About Us

Who we are

Local, Non-Governmental, Non-Partisan and Non Profit

Advocacy for Consumers and Trade – Ethiopia (ACT Ethiopia) is a local, non-governmental, non-partisan and nonprofit organization established in June 2021 to advocate for the protection of consumers and prevalence of fair trade practices in Ethiopia. It works towards the attainment of Safe, Smart and Sustainable consumption and trade.

The organization is led by a board whose members are selected from the Ministry of Trade & Industry, higher academic institutions, private sector, media and from consumers in the country. ACT Ethiopia is currently stationed in Addis Ababa but since the scope of its operations have a nation-wide effect, it will open other branches in regional cities in the future.

ACT ETHIOPIA is legally registered and certified by the Ethiopian government Agency for Civil Society Organizations in accordance with the Civil Society Org. Proclamation No. 1113/2019.

Mission

  • Educate and Empower Consumers: Elevate consumer awareness and understanding to make informed choices in the marketplace.

  • Promote Safe, Smart, and Sustainable Consumption: Advocate for practices that ensure consumer goods and services in Ethiopia meet high standards of safety, innovation, and environmental sustainability.

  • Protect Consumer Rights and Interests: Defend consumers against unfair practices, ensuring their rights and interests are recognized and respected.

  • Champion Fair and Competitive Trade Practices: Encourage an equitable trading environment that fosters competition, innovation, and fairness for all stakeholders.

Vision

 Our vision is a thriving Ethiopia where sustainable consumption and fair trade are pillars of society, underpinned by a robust consumer organization recognized for empowering individuals and shaping policies. We aspire to transform Ethiopia into a model of consumer rights protection, environmental stewardship, and equitable trade practices, fostering an ecosystem where consumers are informed, businesses are ethical, and the economy flourishes sustainably.

Values

  • Integrity and Transparency: Commitment to the highest ethical standards, ensuring our actions and decisions are open, honest, and accountable to the communities we serve.

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    Empowerment: Empowering consumers with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to make informed decisions and advocate for their rights.

  • Sustainability: Championing practices that ensure the well-being of future generations through responsible consumption and environmental stewardship.

  • Fairness and Equity: Advocating for fair trade and equitable practices that respect the dignity and rights of all individuals, ensuring no one is disadvantaged in the marketplace.

  • Collaboration: Fostering strong partnerships with government, industry, and community stakeholders to achieve common goals and amplify our impact.

  • Innovation: Embracing innovation to address challenges in consumer protection, ensuring our strategies and solutions are effective and forward-thinking.

  • Resilience: Building the resilience of consumers and communities to navigate and thrive in an ever-changing economic landscape.

Our Team

BIRUH GEMEDA

Board chairman

Biruh is lawyer with more than a decade long experience practicing and studying trade law and policy issues with a focus on international trade, trade competition, and consumers protection. He currently works as a Private Sector Development Advisor and is passionate about digital trade, regional integration through trade and sustainable trade..

AWEKE GIZAW

Deputy Chairman

Aweke is a senior training expert with over 12 years of professional experience in Ethiopia’s trade sector. Working under the FDRE Trade Competition and Consumers Protection Authority, he has garnered a vast experience in preparing and delivering trainings on trade competition and consumer protection issues for business communities, consumers, governmental and non-governmental bodies.

ASTER SEIFU

Director

Aster has close to 40 years of professional experience in various fields including on trade, jobs creation and supporting MSMEs. She has worked as a leader of a department in public institutions, school teacher, marketing expert and senior textile and garment expert.

NOLAWIT SHIMELIS

Board Member

Nolawit is a Horticulturist (Agronomist) with over 15 years of experience working with farmers in Ethiopia and few other African countries promoting the use of adaptable, disease resistant and highly productive seeds that are suitable for the country’s conditions.

REDWAN MOHAMMED

FINANCE MANAGER

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SENAIT HAILE

Board member

Senait is a Journalist, Communications Specialist, Producer, Marketing manager and a Teacher with a dynamic career that span for more than 13 years. She has worked as the Director of Marketing & Brand Promotion and Program Producer at the Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (EBC), a national television and radio station.

GIRMA ALEMAR

Board Secretary

Girma is currently the Director General of the Minister’s Office at the Ministry of Industry. Prior to that, he was the Deputy Director of the Federal Trade Competition and Consumers Protection Authority. Overall, he has an extensive experience in consumer protection, trade promotion and regulation spanning for more than two decades.

MELAKU GIRMA

Board Member

Melaku has more than sixteen years of professional experiences in software engineering and testing using state-of-the-art programming languages, Computer Network Installation, ICT Consultancy, and teaching in Universities. He has been lecturing at Addis Ababa University since 2010 and has published research works on various topics.