In a landmark move to combat gender disparity, Ethiopian logistics regulators and industry leaders have unveiled a transformative initiative to train an additional 100 female professionals. The effort builds on the success of an earlier pioneering program that has already advanced the careers of nearly one hundred women.
The initiative stems from an unprecedented collaboration between the Ethiopian Maritime Authority, the Ministry of Transport, and the Ethiopian Freight Forwarders and Shipping Agents Association (EFFSAA). Through this partnership, 97 female university graduates completed the globally recognized FIATA (International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations) diploma program.
At a graduation ceremony on Tuesday, Transport and Logistics Minister Alemu Sime praised the program’s execution, emphasizing the vital role of coordinated efforts in building sector-wide capacity.
EFFSAA President Dawit Woubishet underscored the urgent need for reform, revealing that women occupy fewer than 8% of leadership positions across Ethiopia’s logistics industry. This figure mirrors a broader global pattern—while women make up about 40% of the logistics workforce worldwide, they hold only 8–12% of senior positions, often confined to lower-skilled roles.
“Building on the success of the 97 graduates, we have now formalized an agreement with the regulatory authority, the EMA, to train additional women through this same initiative,” stated Dawit, a leading expert in Ethiopian logistics.
“This initiative to cultivate 100 new female leaders will be instrumental in bridging this profound gap,” he told Capital.
The “Young Ethiopian Women Logistics Programme,” supported by the World Bank and the Trade Logistics Project Office of Ethiopian Maritime Affairs, aims to equip women from diverse academic backgrounds with internationally accredited logistics expertise.
As the only FIATA-certified body in Ethiopia, EFFSAA has trained 450 students this year alone. Dawit noted that this targeted initiative will elevate the association’s reputation while expanding the pool of skilled professionals ready to serve both domestic and international markets.
In a complementary effort, EFFSAA has launched the FIATA Higher Advanced Diploma in Supply Chain Management—the first of its kind in Africa—for a select group of logistics experts. The association is also preparing to host the prestigious FIATA World Congress in 2027, a premier global logistics gathering.
“This dedicated women’s training program is unmatched on the continent and represents a significant milestone for FIATA as a global institution,” Dawit affirmed.
The initiative marks a strategic step toward empowering women and strengthening Ethiopia’s logistics sector through inclusive leadership and world-class professional development.
