Ethiopian Minister Calls for Elimination of Trade Barriers to Boost AfCFTA Benefits.

Addis Ababa: Ethiopia's Minister of Trade and Integration, Kassahun Gofe, emphasized the need for collective efforts to eliminate trade barriers, harmonize regulations, and ensure equitable benefits for all member states from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The minister's remarks were made during a dinner reception he hosted for participants of the 15th Council of Ministers Meeting of the AfCFTA at Friendship Square.According to Ethiopian News Agency, the minister welcomed participants to Addis Ababa, highlighting the city as a welcoming home for all Africans. He noted the city's enhanced attractions and reiterated the commitment to transforming Africa into a unified economic powerhouse. AfCFTA aims to foster economic integration by creating a single market for goods and services, enhancing intra-African trade, and positioning the continent competitively in the global economy.The Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, Wamkele Mene, expressed appreciation to the Ethiopian government for hosting the session, acknowledging Ethiopia's commitment to economic reforms, infrastructure development, and job creation. He noted the visible transformational changes in Addis Ababa, attributing them to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's reforms. These reforms align with AfCFTA's objectives, enabling Ethiopia to increase jobs, spur innovation, and become competitive and industrially significant.