Ethiopia has launched a new national initiative aimed at transforming the efficiency and connectivity of its trade corridors with neighboring countries. The Ethio Logistics Corridor Platform (ELCP), officially inaugurated on March 10, 2026, seeks to address longstanding operational bottlenecks within the country’s logistics and transport network.
The platform, established by the Ethio Logistics Sectorial Association (ELSA) as a public-private partnership, is designed to enhance coordination between government agencies and private stakeholders involved in cross-border trade. By fostering collaboration among regulators, service providers, and regional partners, the initiative aims to ensure the timely and cost-effective movement of goods along key routes.
Elizabeth Getahun, Board President of ELSA, described the launch as a milestone in efforts to modernize Ethiopia’s logistics sector. “The platform marks an important step toward unified action where government institutions, private sector players, and regional partners work together to solve logistics challenges and improve corridor efficiency,” she said during the launch event.
As a landlocked country, Ethiopia’s trade heavily depends on its transport links through neighboring states. The ELCP will prioritize modernization of corridor operations with Djibouti, Kenya, South Sudan, Uganda, and Somaliland to facilitate smoother regional trade flows.
The initiative was presented during the Second Public-Private Logistics Platform Conference, where sector stakeholders emphasized the importance of regional integration for reducing import and export costs, shortening transit times, and strengthening Ethiopia’s competitiveness in East Africa.
According to ELSA, the platform will be supported by a dedicated secretariat and technical working groups tasked with implementing sectoral reforms. Research papers presented at the event, under the theme “Enhancing Corridor Efficiency in the Horn of Africa,” outlined key policy directions that will guide future activities under the platform.
