In the bustling city of Addis Ababa, Mesfin Tasew, the visionary Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, shared the tale of their ambitious venture into the realm of e-commerce.
Over a span of two and a half years, they erected a colossal e-commerce logistics hub, a beacon of change for Ethiopia and Africa as a whole.
Mesfin Tasew explained the rationale behind this endeavor, highlighting the imperative for Africa to embrace e-commerce.
While the western world seamlessly integrates e-commerce into daily life, Africa faces the challenge of laying the groundwork – a challenge Ethiopian Airlines eagerly accepts.
The new facility, with a capacity to handle 150,000 tonnes of goods annually, signifies a pioneering step into the future. Ethiopian Airlines, traditionally in the air cargo business, recognized the inevitability of e-commerce as a way of life and trade in Africa. The facility is a strategic move, not just for Ethiopia but also for the African continent.
Mesfin Tasew emphasized the significance of addressing key components for e-commerce growth: establishing a payment platform, electronic marketplace, and reliable delivery services. The focus currently lies on the logistics aspect, acknowledging that the journey is just beginning.
As the facility takes shape, partnerships with global giants like Ali Baba come into play. The collaboration extends beyond construction, with plans to cooperate on operations.
Ethiopian Airlines, in alliance with Chinese e-commerce companies, engages in transporting goods from China to various parts of the world, reshaping the landscape of global trade.
The story unfolds with a hint of expansion beyond Addis Ababa.
Mesfin Tasew envisions a future where similar facilities cater to markets like Nigeria, a testament to the enduring commitment to transformative growth.
Yet, the narrative takes a turn as the discussion shifts to the impact of Naira devaluation on Ethiopian Airlines’ operations in Nigeria.
