A historic building that has long served as the headquarters for the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations (ECCSA) is at the center of a growing controversy. The building, which has been in use for the past 60 years by the Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations, is now under threat of eviction, potentially disrupting services to nearly 17,000 members, according to sources.
The ECCSA recently issued a directive based on new board decisions and plans for corridor development, ordering the building’s occupants to vacate within a week. The move has sparked debate, with sources claiming that the Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations has a stake in the ownership of the building, complicating the situation further.
The Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce, the first of its kind in Ethiopia, was founded in 1947. It initially represented the business community in the capital and served as an apex organization, coordinating the activities of other city chambers. During the reign of Emperor Haile Selassie, the chamber system flourished, with close ties to the growing business class and the imperial circles, although it remained an advocate for private sector interests.
The landscape shifted dramatically after Emperor Haile Selassie was overthrown by the Derg regime in 1974. In 1978, the chamber system was restructured to align with the regime’s socialist policies, leading to the establishment of the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce. The relationship between the business community and the state became increasingly strained, as businesses were nationalized and private entrepreneurs were marginalized.
Over time, the Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce’s influence waned, overshadowed by the national chamber. Former Prime Minister Meles Zenawi even penned a letter requesting the building be handed over to the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce.
Despite this, a memorandum of understanding was reportedly signed between the board members of the Ethiopian and Addis Ababa Chambers, guaranteeing the right to use the building. Sebseb Abafira, President of ECCSA, acknowledged the controversy, noting that while the chamber includes 21 members from across the regions, it does not provide housing as a gift.
Sebseb also mentioned that the chamber’s new board had offered a concession to allow occupants to remain in the building at a 40% discount on rent for five years. However, the Ethiopian National Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations contested the order, calling it a mistake and demanding its immediate reversal.
The dispute over the building highlights the broader tensions within Ethiopia’s chamber system as it grapples with new leadership and changing priorities. Sebseb Abafira indicated that discussions are ongoing to resolve the matter, emphasizing that the situation will not continue as it has in the past.
