Ethiopia is set to officially begin trading within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in one month, the Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration announced.

According to State Minister of Trade and Regional Integration Endalew Mekonnen, the ministry is actively working to prepare local exporters to capitalize on the opportunities presented by the AfCFTA agreement.

The State Minister confirmed that Ethiopia’s tariff reduction rates for the free trade zone have been approved by the Council of Ministers and communicated to partner countries, clearing a key hurdle for the start of trade. He added that 22 other member nations have also prepared their respective tariff documents.

The AfCFTA agreement has been signed by 54 African countries. Of these, 47 nations, including Ethiopia, have now ratified the agreement, making it legally binding under their domestic laws.