Addis Chamber celebrates momentous 75-year journey

Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations (Addis Chamber) celebrates its 75th anniversary.
The celebrations began from Tuesday June 28 and stretched to June 30; and featured major policy panels and symposiums on various trade and investment issues. The three-day panel discussion and symposium at Skylight Hotel and Hilton Hotel focused on Ethiopia’s private sector development and environmental policy, illegal trade and competitiveness challenges, enactment of laws and regulations on private sector development, women’s business leadership, social enterprise opportunities and challenges, and business organizations and institutions. Prominent scholars, policy makers and private actors also presented on these panels.
“The 75th anniversary of the Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce and Sectorial Associations (AACCSA) is a sign of hope for the future,” said President of the Chamber of Commerce, Mesenbet Shenkute.
The Chamber also released its new book, which narrates its 75th year’s anniversary journey alongside a photo exhibition to commemorate the council’s 75 years of travel. The celebration also focused on educating the next generation on the opportunities and challenges of the past, as well as educating others on the institutional secrets that the institution has maintained in the face of adversity.
Mesenbet said the chamber will continue to focus on providing timely policy recommendations and being part of the solution to challenges, as well as strengthen its role as a bridge between the public and the private sector in line with its mandate to continue the growth of the private sector and modernize its business system.
The secretary of the council, Shibeshi Bete-Mariam pointed out that the new chamber, established in 1939, has carried out various activities over the past 75 years.
“The chamber has shown that it is a transitional institution that has not been affected by influences,” stressed Shibeshi.
Established in 1947, AACCSA is a voluntary, non-governmental, business membership organization with more than 15,000 member companies. The chamber serves as a credible voice of business and advocates for the creation of a conducive business environment. It also promotes trade and industry, disseminating business information, consulting government and members on economic development and business issues, establishing friendly relationship with similar chambers in other countries, and exchanging information as well as engaging in arbitration in times of disputes among businesses.