Policy & Compliance
Building an expanding relationship with Ethiopia BIFA’s international collaboration has seen it share best practice and knowledge with the Ethiopian Freight Forwarders and Shipping Agents Association
F ollowing the landmark signing of a was delighted to host a high-level delegation from the Ethiopian Freight Forwarders and Shipping Agents Association (EFFSAA) for a successful week-long visit to the UK in late October. The visit marked 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 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) earlier this year, the BIFA secretariat
charity, with which BIFA has a longstanding partnership. Having also met with Transaid’s CEO, Caroline Barber, at the event, the EFFSAA 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. Embassy reception The week concluded with a reception at the Ethiopian Embassy, hosted by the Ethiopian ambassador to the UK, Biruk McKonnen, 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. Steve Parker, BIFA Director General, highlighted the importance of practical collaboration. He said: “This visit represented a signi fi cant 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 UK – 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.” Dawit Woubishet, EFFSAA President, expressed appreciation for BIFA’s continued support, noting that the visit had been invaluable in identifying actionable strategies for professionalising Ethiopia’s logistics industry. He said: “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
trade associations, for the mutual bene fi t of their members, and trade between the two countries. The MoU, signed in Addis Ababa in June 2025, set out a framework for cooperation focused on capacity building, training and the exchange of best practice in logistics management and supply chain ef fi ciency. During the recent UK visit, EFFSAA representatives, along with staff from the Ethiopian Logistics Transformation Of fi ce, Ethiopian Maritime Authority, COSMOS, Ethio-Djibouti Railway, Ethiopian Railway Corporation, Panafric Global Logistics, Trademark, the UK FCDO and Triple Line Consulting, met with BIFA’s leadership team and secretariat staff. Stakeholder visits BIFA also arranged visits to several key stakeholder organisations allowing the delegation fi rst-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 identi fi ed 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, as well as physical and institutional infrastructure. The programme included brie fi ngs 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
“ Discussions focused on operational standards, regulatory frameworks, and approaches to professional training — areas identified as central to supporting Ethiopia’s rapidly developing logistics sector
12 | December 2025
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