Ethiopia’s Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration (MoTRI) has signed two key agreements with Expertise France and Addis Ababa University (AAU). The strategic partnerships aim to enhance the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement and bolster the nation’s readiness for expanded continental trade.
The signing ceremony featured two distinct accords: a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding between MoTRI and Expertise France, and a landmark tripartite agreement involving MoTRI, Addis Ababa University, and Expertise France.
A centerpiece of the agreement is the establishment of the African Regional Integration Center (ARIC) at Addis Ababa University. Functioning as a high-level academic and research hub, ARIC will launch specialized postgraduate programs designed to train the next generation of trade policy experts, commercial negotiators, and economic analysts. Given Addis Ababa’s role as the diplomatic capital of the continent and headquarters of the African Union, the center is positioned to serve as a vital repository of knowledge, policy dialogue, and research aligned with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 vision for economic transformation.
Highlighting the significance of the accords, Minister of Trade and Regional Yasmin Wohabrebi, stated that aligning Ethiopia’s Homegrown Economic Reform Agenda with trade integration targets requires robust institutions and a highly skilled workforce. She noted that the initiative will drive sustainable economic growth, support quality job creation, and position Ethiopia as an active and influential player within the AfCFTA market.
The Minister added that Ethiopia has already established its national AfCFTA implementation strategy and commenced trading under the continental framework. The new support package will translate strategic goals into concrete outcomes, strengthen execution capacity across both the public and private sectors, boost export diversification, and complement ongoing processes related to Ethiopia’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Expressing the academic sector’s commitment, Dr. Samuel Kifle, President of Addis Ababa University, affirmed that AAU is fully prepared to leverage its educational resources to support the nation’s continental trade objectives. He emphasized that the university will work closely with the ministry to refine trade frameworks, support policy design, and equip future leadership with the practical expertise needed to navigate international trade environments.
Jean-Baptiste, Country Director for Expertise France in Ethiopia, highlighted that the event represents a shared commitment to fostering sustainable development rather than just a formal legal ceremony. Financed through the European Union (EU), the overarching program aims to strengthen local trade infrastructure, enhance regional value chains, build institutional resilience, and support broader economic diversification efforts across Ethiopia.
