Hailemariam Desalegn is an Ethiopian politician who held the positions of Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Social Affairs and Prime Minister of Ethiopia between 2012 and 2018. As well as being a facilitator for peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo, he has been Chairman of the Board of TradeMark Africa since September 2024. His role is to support African exports through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Since September 2024, Ethiopian Hailemariam Desalegn has served as Chairman of the Board of TradeMark Africa, an aid-for-trade organisation established in 2010 with a mission to develop intra-African trade and increase Africa’s share of global trade, while helping to make trade more pro-poor and environmentally sustainable. Drawing on his experience, Hailemariam Desalegn will guide TradeMark Africa through its 2023-2030 strategy, which focuses on further reducing the time and cost of transporting goods across borders and improving market access for small and medium-sized enterprises.
« I joined TradeMark Africa because trade is the most important tool for integrating our continent. Our leaders and the African Union took the historic decision to create the African Continental Free Trade Area. 49 countries have ratified this agreement, which shows its importance ».
Hailemariam Desalegn Boshe, Chairman, TradeMark Africa, Ethiopia
In 2013, at the age of 47, Hailemariam Desalegn was elected Chairman-in-Office of the African Union. His experience of trade agreements and promoting economic integration during his term of office (2013 to 2014) also attracted the interest of TradeMark Africa, which is stepping up its efforts to support African governments in defining and negotiating their trade policy.
Five years ago, Africa made history when AfCFTA was launched. It carried the hope of 1.2 billion people coming together in a single market operating a 3,000 billion economy and a vision of Africa trading with itself on its own terms.
Hailemariam Desalegn Boshe, Chairman, TradeMark Africa, Ethiopia
Hailemariam Desalegn holds two master’s degrees, including one in organisational leadership, and has held the positions of Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Social Affairs and Prime Minister of Ethiopia, a position he resigned after six years in power (2012-2018). His tenure was marked by a visionary approach to trade and diplomatic engagements, which enabled Ethiopia to achieve sustained double-digit economic growth.
Trade within AfCFTA is beginning to explore new opportunities, but the challenges remain. The first signs of trade growth are encouraging, with intra-African trade increasing by 27% between 2017 and 2023, from 140 billion dollars to 190 billion dollars.
Hailemariam Desalegn Boshe, Chairman, TradeMark Africa, Ethiopia
At 59, Hailemariam Desalegn is recognised as a fervent African political player. On 8 February 2025, drawing on his experience as an intermediary in crisis resolution, he was appointed ‘facilitator for peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo’ during the extraordinary summit of heads of state of the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). He currently sits on the boards of several international organisations.
