Ethiopia is negotiating to enter the African Continental Free Trade Area, which aims to create a free, single continental market for goods and services.

Last week, the latest negotiation was held in Cairo, Egypt during the seventh ministerial meeting. Ethiopia was represented by Mamo Meheretu, Chief Trade Negotiator and senior adviser to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD), who led a committee composed of professionals from the ministries of Trade, Finance, Revenues and Foreign Affairs.

“We didn’t get into negotiation to accept what is suggested by others,” says Mamo. “We want to the shape the negotiation.”

The negotiation was held prior to the first Intra-African Trade Fair organised by the African Export-Import Bank. Held for seven days, the fair aimed at creating a platform for sharing trade, investment and market information.

“We want to develop the export and import transaction; boost the service sector, especially the aviation service; and improve the free movement of people,

Currently, inter-Africa trade stood at 15pc only, while trading among European and Asian countries reached 59pc and 51pc, respectively.

During the opening session, the former Nigerian president, Olusegun Obasanjo, called upon the continent to ratify the agreement.

"It is imperative that all African governments, who believe in Africa’s progress,” Obasanjo said to the gathering, "should not only sign the agreement but should ratify it at once."

Earlier this year, the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement was signed by 44 out of 55 African Union member countries. Ethiopia is one of the signatories.

The negotiation, when successful, is believed to bring together a continent of one billion people and a combined gross domestic product of more than 3.4 trillion dollars.

So far only 14 countries have ratified or approved the agreement that included Kenya, Rwanda and Chad. To be placed into full force, the agreement needs ratification by at least 22 countries.

On the latest negotiation, Ethiopia put forward three priorities for negotiation prior to signing the agreement, according to Mamo.