The UK’s leading freight forwarding association has signed a new agreement to support Ethiopia’s efforts in modernising its logistics sector—one of the country’s most critical economic lifelines.
The British International Freight Association (BIFA) and the Ethiopian Freight Forwarders and Shipping Agents Association (EFFSAA) have entered into a strategic partnership to help develop Ethiopia’s freight forwarding and logistics capabilities. The partnership was formalised with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed during a ceremony at the Hilton Hotel in Addis Ababa.
The signing marks a notable step in international cooperation, linking one of the world’s more established logistics bodies with a rapidly emerging African market facing deep-rooted structural challenges in its supply chain sector.
The MoU outlines several areas of cooperation designed to tackle some of Ethiopia’s pressing logistics challenges, including outdated infrastructure, a lack of skilled professionals, and limited access to institutional training.
A Strategic Logistics Alliance
The agreement focuses on four main pillars: strengthening EFFSAA’s institutional role, advisory support for policy and operations, development of specialised training for local professionals, and knowledge exchange between the two associations and their members.
During the visit, senior officials from BIFA met with Ethiopian public and private sector stakeholders, laying the groundwork for future collaboration. The UK delegation also held talks with government officials and development partners to discuss how the logistics sector can align more closely with global best practices.
Dawit Woubshet, president of EFFSAA, described the partnership as a timely move that supports Ethiopia’s long-term economic goals. “EFFSAA’s mission is to build a globally competitive logistics sector that supports Ethiopia’s economic growth by improving workforce skills, encouraging innovation, and creating international linkages,” he said. “The agreement will help Ethiopia’s logistics sector gain valuable experience from a well-established and well-respected trade association, that also has a leading role within the global body for freight forwarding associations, FIATA.”
Addressing Sector Gaps
Despite Ethiopia’s geographic and economic importance in East Africa, its logistics sector remains underdeveloped. Key issues include limited seaport access, reliance on a single trade corridor, fragmented infrastructure, and a mismatch between academic training and practical industry needs.
EFFSAA, established to represent logistics service providers in Ethiopia, plays a growing role in shaping logistics reforms in the country. With the support of BIFA, it hopes to expand its influence and services to its members, many of whom struggle with regulatory hurdles and outdated processes.
Steve Parker, director general of BIFA, highlighted the UK association’s role in supporting emerging markets. “I am pleased that recognition of BIFA’s expertise in numerous areas has led to this MoU, which will see both parties working together on the transformation that is taking place in the Ethiopian logistics sector,” he said. “The agreement will help and benefit Ethiopians in the sector, and hopefully lead to some new lines of business for members of both trade associations.”
Knowledge Transfer and Long-Term Vision
The collaboration is expected to include workshops, webinars, and possibly exchange visits, allowing Ethiopian freight professionals to learn from UK counterparts. Similarly, UK-based forwarders may explore new business opportunities in Ethiopia and the wider East African region.
While the agreement does not include direct funding, it provides a framework for long-term cooperation that could evolve into technical assistance, policy dialogue, and coordinated training curricula tailored to Ethiopia’s needs.
The move is seen as part of a wider trend where international trade associations support capacity building in developing regions to create more resilient, inclusive, and interconnected logistics systems.
