ADDIS ABABA
Ethiopia exported more than $14.4 million worth of goods under the African Continental Free Trade Area from the start of its official trading in October 2025 through May 30, 2026, according to the Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration.
Imports under the agreement exceeded $8.6 million during the same period, the ministry said Friday in a social media post.
The figures come as Ethiopia expands its participation in the continentwide trade framework, which seeks to deepen commercial ties among African countries and create a common market.
The agreement covers 54 countries and 1.3 billion people, according to the ministry, which said intra-African trade is expected to increase by 52% under the framework.
Ethiopia was among the first countries to sign the agreement and ratified it through the House of Peoples’ Representatives in 2019.
The country completed and submitted its tariff schedule and trade-in-services commitments before passing technical reviews, according to the ministry. Ethiopia officially began trading under the framework on Oct. 9, 2025.
Oilseeds, maize and chemical products have been among Ethiopia’s main exports under the agreement, the ministry said. Dry yeast and television components have been among its leading imports.
The country’s export destinations under the framework have also expanded from four African countries before official trading began to seven, according to the ministry. Ethiopian products are now being exported to Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Ghana and Algeria.
The ministry attributed the increase in destinations to tariff reductions under the continental agreement.
Private companies are also participating in the trade. The ministry said 37 private companies are engaged in exports under the framework, while 76 companies are involved in imports.
Ethiopia’s participation comes as negotiations and implementation of the broader continental agreement continue. Eight protocols have been subject to negotiations, according to the ministry.
Protocols covering intellectual property rights and digital trade were approved at a recent summit of African leaders, it said.
The ministry also linked Ethiopia’s work under the continental trade framework to the country’s efforts to join the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Although the two negotiation processes differ, measures being undertaken under the free trade agreement could contribute to Ethiopia’s WTO accession process, the ministry said. Those measures include addressing nontariff barriers to trade, establishing institutional structures and implementing policy reforms.
The ministry said Ethiopia’s participation in the continental agreement is strengthening regional economic ties while expanding the country’s access to African markets.
