ESL Secures ISO 9001:2015 Certification Amid Strong Revenue Growth

Ethiopian Shipping and Logistics posted a 59% revenue surge to ETB 74.4 billion during the 2025/26 first half, signaling an aggressive scaling of the nation's trade infrastructure. This performance coincides with ESL securing ISO 9001:2015 certification, a critical milestone in aligning maritime and port operations with global quality standards. Amidst broader economic liberalization, the state owned enterprise is effectively centralizing its strategic role within the Horn of Africa's increasingly competitive and modernized logistics corridor.

CEO Abdulber Shemsu attributed this sharp fiscal growth to digitized logistics management and modernized freight forwarding protocols designed to mitigate regional supply chain bottlenecks. By fulfilling international quality benchmarks, ESL intends to reduce operational friction and enhance transaction transparency across its port terminal network. This strategic response addresses the surging demand for efficient trade facilitation, allowing the enterprise to outpace regional logistics peers while maintaining a 59% year-on-year increase in total liquidity and domestic service delivery.

ESL’s newly acquired international accreditation will catalyze deeper integration with global shipping alliances as Ethiopia pursues World Trade Organization accession. The enterprise’s commitment to technology driven service delivery remains a critical bet for securing Ethiopia’s status as a primary intercontinental logistics hub under the African Continental Free Trade Area. Continued investment in maritime infrastructure will likely stabilize the trade deficit, reinforcing the nation’s long-term fiscal resilience and industrial competitiveness across the evolving global supply chain.