Ethiopia's accession maintains momentum as WTO members review progress

The high-level delegation of Ethiopia, led by Minister Yasmin, consisted of senior government officials based in Geneva and Addis Ababa, including five members of the National Steering Committee on WTO Accession.  These comprised State Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Chief Trade Negotiator Ambassador Hadera Abera Admasu, National Bank Governor Eyob Tekalign Tolina, State Minister of Justice Belayihun Yirga Kifile, Commissioner of the Ethiopian Customs Commission Debele Kabeta Hursa and Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Investment Holdings Zeleke Temesgen Boru.

Minister Yasmin confirmed that Ethiopia's new government, formed in October, "accords the highest priority to Ethiopia's WTO accession". "Being a member of the WTO family will serve as an international, legally binding anchor for our reforms, guarding against policy reversal and reinforcing predictability, transparency and institutional credibility," she stressed. Emphasizing that Ethiopia's WTO membership would also strengthen the WTO, Minister Yasmin said: "Bringing a market of more than 130 million people, the fifth largest economy in Africa, into a system of predictable, non-discriminatory rules is critical. It would reinforce the importance of WTO accession and demonstrate that the system works for least developed countries."

Highlighting Ethiopia's intensified efforts to address outstanding issues, Minister Yasmin updated the Working Party on the legislative progress made since the seventh Working Party meeting, including on foreign exchange and payments, customs administration and taxation. She also presented the country's procedures governing trading rights and import licensing. Minister Yasmin noted that other reforms are underway on other duties and charges, internal and export taxes and trade-related intellectual property rights (TRIPS). A total of 11 bilateral market access agreements have now been signed out of the 17 market access negotiations launched, with many of the remaining ones close to conclusion. Urging members to adopt a pragmatic approach to the remaining negotiations, she said: "Ethiopia will do its part. We count on your support to do yours." Minister Yasmin's statement is available here.

WTO Deputy Director-General Xiangchen Zhang commended Ethiopia's continuing engagement despite the change of government. "WTO accession can help anchor Ethiopia's reforms and deepen its integration into the global economy, creating clear benefits for Ethiopia and the WTO membership," he said. Highlighting the importance Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala attaches to this accession process, he confirmed the WTO Secretariat's continued support alongside development partners, such as the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the International Trade Centre.

WTO members expressed their continued support for Ethiopia's accession while welcoming the government's ongoing commitment and progress in the accession process. They also identified areas for further legislative follow up to move the process further forward.

Working Party Chair Rebecca Fisher-Lamb (the United Kingdom) welcomed the good progress in the bilateral market access negotiations and the substantive exchanges between Ethiopia and WTO members to review the latest reforms. Appreciating Ethiopia's continued efforts to address members' requests for specific action, the Chair urged the new government to continue to pursue legislative and regulatory reforms expeditiously. She also encouraged Ethiopia and WTO members to sustain engagement between each Working Party cycle to help resolve the remaining issues. 

Next steps

On the bilateral track, Ethiopia and WTO members were invited to intensify engagement, finalize remaining bilateral market access negotiations and sign agreements as soon as possible. After having received all market access agreements, the WTO Secretariat would consolidate them into Ethiopia's draft Schedules on Goods and Services, followed by technical verification by signatory members.

On the multilateral track, members were invited to submit written questions and comments by 8 December. The WTO Secretariat was mandated to revise and streamline the Draft Working Party Report. Ethiopia was invited to continue updating the Working Party on its legislative progress.

The next Working Party meeting could be scheduled contingent upon progress made in the accession negotiations.

More information about Ethiopia's accession is available here.

Information about WTO accessions can be found here.