Ethiopia's Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration delivered 2,659,605 online trade registration and licensing services over the past eight months, surpassing its target by 10% as the country accelerates digital transformation of business registration.
The ministry achieved 110% of its planned target , originally set at 2,427,320 services, according to Minister Kassahun Gofe (PhD) during his presentation to the House of Peoples' Representatives.
"While the plan was to provide 2,427,320 trade registration and licensing services, 2,659,605 services were successfully delivered," Gofe told parliament members.
The online platform enables entrepreneurs to register businesses and obtain licenses remotely, eliminating the need for physical visits to government offices. The system covers trade registration and licensing services, with the ministry recently expanding digital coverage to include export contract registration and shipping permit services.
The ministry has positioned itself as a key driver of Ethiopia's "Digital Ethiopia 2030" vision, using technology to streamline bureaucratic processes that have historically created barriers for business formation.
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The performance reflects broader government efforts to improve Ethiopia's ease of doing business rankings and reduce administrative bottlenecks that have constrained private sector growth. Digital business registration systems have become increasingly important across Africa, with countries like Rwanda and Kenya demonstrating how online platforms can accelerate formal business creation and improve tax collection.
Ethiopia's business registration digitization comes as the government implements wider economic reforms, including foreign exchange liberalization and telecommunications sector opening, aimed at attracting investment and formalizing the economy.
