Africa-Press – Ethiopia. Ethiopia is accelerating economic reform and trade liberalization efforts to boost regional integration and support sustainable growth, the Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration (MoTRI) said.
Speaking at the launch of a Cross-Border Trade Facilitation Training Manual in Addis Ababa, Advisor to the State Minister, Tsegaw Chernet, said the Homegrown Economic Reform Program places strong emphasis on liberalizing trade and investment to attract foreign direct investment and improve the business environment.
“This reform places strong emphasis on trade and investment liberalization to attract foreign direct investment, strengthening trade to foster sustainable development and improving the ease of doing business through a wide range of measures, including customs and regulatory frameworks,” he said.
Tsegaw noted that the ongoing reforms are creating new opportunities for the domestic economy while expanding Ethiopia’s engagement in regional markets.
He stressed that cross-border trade plays a critical role in advancing regional integration, improving livelihoods and driving economic growth.
“Strengthening cross-border trade is not only an economic priority but also a social imperative. This manual is designed to bridge information gaps, improve compliance with trade procedures and enhance small-scale trade,” he said.
Director of Labor, Employment and Migration at the African Union Commission, Sabelo Mbokazi, underscored the importance of mobility in regional development.
“Facilitated movement of people has the potential to boost trade, ensure labor mobility and skills transfer, while promoting employment opportunities to enhance regional integration and development on our continent,” he said.
He added that such efforts contribute to improving air transport and cross-border infrastructure; while encouraging member states to strengthen border governance through digital systems, one-stop border posts and effective coordination mechanisms.
“We believe this manual on cross-border trade is going to contribute to that aspiration,” Mbokazi said.
Japan’s Ambassador to the African Union, Noboru Sekiguchi, reaffirmed his country’s support for Africa’s development agenda.
“These efforts contribute to the aspirations of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the advancement of the African Continental Free Trade Area, which Japan supports through ongoing cooperation with African partners,” he said.
He also recalled initiatives such as the issuance of Fayda digital IDs for vulnerable returnees in Dire Dawa, highlighting the importance of partnership and inclusive approaches.
Head of Programmes at the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Ethiopia, Nlabu Sascha Patrick, emphasized the broader social and economic impact of cross-border trade.
“Border trade is vital for the economic resilience and social cohesion of communities living along Ethiopia’s borders. It supports food security, provides livelihoods and fosters peaceful coexistence between neighboring populations,” he said.
He commended Ethiopia’s progress in formalizing small-scale cross-border trade through agreements with Djibouti, Sudan and South Sudan, as well as a draft agreement with Kenya aligned with the COMESA simplified trade regime.
The training manual, developed by MoTRI in collaboration with multiple national institutions and international partners with financial support from Japan, aims to empower border communities, streamline trade procedures and promote inclusive regional growth.
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