The Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations (ECCSA) is a non-profit, autonomous private sector organization responsible for trade promotion and private sector development. The Ethiopian Chambers of Commerce and Sectoral Associations (ECCSA) is a 75-year-old institution representing the private sector nationwide. It serves as a bridge between businesses and the government, advocating for policy reforms, promoting trade, and supporting economic development.
Historical Overview
ECCSA traces its roots back to 1947, when Ethiopia’s first chamber of commerce was established under General Notice No. 90/1947, operating on a voluntary membership basis. The first chamber of commerce in the history of Ethiopia was established pursuant to General Notice No. 90/1947 which clearly defined the functions and duties of chamber and membership was voluntary.
In 1962, the organization renamed Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and evolved to the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations (ECCSA) in 2003 under Proclamation No. 341/2003, allowing free market policy. In 1971 the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce (ECC) has been reorganized with branches in Asmara, Dire Dawa, Jimma, Gonder & Nazareth.
Changes in Structure and Membership
Following the change of government in 1974, Proclamation No. 148/1974, which was basically a public law, was promulgated and the Ethiopian chamber of commerce was restructured in line with centrally planned economic policy of the then government. Membership had become mandatory.
In 2003, Proclamation No. 341/2003 the re-constitute of chambers of commerce was based on Developmental Democratic System. Accordingly, in line with this the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce has been restructured and renamed as the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce & Sectoral Associations (ECCSA).
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ECCSA Today
ECCSA is an Autonomous, Non-for-Profit, Non-Partisan, Private Sector institution and membership based organization. ECCSA was established with the aim of projecting trade and investment, inter alia, in a bid to creating a vibrant private sector and business friendly environment, working in cooperation with the government, business community, development partners and stakeholders.
Organizational Structure
ECCSA has eighteen members including nine Regional Chambers of Commerce and Sectoral Associations, two City Chambers of Commerce and Sectoral Associations, one National Chamber of Sectoral Association and six Sectoral Associations organized at national level. The higher decision making body at the Chamber system is the General Assembly (GA) which is composed of the representatives of member chambers of commerce and sectoral associations of ECCSA.
The GA elects the president, the vice president and nine Board of Directors every two years.
Board of Directors
The current board of directors consists of:
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- Mr. Sebsib Abafira Abajobir - President
- Dr. Aynalem Abayneh Mamo - Vice President
- Eng. Alemayehu Nigatu Kebede - Board Member
- Megabi. Taye Leta Elema - Board Member
- Mr. Esmael Ali Mohammed - Board Member
- Haji. Ahmed kelifa Zeruke - Board Member
- Mr. Abebayehu Girma Wondimu - Board Member
- Mr. Berihu Haftu Girmay - Board Member
- Mr. Sani Hassen Hussen - Board Member
- Mr. Dawud Hamolo Gado - Board Member
ECCSA's Role in Ethiopia's Economic Landscape
Featuring sustained growth rates of around 10% between 2005 and 2015, Ethiopia used to be among the fastest growing economies worldwide, earning it the nickname ‘African Lion’. Confirming previous research, workshops and conferences held in 2018/19 revealed that one of the reasons why the developmental state model had come under pressure was the absence of symbiotic relationships between the state under the EPRDF and the private sector.
ECCSA and the Developmental State Project
Contrary to the experience of the Asian Tigers, business associations in Ethiopia have often been portrayed as co-opted and unable to represent the interests of their members. This article documents the relationships between the state under the EPRDF regime and the chambers of commerce between 1991 and 2017 and investigates how state-business relations have affected the operationalisation of the EPRDF's developmental state project.
The article demonstrates that, rather than simply repressing the chambers of commerce, the EPRDF's approach has been characterised by the twin objectives of (1) curbing the power of the chambers of commerce and their members to prevent challenges to its rule and (2) mobilising the chambers and their members as part of its developmental state programme.
ECCSA's Challenges and Future Developments
The study identifies key challenges such as lack of a formal consultation mechanism and inadequate resources, limiting the advocacy effectiveness of business associations in Ethiopia. Ethiopian business associations, typically voluntary and under-resourced, contrast with developed economies where mandatory membership ensures financial stability and effective representation of diverse interests.
Sectoral associations are vital in addressing industry-specific concerns, but their effectiveness is limited by weak membership engagement and insufficient service delivery. Improving internal governance, transparency, and offering tailored services can significantly enhance member engagement and representation within Ethiopian business associations.
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