1 Ethiopia Country Profile
Generic Information
Ethiopia, officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is bordered by Eritrea to the north, Djibouti and Somalia to the east, Sudan and South Sudan to the west, and Kenya to the south. With 95,045,679 (2013) inhabitants, Ethiopia is the most populous landlocked country in the world and the second-most populated nation on the African continent. It occupies a total area of 1,100,000 square kilometres (420,000 sq. meters), and its capital and largest city is Addis Ababa.
Find the country in the generic links below:
Wikipedia Country Information Website of Wikipedia on Ethiopia
IMF Country Information Website of the IMF on Ethiopia
Economist Intelligence Unit* Website of the Economist on Ethiopia
(*note - this is a paid service)
Humanitarian Info:
World Food Programme Website of the WFP on Ethiopia
Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs: Website of OCHA on Ethiopia
Facts and Figures:
Wolfram Alpha Website of Wolframalpha on Ethiopia
World Bank Website of the Worldbank on Ethiopia
Population Information: Website of the Worldpopulationreview on Ethiopia
Ethiopia - 1.1 Ethiopia Humanitarian Background
Overview
In 2022 Ethiopia has faced multiple overlapping humanitarian crises, putting at risk the lives and livelihoods of millions of people and driving continued high and urgent needs for humanitarian support. The 2023 Ethiopia Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) requires US$3.99 billion to target more than 20 million people across the country. This includes an estimated 4.6 million internally displaced people (IDPs) In 2023, the prioritized humanitarian response is structured around three strategic objectives, aiming to address immediate lifesaving needs, provide safe and inclusive access to essential services, and contribute to support and build linkages towards recovery and resilience. https://reliefweb.int/report/ethiopia/ethiopia-humanitarian-response-plan-2023-february-2023
Although the end of 2022 brought about peace and improved access in Northern Ethiopia (Afar, Amhara and Tigray) with the signing of the cessation of hostilities agreement (COHA), humanitarian needs stemming from a two-year conflict are still high, and increased support is required to facilitate returns and scale-up recovery efforts. Conflict has continued or escalated in other parts of the country, most notably in Oromia, impeding humanitarian access and driving high needs and displacement within the region and to neighbouring Amhara region. In Benishangul Gumuz region, hundreds of thousands of people remained displaced for most of 2022. https://reliefweb.int/report/ethiopia/ethiopia-humanitarian-response-plan-2023-february-2023
Geologically, the Great Rift Valley is susceptible to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, frequent droughts, flooding in the river basins and deforestation. Nomadic pastoralists are people on a continuous move, and they run into possible conflict with the semi-nomadic pastoralists and neighbouring settlers. Population growth and the concentration of population in major urban centres will put further pressure on the already overburden public infrastructure and water resources. The lack of social services and infrastructure, basic health, modern education and clean water in outlying areas leads to increased migration of people to urban areas. Drought among all hazards has the single greatest impact on social and economic conditions in Ethiopia.
