This is highlighted during a business seminar hosted by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). Staged in the premises of UNECA HQ, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the business conference has attracted more than 200 businesses that are members of Addis Chamber.
Theme on unleashing the procurement opportunities at the UN for local businesses, the business conference brought forward keynote address and expertise view on how to properly unleash the African continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA) for wider economic and social development.
In his keynote address to the gathering, Zekarias Assefa, A/ Secretary General from Addis Chamber, applauds the role of the seminar in providing a clear overview of how to use the procurement opportunities that are offered by UN for local businesses.
Underlining that procurement has changed from an administrative to strategic function with the overarching principles of value for money , integrity and sustainable outcomes , Mr.Zekarias further highlights the role of the conference in reinforcing the relationship between suppliers and business partners as well as to inform them about UN procurement rules, procedures , and technicalities.
The 2025 UN Business Conference was also remarkable in highlighting an overview of ACFTA where the continental trade platform is an ideal opportunity to enhance trade and economic integration among African states where intra African trade is still low. While sharing rich insights about ACFTA, Bereket Alemayehu , an expert on trade, investment, and other legal and policy aspects of the AfCFTA and regional integration addresses the opportunities , potentials and challenges of ACFTA in Africa and current endeavors exerted by African nations and institutes in designing implementation strategies.
Amidst of his remarks comes the endeavors of the Ethiopian government in taking bold measures in liberalizing the economy progressively, as well as applauds efforts to put in place the national ACFTA strategic document among others.
He went on to say that ACFTA, the biggest continental platform, to play fundamental role in boosting intra Africa trade and market opportunities. Yet the road ahead is not easy to carry out ACFTA as he further urges business communities on the need to work on value addition, building technical capability, to take lessons and updates with the changing business landscapes as well as he calls on governments to consider supporting private sector through designing and implementing friendly policies to materialize ease of doing business from ACFTA perspective.
In his remark to the conference, Mr. Ali Assad, Chair of Common Logistics and Procurement Working Group, calls on businesses to make use of the procurement opportunities of UN through fulfilling the criteria set by the UN such as cost, quality and delivery.
The half day conference was also instrumental in facilitating discussion platforms where business representatives raised issues towards UN procurement opportunities and procedures.
The seminar also honors and acknowledges partners who made contribution for the 2025 business conference to be a success and Addis Chamber through its acting secretary general received a certificate of recognition.
