AliExpress, a subsidiary of Alibaba Group, is set to launch in Ethiopia.
According to Dr. Abiyot Bayu, Senior Advisor to Ethiopia’s Minister of Innovation and Technology, an agreement has been finalized, and an official announcement will be made soon.
This development follows a partnership five years ago between the Ethiopian Ministry of Innovation and Technology and Alibaba Group.
They had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to build the country’s digital economy and develop an Electronic World Trade Platform (eWTP).
On August 7, 2024, Ethiopian officials and a team from Alibaba, led by Senior Advisor Chandee Zhuang, held a virtual meeting, which led to this recent progress.
The entry of AliExpress into Ethiopia is expected to boost job creation, encourage startup innovation, and increase the country’s export potential by promoting local products globally.
Alibaba, which started in 1999 as an online wholesale marketplace for small businesses, launched AliExpress in 2010 as a business-to-consumer (B2C) platform.
To attract foreign investment, Ethiopia has introduced reforms, including Directive No. 1001/2024, which allows foreign participation in export, import, wholesale, and retail trade.
The Ethiopian Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration has also introduced a new licensing system for electronic platforms, making it easier for e-commerce businesses to operate.
 By December 2023, around 45 licenses had been issued to e-commerce businesses in Ethiopia.