Disasters, Conflicts and Migration
Natural Hazards |
||
---|---|---|
Type |
Occurs |
Comments / Details |
Drought |
Yes |
Jul 1965, Sept 1969, Dec 1973, May 1983, Jun 1987, Oct 1989, Jul 1998, Sept 1999, Nov 2005, 2003, May 2008, Jan 2009, 2015, 2022 |
Earthquakes |
Yes |
Earthquake (seismic activity) 25/08/1906 |
Epidemics |
Yes |
1970, 1981, 1985, 1989 (Meningitis), 2020 (COVID-19) |
Extreme Temperatures |
N/A |
|
Flooding |
Yes |
1968, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022 |
Insect Infestation |
Yes |
2004 and 2019-2021 (locusts) Mar 2017 (armyworm) |
Mudslides |
Yes |
September - Oct 2019 (SNNPR) |
Volcanic Eruptions |
Yes |
Ertale in Afar Region (Rift Valley) (1967 to present), Dabbahu (2005), Dalaffilla (2008), Manda Harraro (2009) |
High Waves / Surges |
N/A |
|
Wildfires |
Yes |
Baley Mountain National Park |
High Winds |
N/A |
|
Additional information
|
Man-made Issues |
||
---|---|---|
Type |
Occurs |
Comments / Details |
Civil Strife |
Yes |
|
International Conflict |
Yes |
Ethiopia vs Eritrea (1998-2000) |
Internally Displaced Persons |
Yes |
|
Refugees Present |
Yes |
Ethiopia hosts over 823,000 refugees and asylum seekers, predominantly from South Sudan, Somalia and Eritrea. |
Landmines / UXO Present |
Yes |
UNMAS identified 35 confirmed hazardous areas measuring 6,340,538 m2 and 226 suspected hazardous areas measuring 1,05,045,013 m2. Areas at risk are mostly in Somali, Tigray and Afar regions. |
Other Comments |
According to the February 2023 WFP Ethiopia Market Watch, the average consumer price index (food inflation) rose to 32% The same source reports that diesel and benzene subsidies were gradually being removed and prices were revised upwards. https://reliefweb.int/report/ethiopia/wfp-ethiopia-market-watch-march-2… According to the 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan 20.1 million people estimated to be in need of humanitarian assistance, including in the sectors of food, agriculture, WASH, health, education, nutrition, protection and ES/NFI. |
Calamities and Seasonal Affects
Seasonal Effects on Transport |
||
---|---|---|
Transport |
Comments |
From (month) to (month) |
Primary Road Transport |
Meher season: All regions (Largest percentage of rainfall) |
June to September |
Secondary and Tertiary Road Transport |
Gu seasonal rains in the Somali Region |
April to June |
Meher seasonal rains (largest percentage of rainfall) |
June to September |
|
Dayr seasonal rains in the Somali Region |
October to December |
|
Road Transport |
During the fertilizer season, transport solutions are mobilized nationally as required by the government for the transportation of fertilizers, which causes limited availabilities of transporters for other commodities, including for humanitarian cargo. Generally, due to late arrival of cargo the pressure on the Djibouti corridor is built Jan onwards. In 2023, due to availability of foreign exchange, significant decrease in commercial and Government imports have been observed. |
November -May |
Rail Transport |
n/a |
- |
Air Transport |
n/a |
- |
Waterway Transport |
n/a |
- |
Seasonal Effects on Storage and Handling |
|||
---|---|---|---|
Activity Type |
Region |
Time Frame |
Comments / Details |
Storage |
Adama |
November to December |
Supplies to the markets of newly produced food crops is relatively higher during this season, which is likely to increase demand for storage facilities and daily laborer. |
Handling |
All |
September to October |
Cultural and religious events such as Ethiopian new year, the finding of the true cross (Maskal), and Errecha (yearly socio-religious festival among Oromo ethnic group) affect handling operations due to mobility of daily laborers to take part in celebrations. |
Other |
All |
March – June |
The level and frequency of stock infestation can be higher during this time than other periods due to high humidity and related climate factors. |
Capacity and Contacts for In-Country Emergency Response
Government
The Ethiopia Disaster Risk Management Commission (EDRMC), formerly known as the National Disaster Risk Management Commission (NDRMC), was formed in 2014 replacing the Disaster Risk Management Food Security Sector (DRMFSS).
The Commission is accountable directly to the Prime Minister’s offices and the National Disaster Risk Management Council chaired by the Prime Minister and has members designated by government including the heads of lead sector institutions.
For more information on government contact details, please see the following link: 4.1 Ethiopia Government Contact List.
Humanitarian Community
The overall humanitarian coordination is led by the government’s Ethiopia Disaster Risk Management Coordination Commission (EDRMC), which leads federal and regional level Disaster Risk Management Technical Working Groups (DRMTWG), co-chaired with OCHA.
Ethiopia - 1.2 Ethiopia Regulatory Departments and Quality Control
The Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority (EFDA) is a federal regulatory body established under Proclamation No. 1263/2021 and its mandate defined under regulation No. 531/2023. EFDA was established to safeguard the public’s health by ensuring the safety and quality of food, the safety, quality, and efficacy of medicines, the safety, quality, and functionality of medical devices, as well as the safety of cosmetics and other health products. It also regulates alcohol and tobacco products to reduce their consumption and protect the public from devastating consequences of death, disability, and disease.
