Economy

Long-awaited chamber proclamation expected to clear by end of 2026

Capital Ethiopia · 5 hours ago · Read the Full Story on Capital Ethiopia
Long-awaited chamber proclamation expected to clear by end of 2026
AI SUMMARY

Ethiopia's long-awaited draft proclamation to modernize its chamber of commerce framework has entered its final legislative phase and is expected to be approved by the end of 2026.

  • Ethiopia's draft proclamation to modernize the chamber of commerce framework is currently with the Office of the Prime Minister.
  • The new law seeks to replace Proclamation No. 341/2003, which has governed private-sector representation for over two decades.
  • Stakeholders and business leaders expect the draft bill to be approved by the end of 2026.
  • The reform supports Ethiopia's broader macroeconomic agenda and prepares businesses for the African Continental Free Trade Area.
  • Proclamation No. 148/1978 previously dismantled independent chambers under the Derg regime, turning them into state-controlled distribution and price-control systems.
  • Proclamation No. 341 established the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations in the 1990s but separated general chambers from specialised sectoral associations.
  • Drafting efforts to amend Proclamation No. 341 began in 2017 but faced nine years of delays due to structural disagreements.
  • The Ministry of Industry previously pushed for a separate industry chamber, while the Ministry of Trade and ECCSA supported maintaining a single, integrated structure.
  • An inter-ministerial consensus was eventually reached to maintain a single, unified chamber of commerce covering both trade and manufacturing.
  • The draft proclamation introduces statutory mechanisms for financial independence, allowing the chamber network to collect service fees for various commercial services.
  • The proposed law strengthens commercial dispute-resolution mechanisms and introduces transparent leadership election procedures and national governance guidelines.