Africa Has 'Very Big Untapped Potential': Ethiopian Logistics Leader Outlines Path to Intra-Trade Growth & Self-Reliance

Africa, with its 1.3 billion people, needs to prioritize internal trade, Dawit Woubshet, President of Ethiopian Freight Forwarders and Shipping Agents Association, told Sputnik Africa at the Africa Maritime Conference.

The continent’s heavy reliance on raw material exports and limited intra-African commerce are major obstacles to growth, he noted.

Woubshet stressed the need for Africa to add value to its resources and trade finished goods within the continent instead of importing them. He acknowledged that disorganization, weak collaboration, and a lack of trust among African nations hinder joint ventures.

👉 The African Continental Free Trade Area, the expert noted, offers a crucial opportunity to boost trade, knowledge-sharing, and connectivity, such as using the Ethiopian Shipping Line to serve landlocked countries.

🏳️ He also highlighted Ethiopia’s BRICS membership as a strategic advantage, noting the potential benefits of partnering with economic powerhouses like Russia, China, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia.

Woubshet pointed to the BRICS bank as a source of:

🟠technology,
🟠infrastructure investment,
🟠digital resources,
🟠vital capital for developing nations.

Watch the video to see how Africa can build a unified voice regarding its logistics and maritime. 👆

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