Before the adoption of regulation No. 531/2023 and proclamation No. 1112/2019, the Authority had been regulating products, professionals, premises, and practices (4Ps). However, after the adoption of the regulation and proclamation, its mandate limited to regulation of regulated products such as food, medicine, medical devices etc. and establishment associated with these products. Accordingly, among others, it regulates the production, importation, exportation, and distribution of regulated products. It registers and issues market authorizations and certificates of competency, authorizes clinical trials, monitors safety of medicine and medical devices etc. and takes administrative measures against non-compliance. Currently the Authority has seven branches across the country and works with regional and city administration regulators.
For more information on regulatory departments and quality control laboratories’ contact details, please see the following links: 4.1 Ethiopia Government Contact List and 4.3 Ethiopia Laboratory and Quality Testing Company Contact List.
Ethiopia - 1.3 Ethiopia Customs Information
Duties and Tax Exemption
National Customs Legislation and Regime
Customs regulation clearly stipulates that a government agency must budget for and pay tax on humanitarian cargo except the Disaster Risk Management and Food Security Sector (DRMFSS) which has a duty-free status and Ethiopia Disaster Risk Management Commission (EDRMC), Ministry of Education (MoE). All humanitarian cargo irrespective of its urgency must be processed by the respective government agency approaching the humanitarian agencies for the assistance program. A project document must also be deposited with the customs Authority to verify to which category each import/consignment belongs. This does not include items that WFP imports into the country for its own use, in which case the Ministry of Foreign Affair clears the items on the basis of duty-free status.
For contact information regarding government custom authorities, please follow the link below: 4.1 Ethiopian Government Contact List.
Emergency Response
Agreements / Conventions Description |
Ratified by Country? |
---|---|
WCO (World Customs Organization) member |
Yes, 06/08/1973 |
Annex J-5 Revised Kyoto Convention |
Yes |
OCHA Model Agreement |
N/A |
Tampere Convention (on the Provision of Telecommunication Resources for Disaster Mitigation and Relief Operations) |
No |
Regional Agreements (on emergency/disaster response, but also customs unions, regional integration) |
N/A |
Exemption Regular Regime (Non-Emergency Response)
National Customs Legislation and Regime |
Capital goods importation request of duty free, by governmental agencies and non-governmental aid organizations shall be accelerated, upon which the following documents are submitted to the ministerial organization. A. Documents to be submitted by non-governmental aid organizations: 1. Project agreement document with the appropriate government organization, being approved by the federal Government or regional administrative organization. 2. Valid registration certificate, of the organization registered either from the Ministry of Justice or regional Justice Bureau. 3. Document of agreement proposal. 4. Loading document. 5. Packing List and Commercial Invoice. 6. Donation certificate, if the capital goods obtained by donation. 7. List of capital goods and equipment. 8. Certificate of Origin 9 . Supporting letter written by the appropriate federal or regional government organization where the NGO is working. B. Documents to be submitted by governmental agencies or organizations: 1. Application letter of the appropriate agency or organization. 2. Project profile. 3. Packing List and Loading document. 4. List of capital goods and equipment; |
Organizational Requirements to obtain Duty Free Status |
---|
United Nations Agencies |
Memorandum of Understanding must be signed between UN Agencies and Ministry of Foreign Affairs to obtain a duty-free status. A letter of understanding regarding duties and Taxes exemption must be signed between UN agencies and Ethiopian government for each project. Pre-conditions required 1. Parties requesting for duty-free importation, shall attach the following documents together with their application:
