Addis Ababa, March, 24, 2025 (FMC)—Ethiopia is optimistic to finalize its World Trade Organization (WTO) accession process at the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) to be convened in Yaoundé, Cameroon, in March 2026, Trade and Regional Integration Minister Kassahun Gofe said.
In a press conference he gave today, Kassahun expressed the government’s plan to conclude the WTO accession process at the MC14 to be held Yaoundé from 26-29, 2026.
According to the minister, the recently concluded fifth round of negotiations yielded positive results.
Kassahun expressed his hope “We believe that we can achieve accession of WTO at the MC14 in Cameroon. I am hopeful.”
He further elaborated on the progress achieved during the fifth round of negotiations, highlighting notable reductions in the number of inquiries posed by member states of WTO.
“In the fourth round of negotiations in 2020, some 181 questions were presented to Ethiopia. This figure has now decreased to 110, which signifies substantial progress,” he noted.
The minister indicated that Ethiopia will provide comprehensive written responses by May, 2025.
Moreover, the minister disclosed that Ethiopia has commenced bilateral market access negotiations with 12 out of 17 countries, including key players such as the United States and the European Union, adhering to a principle of mutual exchange.
He emphasized that 19 countries, along with the World Bank, voiced their support for Ethiopia’s accession during the fifth round of meeting, exceeding a level of normal endorsement and expectations.
Minister Kassahun Gofe explained that Ethiopia has been actively pursuing WTO accession processes since 1999, with observer status since 2003.
During the negotiations held last week, Ethiopia has highlighted its current economic performance and the economic reforms, he added.
The next round of negotiations is scheduled for July this year.
The Ethiopian government has established a structured process, with a 35-member technical committee conducting weekly reviews and a negotiating team conducting bi-weekly reviews, according to the minister.
The minister also stated that several countries consider Ethiopia with a GDP of more than 206 billion dollars and a fast growing economy, where its entry into the WTO will create a large market opportunity for member nations.
He also indicated that some nations have undergone extensive negotiation processes, spanning more than 12 rounds, before securing WTO membership.
He stated the potential benefits of Ethiopia by joining WTO include operating in a predictable global market, as called by local newswire service ENA.