Ethiopian Airlines Group is set to harness its logistics hub to distribute products for AliExpress, the Chinese online retail giant. The official launch of AliExpress in Ethiopia will take place on August 22, 2024, at Skylight Hotel, Airport Road. Senior executives from both companies are expected to attend this significant event.
AliExpress, part of the Alibaba Group, was launched in 2010 and has grown into a key platform for small businesses from China and other regions, such as Singapore, to reach international customers. This partnership with Ethiopian Airlines is expected to provide new opportunities for businesses in Ethiopia to penetrate global markets, offering a competitive edge in e-commerce.
The launch comes at a pivotal moment for Ethiopia’s e-commerce industry. The Ministry of Innovation & Technology (MINT) is finalizing a groundbreaking national strategy aimed at addressing regulatory gaps. The five-year strategy seeks to expand e-commerce accessibility, enhance foreign exchange revenues, and establish a robust regulatory framework. This framework will define the structure of various e-commerce models, including business-to-business (B2B), business-to-consumer (B2C), and consumer-to-consumer (C2C) transactions.
E-commerce, a growing industry driven by Africa’s young population and rising internet access, faces challenges like poor logistics and distrust of online shopping, prompting companies to offer cash-on-delivery options to build consumer trust.
With this strategy, Ethiopia aims to position itself as a key player in the global e-commerce landscape, fostering an environment where technology and regulation work hand in hand to drive economic growth. The collaboration between Ethiopian Airlines and AliExpress is expected to play a significant role in this vision, marking a leap forward for the country’s digital economy.
Alibaba’s presence in Africa may be modest, but the company is actively promoting entrepreneurship by encouraging African entrepreneurs to buy and sell on Alibaba.com. Through initiatives like the Electronic World Trade Platform in Rwanda and Ethiopia, Alibaba aims to simplify cross-border trade and empower small and medium-sized enterprises. Founder Jack Ma’s Africa’s Business Heroes Prize Competition further supports African entrepreneurs with grants and training.
Source: Addis Fortune
Additional source: Nanyang Technological University
