Ethiopia: what does Turkey export there?

In 2017, Turkey's exports to this market were valued at $338 million. The ten largest product groups made up 50.1% of that total, led by Raw Iron Bars; Iron Structures; Toilet Paper.

Ethiopia: who are its main trading partners?

The three largest import partners are China, France, India. The three largest export partners are China, Switzerland, United States.

Ethiopia: what does the country import?

The three largest import products are Planes; Gas Turbines; Packaged Medicaments. The three largest export products are Coffee; Oily Seeds; Gold.

Ethiopia: how big is the economy?

Population 105 million, GDP $81 billion, and $768 per person. The Human Development Index is 0.483.

Ethiopia: does it run a trade surplus or a deficit?

The trade balance is -$0.9B in net imports.

Ethiopia: how do goods from Turkey reach it?

Ethiopia is landlocked. Goods from Turkey usually arrive through Djibouti, Berbera and continue by road or rail under transit procedures.

Ethiopia: what does a shipment from Turkey need beyond the standard documents?

Imports are financed through Ethiopian banks, usually by letter of credit or cash against documents; banks verify prices against customs reference prices for selected items.

Ethiopia: do Turkish goods get a preferential duty rate?

Not under a bilateral agreement: Turkey's free trade agreements in force in Africa cover Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt. Standard duties generally apply, and AfCFTA preferences cover goods of African origin, not Turkish goods.

Country Profiles

Ethiopia

Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia is located in the North East Africa and it is bordered by Eritrea, Djibouti, Somaila, Sudan, South Sudan and Kenya. Ethiopia’s population is 105 million and its GDP is $81 Billion. Ethiopia is the headquarter of the African Union, the Pan African Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, the African Standby Force, and many of the global NGOs focused on Africa.

Ethiopia has an ancient history and the current constitution was established in 1995. The official language of Ethiopia is Amharic. Its capital city is Addis Ababa and its population is around 3.5 million. Eritrea seperated from Ethiopia in 1993 and declared its own independence.

Ethiopia’s main trade partner is China both in imports and exports. 33% of goods is imported from China and 16% of goods is exported there. The country’s economy heavily depends on agricultural products and precious metals. More than 60% of exports is agricultural products such as coffee and oily seeds. 11% of its exports is gold. Turkey is an important import partner with 4.2% share in 2017.

Turkey and Ethiopia has close economic relations. Most of Turkish foreign direct investment is in textiles sector and there are further efforts to increase Turkish investment in Ethiopia. Turkish companies invested more than $2.5 Billion in the country. The construction sector and construction products play an important role in Turkish exports. Raw iron bars had 24% share in total exports in 2017.

Below, you can see the fact sheet, macroeconomic outlook and trade relations of Ethiopia with Turkey.

Four charts for Ethiopia. Population rises from about 67 million in 2000 to 105 million in 2017. GDP grows from about US$8 billion to US$81 billion. Total imports run far above exports, peaking near US$18 billion in 2016 before falling sharply; exports stay under US$5 billion. Imports from Turkey rise to about US$580 million in 2016 while exports to Turkey stay under US$100 million.

Turkey's exports to Ethiopia in 2008 and 2017: a pie chart splitting the ten largest product groups from all others, the total value of exports, and a table naming those ten products with each one's share. The same figures are listed as a table further down this page.

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Country at a glance

Capital city: Addis Ababa
Official language: Amharic
Population: 105 million
GDP: $81 billion
GDP per capita: $768
Human Development Index: 0.483

Top 3 import partners: China, France, India
Top 3 export partners: China, Switzerland, United States
Top 3 import products: Planes, Gas Turbines, Packaged Medicaments
Top 3 export products: Coffee, Oily Seeds, Gold
Trade balance: -$0.9B in net imports

Source: Istanbul Africa Trade Company, Africa Economic Report (2019). Figures as published, reflecting data to 2017.

Ethiopia: practical trade guide

What a shipment between Turkey and this market needs, how the goods get there, and what to settle before you sign.

Gateway ports (landlocked): Djibouti, Berbera
Currency: Ethiopian birr (ETB)
Trade blocs: AfCFTA, COMESA
Trade agreement with Turkey: None in force: standard duties generally apply

Specific to Ethiopia

Imports are financed through Ethiopian banks, usually by letter of credit or cash against documents; banks verify prices against customs reference prices for selected items.

The birr moved to a market-determined rate in July 2024; confirm with the buyer how and when the bank will release foreign currency.

Standard documents

Commercial invoice and packing list
Bill of lading or air waybill
Certificate of origin issued by a Turkish chamber of commerce
Insurance certificate when the Incoterm includes insurance (CIF, CIP)

Before you sign

Check the counterparty: registration, activity and references
Match the payment structure to the risk: advance or partial payment, documentary collection or a letter of credit
Confirm whether your product needs a certificate or registration in this market before production starts

Reviewed October 2026. Requirements change: confirm the current rules for your product with your forwarder, the buyer's customs broker or us before shipping.

Turkey's exports to this market

Source: Istanbul Africa Trade Company, Africa Economic Report. Figures as published.

2008

$199 million

Top 10 products account for 67.4% of the total.

2008
Product	Share of total
Raw Iron Bars	39%
Textile Fiber Machinery	8.1%
Ferroalloys	3.3%
Electrical Transformers	3%
Other Small Iron Pipes	2.9%
Plastic Pipes	2.8%
Other Steel Bars	2.8%
Copper Wire	2.1%
Insulated Wire	1.9%
Hot-Rolled Iron	1.6%

2017

$338 million

Top 10 products account for 50.1% of the total.

2017
Product	Share of total
Raw Iron Bars	24%
Iron Structures	5.5%
Toilet Paper	4.8%
Plastic Pipes	4.3%
Copper Wire	3%
Hot-Rolled Iron	2.3%
Electrical Control Boards	1.8%
Electrical Transformers	1.5%
Seed Oils	1.5%
Packaged Medicaments	1.4%

Frequently asked questions

Ethiopia: what does Turkey export there?: In 2017, Turkey's exports to this market were valued at $338 million. The ten largest product groups made up 50.1% of that total, led by Raw Iron Bars; Iron Structures; Toilet Paper.
Ethiopia: who are its main trading partners?: The three largest import partners are China, France, India. The three largest export partners are China, Switzerland, United States.
Ethiopia: what does the country import?: The three largest import products are Planes; Gas Turbines; Packaged Medicaments. The three largest export products are Coffee; Oily Seeds; Gold.
Ethiopia: how big is the economy?: Population 105 million, GDP $81 billion, and $768 per person. The Human Development Index is 0.483.
Ethiopia: does it run a trade surplus or a deficit?: The trade balance is -$0.9B in net imports.
Ethiopia: how do goods from Turkey reach it?: Ethiopia is landlocked. Goods from Turkey usually arrive through Djibouti, Berbera and continue by road or rail under transit procedures.
Ethiopia: what does a shipment from Turkey need beyond the standard documents?: Imports are financed through Ethiopian banks, usually by letter of credit or cash against documents; banks verify prices against customs reference prices for selected items.
Ethiopia: do Turkish goods get a preferential duty rate?: Not under a bilateral agreement: Turkey's free trade agreements in force in Africa cover Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt. Standard duties generally apply, and AfCFTA preferences cover goods of African origin, not Turkish goods.

Other country profiles

Reviewed by Burak Unal, Director of African Markets