- EFFSAA delegation visited the UK as part of a post-MoU engagement with BIFA to advance Ethiopia’s freight and logistics capabilities.
- Focus areas included training, digitalisation, and sustainability, with site visits to dnata (Heathrow), London Gateway Port, and TT Club.
- BIFA showcased its BTEC-accredited courses as potential templates for Ethiopia’s freight and customs training.
A high-level delegation from the Ethiopian Freight Forwarders and Shipping Agents Association (EFFSAA) has concluded a comprehensive week-long mission to the United Kingdom, marking a significant step forward in Ethiopia’s logistics modernisation agenda and its expanding partnership with UK freight forwarders. The visit, hosted by the British International Freight Association (BIFA), builds on the Memorandum of Understanding signed in Addis Ababa in May 2025 to strengthen cooperation in training, capacity development, and global best-practice exchange.
A Structured Effort to Modernise Ethiopia’s Logistics Ecosystem
The MoU established a clear pathway for collaboration, focusing on enhancing skills, improving industry standards, and advancing institutional capabilities within Ethiopia’s freight forwarding community. This latest visit formally operationalises the agreement by bringing together stakeholders from across Ethiopia’s logistics ecosystem.
The delegation included senior representatives from the Ethiopian Logistics Transformation Office, Ethiopian Maritime Authority, COSMOS Multimodal Transport, Ethio-Djibouti Railway, Ethiopian Railway Corporation, Panafric Global Logistics, Trademark Africa, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, and Triple Line Consulting. Their engagements with BIFA’s leadership and technical teams provided an immersive understanding of UK freight forwarding operations, regulatory frameworks, and supply chain governance models.
Operational Insights Through Field Visits and Industry Engagements
To ensure a comprehensive learning experience, BIFA coordinated visits to major logistics installations, including dnata’s operations at Heathrow Airport, London Gateway port, and the TT Club. These visits offered real-time exposure to advanced cargo handling processes, multimodal connectivity, risk management frameworks, and insurance solutions that underpin the UK’s mature logistics environment.
Discussions throughout the week focused on:
- Operational standards and conformity assessment
- Regulatory frameworks governing freight forwarding
- Digitalisation of logistics workflows
- Customs modernisation and border procedures
- Sustainable supply chain and environmental practices
This combination of operational insight and policy-level dialogue allowed the Ethiopian delegation to gain a holistic understanding of how physical and institutional infrastructure work together to support a globally competitive logistics sector.
Strengthening Professional Training and Industry Competence
A major component of the mission centred on human capital development — an area both associations consider critical for Ethiopia’s logistics transformation. BIFA’s training division introduced the delegation to its structured professional development programmes, including the internationally recognised BTEC-accredited Freight and Customs qualifications.
EFFSAA is evaluating these models as potential frameworks for expanding Ethiopia’s own training ecosystem, with an emphasis on technical skills, regulatory literacy, and professional certification to uplift industry standards across freight forwarders, customs brokers, and multimodal operators.
Collaboration with Transaid to Enhance Transport Safety
During the visit, two members of the Ethiopian delegation attended the Transaid Showcase, where they met Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal (Princess Anne), patron of the organisation. Follow-up discussions with Transaid CEO Caroline Barber opened avenues to explore the adaptation of Transaid’s transport safety initiatives for Ethiopian conditions, particularly in road safety and professional driver training.
Diplomatic Support for Logistics Sector Reform
The mission culminated in a reception at the Ethiopian Embassy in London, hosted by Ambassador H.E. Biruk Mekonnen. The ambassador highlighted the strategic importance of upgrading Ethiopia’s logistics capabilities and praised the ongoing cooperation between BIFA and EFFSAA as a model of industry-led reform.
Industry Leaders Reinforce Commitment to Transformation
BIFA Director General Steve Parker emphasised the tangible progress achieved through the week’s engagements:
“This visit represents a major step in turning our MoU into actionable, industry-shaping cooperation. By sharing expertise and strengthening institutional ties, we are supporting the emergence of a more globally competitive logistics sector in Ethiopia.”
He also highlighted that a key objective is enhancing cargo continuity along the Ethiopia–UK trade corridor, a route with growing relevance for both manufacturing and export diversification.
EFFSAA President Dawit Woubishet described the visit as foundational for Ethiopia’s logistics evolution:
“Our engagement in the UK provided clear insights into how associations support their members through structured training, advocacy, and technical guidance. These learnings will directly inform our programme development as we work to elevate industry standards and attract global investment.”
A Long-Term Partnership for Logistics Transformation
The collaboration between BIFA and EFFSAA is gaining international attention as Ethiopia continues to position itself as a competitive trade gateway for East Africa. Both organisations reaffirmed their commitment to advancing shared goals through:
- Joint training programmes tailored to Ethiopian industry needs
- Advisory support on regulatory reform and standards development
- Exchange visits and mentoring to strengthen institutional capacity
- Facilitating global networking through FIATA and other logistics bodies
Looking Ahead
Ethiopia’s logistics industry is expanding rapidly in line with national economic reforms, but challenges around infrastructure, digital adoption, and workforce skills remain. The partnership with BIFA — one of the world’s most experienced freight associations — is expected to accelerate progress across all three dimensions.
The delegation’s UK visit stands as a clear demonstration of how structured international cooperation can drive meaningful capacity building, improve trade competitiveness, and support sustainable development within emerging logistics markets.
