Diplomatic Mission Plays Pivotal Role in Facilitating Trade, Investment Cooperation in Africa: State Minister

Addis Ababa, April 8, 2025 (ENA)— Diplomatic mission, which is key in facilitating trade, investment and regional economic cooperation needs to be reinforced in Africa, Trade and Regional Integration State Minister of Yasmin Wohabrebbi said.

The 2nd Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Ambassadors meeting on improving trade in the Africa leather sector was held in Addis Ababa today.

Addressing the meeting, Yasmin said today’s gathering is targeted to reaffirm shared commitment to regional integration, sustainable development and inclusive economic transformation.

For the state minister, the meeting holds a particular significance as diplomatic mission plays a pivotal role in facilitating trade, investment and regional economic cooperation.

Through active economic diplomacy, she noted that embassies and consulates can support international trade missions, exhibitions, and joint venture facilitation, among others, she noted.

Africa’s leather industry is rich in potential as it is also crucial for industrialization and value addition, job creation, especially for women and youth, and export diversification.

The state minster pointed out that Ethiopia remains firmly committed to industrialization transformation as a backbone of its development agenda.

African Leather and Leather Products Institute (ALLPI) Executive Director, Nicholas Mudungwe, said the meeting is aimed at exploring how we can amplify the impact of the leather sector for sustainable industrial development.

Noting that Africa has the youngest population in the world and the fastest growing population, he stressed the need for reinforcing collaboration to fully utilize the continent’s potential in the sector.

The meeting was held under the theme "Fostering a Resilient and Inclusive Future for Africa's Leather Value Chain: Balancing Social, Economic and Environmental Priorities to Empower the African Continental Free Trade Area".

In a landmark move to accelerate Africa’s industrialization, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) has unveiled its Leather Value Chain Strategy 2025–2029 recently.