In 2022, a historic policy reform was implemented by the Ethiopian Ministry of Trade, the Ministry of Innovation and Technology, and the Ministry of Agriculture, catalyzing the expansion of digital economies throughout the country.
This groundbreaking move came after over two years over extensive analyses of regulatory frameworks, alongside thorough evaluations of the financial, technical, and legal aspects of integrating e-commerce within Ethiopia's agricultural sector. The Ministry of Trade's pivotal decision to include e-commerce in the national trade classifications marked a significant turning point.
This introduction of the new trade classification spurred a series of reforms that revolutionized digital banking services. It enabled the implementation of electronic signatures and digital receipts for transactions, thereby laying a robust foundation for the emergence and growth of new e-commerce enterprises. These changes represent a significant leap forward in Ethiopia's journey towards a digitally empowered economy, especially in the context of its burgeoning agricultural sector.