What Changed
- Ethiopia confirmed signing 11 out of 17 bilateral market access agreements.
- Domestic legislative progress was presented covering foreign exchange, customs, taxation, trading rights, and TRIPS.
- WTO members were given until 8 December to submit written questions and comments to revise the Draft Working Party Report.
The World Trade Organization (WTO) Secretariat reported on the progress of the Working Party on the Accession of Ethiopia, following a high-level review of the country's trade reforms. The Ethiopian delegation, led by Minister Yasmin, included senior government officials such as State Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Hadera Abera Admasu, National Bank Governor Eyob Tekalign Tolina, State Minister of Justice Belayihun Yirga Kifile, Customs Commissioner Debele Kabeta Hursa, and Ethiopian Investment Holdings Deputy CEO Zeleke Temesgen Boru.
Minister Yasmin affirmed that Ethiopia's new government, formed in October, accords the highest priority to WTO accession. Emphasizing the impact on a market of over 130 million people—the fifth-largest economy in Africa—she noted that membership will provide an international, legally binding anchor for economic reforms, guarding against policy reversal while strengthening predictability, transparency, and institutional credibility.
Ethiopia updated members on legislative reforms introduced since the seventh Working Party meeting, including measures governing foreign exchange and payments, customs administration, taxation, trading rights, and import licensing. Further legal reforms are underway covering internal and export taxes, other duties and charges, and trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights (TRIPS).
On the bilateral market access front, Ethiopia has signed 11 out of 17 launched agreements, with several remaining negotiations close to completion. Once all market access agreements are submitted, the WTO Secretariat will consolidate them into Ethiopia's draft Schedules on Goods and Services for technical verification by signatory members.
WTO Deputy Director-General Xiangchen Zhang commended Ethiopia's commitment, noting support from international partners including the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the International Trade Centre. Working Party Chair Rebecca Fisher-Lamb (United Kingdom) urged Ethiopia to pursue legislative reforms expeditiously. WTO members have been invited to submit written comments and questions by 8 December, after which the WTO Secretariat will revise the Draft Working Party Report.
Who May Be Affected
International businesses, foreign investors, trading entities, and legal advisors operating across WTO member states that conduct trade with Ethiopia.
Cross-Border Context
Ethiopia's integration into the WTO system creates predictable, non-discriminatory market access rules affecting trading partners across China, Switzerland, the EU, and other WTO member jurisdictions.
What to check next
- Submission of written questions and comments by WTO members by 8 December.
- Consolidation of bilateral market access agreements into Ethiopia's draft Schedules on Goods and Services by the WTO Secretariat.
- Publication of the revised Draft Working Party Report and scheduling of the next Working Party meeting.
This article provides general information and does not constitute legal advice. Consult the official text and obtain advice appropriate to your circumstances where needed.