BIFA Press Release | Following the landmark signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) earlier this year, a high-level delegation from the Ethiopian Freight Forwarders and Shipping Agents Association (EFFSAA) has completed a successful week long visit to the UK, hosted by the British International Freight Association.
The visit marks the next phase in a growing partnership aimed at helping to modernise Ethiopia’s freight forwarding and logistics industry and deepen institutional collaboration between the two trade associations, for the mutual benefit of their members, and trade between the two countries.
The MoU, signed in Addis Ababa in May 2025, set out a framework for cooperation focused on capacity building, training, and the exchange of best practices in logistics management and supply chain efficiency.
During the recent UK visit, EFFSAA representatives, along with staff from the Ethiopian Logistics Transformation Office; Ethiopian Maritime Authority; COSMOS Multimodal Transport; Ethio-Djibouti Railway; Ethiopian Railway Corporation; Panafric Global Logistics; Trademark Africa; the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office; and Triple Line Consulting met with BIFA’s leadership team and secretariat staff.
BIFA also arranged visits to several key stakeholder organisations so that the delegation could gain first-hand insight into the UK freight forwarding and logistics sector. These included dnata at Heathrow, London Gateway port and the TT Club.
Discussions focused on operational standards, regulatory frameworks, and approaches to professional training — areas identified as central to supporting Ethiopia’s rapidly developing logistics sector.
Together, these engagements created a full-spectrum strategic learning experience: Sometimes focused on operational issues, and sometimes on regulatory and procedural matters. Physical infrastructure together with institutional infrastructure.
The programme included briefings on customs procedures, digitalisation in logistics, and sustainable supply chain practices.
During the week, two members of the Ethiopian delegation attended the Transaid Showcase and met with Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal (Princess Anne), patron of the sub-Saharan development charity, with which BIFA has a long standing partnership.
Having also met with Transaid’s CEO, Caroline Barber, at the event, the EFFSSA is keen to explore how Transaid’s programmes to improve transport safety can be extended into the Ethiopian market.
BIFA’s training team also introduced the Ethiopian delegates to the association’s professional development programmes — including the BTEC-accredited Freight and Customs courses — as potential models for training freight professionals in Ethiopia.
The week concluded with a reception at the Ethiopian Embassy, hosted by the Ethiopian ambassador to the UK, H.E. Biruk Mekonnen, who expressed his support for the work being done by BIFA in association with the EFFSAA to effect change and improvements to his country’s logistics sector.
BIFA Director General Steve Parker highlighted the importance of practical collaboration.
He said: “This visit represented a significant step forward in translating our agreement into action. By sharing expertise and building institutional connections, we are helping to create a stronger, more globally integrated logistics sector in Ethiopia — one that can compete on the world stage.”
“At the heart of this initiative is the objective of improving cargo continuity along the corridor between Ethiopia and the United Kingdom – a corridor with both high growth potential and strong strategic relevance for Ethiopian export development.
“The visit contributes directly to Ethiopia’s wider logistics reforms and industrial modernisation work, where trade facilitation is increasingly recognised as both an economic enabler and a credibility signal to investors.
EFFSAA President Dawit Woubishet expressed appreciation for BIFA’s continued support, noting that the visit had been invaluable in identifying actionable strategies for professionalising Ethiopia’s logistics industry:
“Our time in the UK has provided us with a clear understanding of how associations like BIFA support their members through training, advocacy, and technical guidance. This will inform how we structure our own programmes and partnerships in Ethiopia as we work to raise standards and attract international investment.”
The collaboration between BIFA and EFFSAA has already attracted attention within the wider logistics community and development circles, as Ethiopia positions itself as a key trade gateway for East Africa. The UK visit reinforced both organisations’ commitment to ongoing cooperation through:
- Joint training initiatives tailored to Ethiopian freight professionals
- Advisory support on industry regulation and standards development
- Exchange visits and mentoring programmes to strengthen institutional capacity
- Facilitation of international networking through FIATA and other global logistics bodies
Ethiopia’s logistics industry continues to expand in line with the country’s broader economic development agenda, but faces challenges related to infrastructure, digital adoption, and workforce skills. The partnership with BIFA — one of the world’s most experienced and respected freight associations — is expected to help accelerate progress in each of these areas.
As both associations reaffirm their commitment to collaboration, the EFFSAA visit to the UK serves as a strong demonstration of how international cooperation can drive capacity building and foster sustainable growth within emerging logistics markets.
Media contact:
Ian Matheson, Impress Communications
+447894 406762 info@impresscommunications.org
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