Ethiopia today signed a national agreement with AeTrade Group, an African diaspora-led business venture, to establish its East African headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
At the signing ceremony, Foreign Minister Mesganu Arga said the agreement was important in supporting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), creating jobs, encouraging new enterprises and supporting digital printing.
The Prime Minister also stressed the Ethiopian government’s commitment to supporting AeTrade Group in operating its regional headquarters in Addis Ababa.
AeTrade Group CEO Mulualem Syoum has reiterated the organisation’s commitment to investing in the development of new African businesses with the aim of creating sustainable jobs on a larger scale.
“As Ethiopia has signed and ratified the AfCFTA, we are fully prepared to assist Ethiopian companies in benefiting from this important policy decision,” he added.
The African Electronic Commerce Group (AeTrade) is a stakeholder group comprised of African professionals and entrepreneurs with a vision to develop and implement e-support services to enhance trade in and across Africa.
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) which became operational on the 1st of January 2021 has the potential to improve intra African trade. However, it is facing challenges like payment system integration.
The new agreement can help the smooth take off of the free trade area and help the economy to flourish at local, regional and continental levels.
