethiopia is actively taking transformative steps to unlock the immense potential benefits of the AfCFTA, aligning its economic policies with regional integration goals and creating a path for expanded trade opportunities across Africa.