Ethiopia’s Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration has inaugurated a 1.7 billion birr cold storage and logistics facility in Akaki, Addis Ababa, aimed at modernizing the handling of agricultural and livestock products.

The facility, built by the Ethiopia Trade Enterprises Corporation, spans 11,400 square metres and can store more than 20,000 quintals of fruits and vegetables and 10,000 quintals of livestock. It features modern cold storage and handling infrastructure to improve efficiency and reduce post-harvest losses.

Minister Kassahun Gofe (PhD) visited the site alongside Addis Ababa Mayor Adanech Abiebie and other officials, describing the project as a structural shift in Ethiopia’s trade operations. “The upgrades will streamline trade, expand modern logistics, and strengthen distribution networks for agricultural products,” he said.

Officials said the initiative aligns local trade practices with international standards, enhances market linkages, and supports national economic growth, including through the export of staple crops. The project also aims to make high-quality storage and distribution more accessible to the wider community while improving Ethiopia’s competitiveness in global markets.