Why GIs Matter for Ethiopia

  • Ethiopia’s agricultural sector contributes 45% of GDP, 80% of employment, and 75% of exports — making GI protection crucial for economic growth. Proper GI laws could help boost exports, protect traditional knowledge, and enhance product reputation globally.

Ethiopian Products That Could Benefit from GI Protection

  • Yirgacheffe, Sidamo & Harar coffee
  • Honey produced in regions like Tigray and Oromia
  • Handcrafted pottery from regions like Konso and Wolayta
  • Teff Grain

Major Initiatives for GI Protection

  • Ethiopia has rich potential for GI protection, especially for products like coffee, honey, and spices. However, the legal framework is still evolving and is expected to be soon finalized. The Ethiopian Intellectual Property Authority (EIPA) has been actively working to establish and strengthen a Geographical Indications (GI) system tailored to Ethiopia’s unique agricultural and cultural heritage. Here are the key efforts underway:
  • Designing a legislative framework for GIs
  • Implementing a pilot GI project focused on Ethiopian coffee
  • Building capacity among public and private stakeholders in collaboration with Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority (ECTA), Jimma University, CIRAD (a French agricultural research organization). Funded by the French Development Agency (AFD) eipa.gov.et facilite-ig.fr.
  • International Collaboration and Conference that brought together global experts and stakeholders to discuss the strategic role of GIs in sustainable development

Expected Duties After GI Law Ratification

  • After the ratification of Ethiopia’s Geographical Indications (GI) law, the Ethiopian Intellectual Property Authority (EIPA) will shift from drafting legislation to implementing and serving its customers. This means establishing registration systems, guiding producers, raising awareness, and enforcing GI rights to protect origin-linked products like coffee, honey, and textiles (eipa.gov.et , afripi.org , it-rc.org).
  • Establish GI Registration and Certification System (Create a formal registry for GI products, develop clear application procedures for producers, cooperatives, and associations, issue certificates of registration to authorized users. )
  • Customer Guidance and Capacity Building (provide training and workshops for farmers, cooperatives, and exporters on how to apply for GI protection, offer technical support for documenting product specifications, production methods, and geographical boundaries, build awareness among customers about the economic and legal benefits of GI protection.)
  • Pilot and Promote GI Products (launch pilot GI registrations (e.g., Sidamo coffee, Teff, honey) to demonstrate the system, promote Ethiopian GI products in domestic and international markets, Collaborate with trade authorities to ensure GI products gain premium branding abroad. )
  • Monitoring and Enforcement (monitor the correct use of GI labels by registered producers, prevent misuse, counterfeiting, or unfair competition in domestic and export markets, establish legal remedies for customers whose GI rights are infringed. )
  • International Cooperation (align Ethiopia’s GI system with WIPO and WTO/TRIPS standards, facilitate international recognition of Ethiopian GIs through treaties and bilateral agreements, support customers in accessing foreign markets with GI-certified products.)