AfCFTA boosts competitiveness of Ethiopian grain and oilseed exporters

ETHIOPIA – The Ethiopian Pulses, Oilseeds and Spices Processors-Exporters Association (EPOSPEA) has highlighted strong gains for the country’s exporters under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), noting that market access for grains and oilseeds has expanded significantly since implementation began in September 2018 EFY.

Officials say the tariff-cutting framework is already enhancing competitiveness for pulses and oilseeds in key African markets including Kenya, Somalia and South Africa, where Ethiopia has increased shipments of meat, vegetables, coffee, grains and oilseeds via Ethiopian Airlines cargo and land transport.

EPOSPEA President Edao Abdi said the free trade area is opening a vast marketing frontier for producers across Ethiopia’s agrifood sector.

He emphasized that by gradually removing duties and tariffs between member states, AfCFTA is helping exporters in the pulses and oilseeds subsector position their products more effectively within the continental marketplace.

According to him, the duty-free access is enabling Ethiopian exporters to offer more competitive prices while maintaining quality standards, a combination that is strengthening their foothold in regional supply chains.

Edao noted that Ethiopia’s early participation in AfCFTA has been instrumental in aligning the country’s agribusiness exporters with evolving trade dynamics across Africa.

He explained that the broader continental framework reduces fragmentation, cuts costs associated with cross-border trade, and improves the efficiency of supply routes, particularly important for oilseeds, sesame, and high-value pulses that require predictable logistics to maintain quality during shipment.

Exporters on the ground echo these benefits.

Dagnachew Assefa, a trader in pulses and oilseeds, said the agreement is expanding both the volume and the income potential of exporters by opening new market destinations.

He added that more structured access to regional buyers is encouraging investment in production, storage, and processing facilities at home, which in turn raises the quality and consistency of Ethiopian exports entering the African market.

The impact of AfCFTA is also being felt beyond Ethiopia. Industry figures from across the continent say integration under the free trade area is reshaping Africa’s agricultural trade flows.

Iyasu Isaac, a representative of the National Sesame Seeds Association of Nigeria, described the initiative as a “game-changer” for intra-African trade.

He pointed to Ethiopia’s export performance to Kenya, a fellow AfCFTA member, as evidence of how improved market integration can strengthen regional supply chains for high-demand commodities like sesame, pulses and edible oils.

“The AfCFTA is truly a game-changer. If you look at Ethiopia’s policies and export performance, Kenya, one of the destinations for Ethiopian products, is already benefiting significantly,” Iyasu said.

He stressed that full utilization of the African market, which hosts 1.4 billion people, will generate substantial demand for agricultural goods and create new employment opportunities across member countries.

According to him, streamlining continental trade rules can help African producers capture more value within the region instead of relying on distant export markets.

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