On March 24, 2025, ENA reported from Addis Ababa—Trade and Regional Integration Minister Kassahun Gofe expressed optimism that Ethiopia will complete its WTO accession process during the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14), scheduled for March 2026 in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

At today’s press conference, Kassahun outlined the government’s intention to finalize the WTO accession process during the MC14 scheduled for Yaoundé from June 26-29, 2026.

As stated by the minister, the recently completed fifth negotiation cycle produced favorable outcomes.

Kassahun conveyed his optimism by stating, “Our belief is that we can accomplish our entry into the WTO during the MC14 in Cameroon. I remain hopeful.”

He went into more detail about the advancements made during the fifth negotiation round, emphasizing significant decreases in the quantity of questions raised by World Trade Organization member countries.

“In the fourth negotiation round held in 2020, approximately 181 queries were submitted to Ethiopia. The number has since reduced to 110, indicating significant advancement,” he pointed out.

The minister stated that Ethiopia will deliver detailed written responses by May 2025.

Furthermore, the minister revealed that Ethiopia has initiated bilateral market access talks with 12 out of 17 nations, including major economies like the United States and the European Union, following the principle of reciprocal trade benefits.

He highlighted that during the fifth round of meetings, 19 nations alongside the World Bank expressed backing for Ethiopia’s membership, surpassing typical levels of approval and anticipations.

Minister Kassahun Gofe stated that Ethiopia has been diligently working towards joining the WTO since 1999, having gained observer status in 2003.

Last week, during the discussions, Ethiopia emphasized its present economic situation and the ongoing economic changes, he mentioned.

The following negotiation session is set for this July.

According to the minister, the Ethiopian government has set up a systematic procedure involving a 35-member technical committee that carries out weekly evaluations along with a negotiation team that conducts bi-weekly assessments.

The minister further noted that numerous countries view Ethiopia as a nation with a GDP exceeding $206 billion and experiencing rapid economic growth. They believe that Ethiopia’s accession to the WTO would present significant market opportunities for fellow member states.

He mentioned that certain countries have gone through lengthy negotiation processes, involving over 12 rounds of talks, before successfully joining the WTO.

He mentioned that the possible advantages for Ethiopia joining the WTO entail functioning within a stable international marketplace.