Addis Ababa, June 20, 2025 (FMC) — The European Union officially launched the ECOTRADE project today in Addis Ababa, a four-year, €6 million project aimed at strengthening Ethiopia’s integration into the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The project, implemented by the EU with technical support from Expertise France, is executed in partnership with Ethiopia’s Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration (MoTRI), which is responsible for its implementation on the ground. ECOTRADE focuses on enhancing private sector capacity—especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and women-led businesses—aligning trade policies with AfCFTA protocols, and improving regional trade connectivity.
At the launch event, Trade and Regional Integration Minister Kassahun Goffe highlighted the significance of ECOTRADE in advancing Ethiopia’s economic integration. He said the project demonstrates Ethiopia’s strong commitment to accelerating regional trade integration and maximizing the benefits of AfCFTA.
“The project aligns fully with Ethiopia’s Home-Grown Economic Reform agenda, the African Union’s Agenda 2063, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals,” the Minister noted. He emphasized that the timely implementation of such initiatives reflects Ethiopia’s determination to engage effectively in continental trade frameworks.
Minister Kassahun added that ECOTRADE will help improve regulatory systems, boost institutional capacity, and encourage active private sector participation—critical steps for enhancing the country’s trade competitiveness. The project will support targeted value chain development in key sectors such as agriculture and manufacturing, contributing to a resilient and diversified economy.
European Union Ambassador to Ethiopia Soffie From-Emmesberger described ECOTRADE as a bold and timely investment in Ethiopia’s future.
“At the heart of ECOTRADE lies a clear ambition: to support Ethiopia’s integration into AfCFTA by investing in people—entrepreneurs, women traders, customs officials, researchers, and students—who are agents of economic transformation,” she said.
The EU Ambassador emphasized that the project will foster close collaboration with MoTRI, the Ethiopian Customs Commission, chambers of commerce, exporters, and other stakeholders to strengthen capacities, harmonize policies, and encourage public-private dialogue.
By empowering SMEs and women entrepreneurs and enhancing institutional readiness, ECOTRADE aims to prepare Ethiopian businesses to compete and thrive in the emerging AfCFTA market.
Aligned with Ethiopia’s Home-Grown Economic Reform agenda, the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, ECOTRADE is expected to significantly boost Ethiopia’s trade competitiveness and serve as a model for AfCFTA implementation across the continent.
