World Trade Organization (WTO): Ethiopia’s WTO Accession and Strengthening India–Ethiopia Strategic Partnership

Why in News ?

Recently, India and Ethiopia signed a bilateral accession protocol in the context of Ethiopia’s membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO). The signing took place during a ceremony held in Geneva. 

WTO Accession Process

• Under the WTO accession process, it is necessary to align domestic economic and trade policies with WTO rules and negotiate market access commitments with existing member countries.
• Ethiopia is currently at an advanced stage of its accession process, and the seventh meeting of its Working Party was held on 22–23 April 2026. 
• As Ethiopia continues reforms in its economic and trade policies through the WTO accession process, new opportunities are expected to emerge for enhanced trade, investment, and business cooperation between India and Ethiopia.

About the World Trade Organization (WTO)

• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
• Established: 1 January 1995
• Created through: Uruguay Round negotiations (1986–94)
• Membership: 166 members representing around 98% of global trade
• Budget: 205 million Swiss francs for 2024
• Secretariat Staff: 623

Objectives and Goals

• The World Trade Organization (WTO) is the only international organization dealing with the rules of trade between nations.
• At its core are the WTO agreements, negotiated and signed by most trading nations of the world and ratified by their respective parliaments.
• The fundamental objective of the WTO, as stated in its founding agreement, is to use trade as a means to improve people’s living standards, create better employment opportunities, and promote sustainable development.

Functions of WTO

• Administer trade agreements.
• Provide a forum for trade negotiations.
• Settle trade disputes.
• Monitor national trade policies.
• Provide technical assistance and training for developing countries.
• Promote cooperation with other international organizations.

India–Ethiopia Relations

• India and Ethiopia share deep people-to-people ties and long-standing civilizational relations.
• India is Ethiopia’s second-largest trading partner, and Indian companies are among the leading foreign investors in Ethiopia.
• During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Ethiopia in December 2025, bilateral relations between the two countries were elevated to the level of a Strategic Partnership.