The Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations hosted a panel discussion yesterday with city trade officials and investment advisors, advocating for streamlined business operations and boosted international competitiveness. Participants emphasized that while securing a business license in the Ethiopian capital has become significantly easier, closing or canceling a permit remains a lengthy and frustrating ordeal. Stakeholders urged the administration to simplify the license cancellation framework to match the efficiency of its issuance process.
During the session, private sector representatives outlined critical structural challenges impacting local enterprises. Discussions focused on heavy regulatory tariffs straining merchant capacity, alongside calls for durable, long-term proclamations to stabilize the market. Additionally, panelists highlighted the need for clear guidelines regarding capital markets and urged commercial banks to raise collateral-free lending limits for emerging manufacturers to foster economic growth across the city.
In response, Meketa Adafre, Director of Trade Transaction Expansion at the Addis Ababa Trade Bureau, pointed to recent achievements, including scaled-down professional qualification requirements and expanded online licensing platforms. Addressing cancellation delays, he noted that obtaining tax clearance from the Revenues Bureau is technically sufficient to close a license, while acknowledging that joint institutional efforts must be strengthened to eliminate operational bottlenecks and corruption.
Providing updates on local industrial output, Paulos Kusa, Head of the Manufacturing Industry Sector at the Industry Development Bureau, highlighted ongoing infrastructure developments on the outskirts of the capital. He explained that newly constructed industrial parks and production sheds have successfully bolstered local manufacturing capacity. This expansion has enabled domestic enterprises to produce large volumes of essential goods, including apparel, footwear, and office furniture, reducing reliance on imports.
The forum concluded with a shared commitment between public authorities and private actors to foster collaborative reform strategies in Addis Ababa. As the municipal government advances its digital transition, business leaders remain optimistic that lingering administrative friction will be systematically resolved. Future panel sessions are expected to monitor progress on financial access and regulatory predictability.