Without Prejudice to submit the list of Information Mentioned under Number 1-4 1. Investors shall submit endorsement of loading document, where import is made by letter of credit. 2. Investors shall submit foreign exchange application for import and purchase order where import is through Cash Against Document (CAD), Telegraph Transfer (TT); Franco-Valuta privilege 1. Where the investor is Ethiopian National Residing abroad and sole owner, then letter written by the Ethiopian Embassy stated that the Investor resident is abroad and thereon Authenticated by the Ministry of foreign affairs. 2. Besides, the condition mentioned under letter A, foreign resident shareholder shall submit, legal document that describes collaboration of the share is made in kind, where the investor is an association. 3. Foreign nationals of Ethiopian Origin Identification card /yellow/ vested by the Authority of security, Immigration and Refugee affairs, where the investor is sole owner. 4. Besides, the condition mentioned under letter A, foreign resident shareholder shall submit, legal document that describes collaboration of the share is made in kind, where the investor is an association. 5. Domestic investors who got a donation for their investment except vehicle. An Investor who bought imported equipment temporarily Duty free shall submit 1. Evidence, that describes the goods were imported duty free formerly 2. Document proving for, an appropriate government organization who have agreed, imported equipment temporarily duty free, 3. Now on wards because of the completion of the project, can be sold. 4. Sales contract agreement Goods bought from Bonded Warehouse Duty Free 1. Loading document, for the goods loaded. 2. Sales contract agreement 3. Whereas, accompany letter written by the sales organization to our institution. The quantity and type of goods, whereas tax is unpaid, sold from bonded ware house, price sold, the name of an investor who bought the goods and loading document for the goods loaded shall be submitted. Project, eligible for import of Radio communication duty free, in accordance with the prior permit of the Authority of security, Immigration and Refugee affairs and Ethiopian Telecommunication Agency. |
Non Governmental Organizations |
NGO's arriving in Ethiopia must sign a draft agreement with Ministry of Justice. This ministry will issue a registration certificate to operate in Ethiopia. NGO’s must explain the reasons to work in Ethiopia and also should provide some documentation on the organization:
This agreement is valid only for three years and must be renewed after such a period. Renewal will be done according to performance evaluation by Charity & Societies Agency on the programs and good working relationship between NGO and the Ethiopian government. If NGO’ s operation on only one project they must get a permit from that specific country, However, if they want to participate in more than two projects their operation agreement must be signed by the Federal Government. |
Exemption Certificate Application Procedure:
For contact information regarding government custom authorities, please follow the link below:
4.1 Ethiopian Government Contact List
Duties and Taxes Exemption Application Procedure |
---|
Generalities |
As required under Customs Regulation, all customs formalities must be handled by a clearing agent. Humanitarian organizations, including NGOs cannot have direct contact with the customs authority without the direct involvement of the clearing agent. To prepare the declaration the forwarding agent needs to get the bill of lading, Gift certificate and other supporting documents (see document requirements below). Then, the forwarding agent prepares the declaration to be sent to the counterpart in order to get the request of exemption that has to be signed by the concerned counterpart office before it is submitted to the clearing agent for further processing of the documentation and finally this document has to be scrutinized by Addis Lagar customs before its validated by the appointed customs officer. This whole process can take around ten to twelve days. |
Process to be followed |
n/a |
Exemption Certificate Document Requirements
Duties and Taxes Exemption Certificate Document Requirements (by commodity)
|
Food |
NFI (Shelter, WASH, Education) |
Medicines |
Vehicle & Spare Parts |
Staff & Office Supplies |
Telecoms Equipment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Invoice |
Yes Original |
Yes Original |
Yes Original |
Yes Original |
Yes Original |
Yes Original |
AWB/BL/Other Transport Documents |
Yes Original |
Yes Original |
Yes Original |
Yes Original |
Yes Original |
Yes Original |
Donation/Non-Commercial Certificates |
Yes Original |
Yes Original |
Yes Original |
