When Ethiopian flowers end up in European markets and Ethiopian garments find their way to European consumers, they are far more than just exports. They represent jobs, incomes and opportunities for Ethiopian families. For 25 years the EU’s Everything But Arms (EBA) scheme has been instrumental in enabling socio economic development by making trade fairer and opening the doors of the EU market to Ethiopian exports.
EBA gives 44 countries worldwide duty free and quota free access to the EU market for all products (except for weapons and ammunition). It is the most generous trade preference scheme and a very tangible expression of EU’s commitment to development through trade.
Africa is at the core of this partnership. The EU is Africa’s largest export market. In 2025 some 31% of Africa’s goods exports worth €182bn had the EU as their destination. 33 African countries are currently beneficiaries of the EBA scheme, which saved African exporters €213m in import duties in 2024 alone. EBA supports these African nations by creating economic growth.
Beyond the numbers, EBA offers stability and predictability. It gives businesses and investors the confidence to plan, to invest and to expand production. This is especially true in Ethiopia where the EU has maintained its preferential trade regime without suspension, offering a predictable environment for long-term supply chains. The guaranteed, tariff-free pathway to Europe makes Ethiopia an attractive destination for foreign manufacturers looking to set up production hubs in East Africa.
Ethiopia is one of Africa’s top EBA beneficiaries. EU imports from Ethiopia were almost €1.3bn in 2025, up from €800m in 2024 and €700m in 2023. The EU remains Ethiopia’s largest market for exports, with 22% of total exports. Ethiopia’s exports using EBA preferences amounted to €371m in 2025. Unlike many trade agreements that remain under-used due to complex regulatory hurdles, Ethiopia maintains an incredibly efficient preference utilisation rate of 97% under the EBA. This means almost all eligible Ethiopian exports take advantage of the zero-tariff benefits
This growth is creating opportunities for women. The Ethiopian government puts the number of people employed in garment production for the EU at around 40,000 in 2026 and over 80% of those are women. EBA’s flexible rules of origin for textiles enable Ethiopian manufacturers to compete in the European market and thus are contributing to industrial development and the creation of formal employment. No other international trade scheme is as generous and all-encompassing as the EBA.
Our partnership goes well beyond access to the EU market. We provide financial and technical assistance, including via Global Gateway, to support infrastructure, manufacturing, and creating the conditions that businesses need to grow. Furthermore, the EU’s support for Ethiopia’s WTO and the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) take center stage in the EU’s partnership with Ethiopia.
Working hand in hand with Ethiopia and the African Union we share the aspiration of building stronger African industries, broadening regional trade and creating more opportunities for young people and women.
As we mark 25 years of Everything But Arms on 4th November, our message is straightforward: the EU is a reliable long-term partner, and we would like to see more Ethiopian and African businesses making use of the opportunities our market presents.
Just to recall, success in trade isn’t just about the exports you generate. It’s about the jobs, the livelihoods and the improved lives it enables.