Yes Original |
Yes Original |
Yes Original |
Packing Lists |
Yes Original |
Yes Original |
Yes Original |
Yes Original |
Yes Original |
Yes Original |
Other Documents |
Yes Original |
Yes Original |
Yes Original |
Yes Original |
Yes Original |
Yes Original |
Customs Clearance
General Information
Customs Information |
|
---|---|
Document Requirements |
NGOs 1. Project agreement document with the appropriate government organization, being approved by the federal Government or regional administrative organization; 2. Valid registration certificate, of the organization registered either from the Ministry of Justice or regional Justice Bureau; 3. Document of agreement proposal; 4. Loading document; 5. Packing List; 6. Donation certificate, if the capital goods obtained by donation; 7. List of capital goods and equipment; 8. Supporting letter written by the appropriate federal or regional government organization where the NGO is working UN Agencies Agency's request for duty free importation shall be accompanied by the following documents:
In case of NFI's, the following documents must accompany the request letter:
The documents are submitted to a clearing agent, which should be sent to the respective counterpart office for the budget / duty-free letter based on the project type. The letter and the cargo documents shall be submitted to Customs for the final clearance permit. |
Embargoes |
None |
Prohibited Items |
Weapons, Drugs and Some Telecommunication equipment |
General Restrictions |
|
Customs Clearance Document Requirements
Customs Clearance Document Requirements (by commodity) |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Food |
NFI (Shelter, WASH, Education) |
Medicines |
Vehicles & Spare Parts |
Staff & Office Supplies |
Telecoms Equipment |
D&T Exemption Certificate |
Yes, Original |
Yes Original |
Yes Original |
Yes Original |
Yes Original |
Yes Original |
Invoice |
Yes, Original |
Yes Original |
Yes Original |
Yes Original |
Yes Original |
Yes Original |
AWB/BL/Other Transport Documents |
Yes, Original |
Yes Original |
Yes Original |
Yes Original |
Yes Original |
Yes Original |
Donation/Non-Commercial Certificates |
Yes, Original |
Yes Original |
Yes Original |
Yes Original |
Yes Original |
Yes Original |
Packing Lists |
Yes, Original |
Yes Original |
Yes Original |
Yes Original |
Yes Original |
Yes Original |
Phytosanitary Certificate |
Yes, Original |
Yes Original |
Yes Original |
Yes Original |
Yes Original |
Yes Original |
Other Documents |
Yes, Original |
Yes Original |
Yes Original |
Yes Original |
Yes Original |
Yes Original |
Transit Regime
Transit Regime |
---|
RESPONSIBILITY OF AVAILING TRANSIT GOODS TO CUSTOMSThe declarant shall commits himself upon requesting for transit operation to the responsibility of paying duty of transit goods, follow the prescribed custom routes for transit together with finally availing the transit the transited goods to customs office of destination and notify same to the office of departure. The carrier as well has to commit itself to customs for transiting the shipment to customs Transit and clearance control offices within a limited time and through prescribed routes by the freight declaration format annexes 7.21 of the transit manual. |
Import clearance for 3-AXLE CARGO SEMI-TRAILER
1. FUNDAMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
Trailer type : Three axle Cargo Semi-Trailer
Gross trailer weight : 30 ton
Kerb weight : Shall be indicated
King pin : Heavy duty, Dia. 31/2”
2. BODY
Body length : 12000mm
Body width : 2500mm
Side & rear boards height : 800mm
Front board height : 1600mm
Ground clearance : 300mm(fully loaded)
Overall length : 17,000mm(Tractor & Trailer)
Trailer’s fuel tank : ≥ 400 Liters
Water tank : 80liters, aluminum, with sufficient support
Mechanical operated roller which for winding cables at convenient place: 12 required
Twist lock for container : 8 required
Tool box: 60 x 60 x50cm : 2mm thickness required.
3.MATERIAL
Construction : All steel
Loading surface : Checkered steel
Material thickness : 5mm
Roping hooks & winches : Sufficient number shall be provided along the two sides, front & rear board
4. CHASSIS
4.1 Frame
Construction : Shall adequately support the gross weight of the trailer
Cross members : Sufficient number shall be provided to withstand rigorous on- and-off the road conditions.
Chassis flange : Must be one piece
4.2 Bumper
Manufacturer's current standard heavy duty rear bumper shall be installed.
4.3. Mud Guard
Rear with flap : required
Front : required