Gulf Ingot Multimodal, one of six newly authorized multimodal transport operators in Ethiopia, is preparing to officially commence services following the recent issuance of its operating license.
The company, notable as one of only two privately owned entities in this space, draws on over 20 years of expertise in logistics and industrial services across East Africa and the United Arab Emirates. The milestone license marks a turning point in Ethiopia’s logistics sector. This development comes shortly after the Ethiopian government broke a 15-year monopoly held by the state-run Ethiopian Shipping and Logistics (ESL), opening the sector to competition for the first time since 2011.
Mitiku Asmare, project manager at Gulf Ingot, emphasized the company’s readiness to begin full-scale operations. “Our long-standing experience in logistics, combined with a comprehensive service model that integrates various modes of transportation, positions us well to serve the market efficiently,” he stated in an interview with Capital.
Gulf Ingot
Gulf Ingot maintains international operations with established branches in Djibouti, Russia, Turkey, and the UAE. Mitiku, who previously headed the Addis Ababa Transport Bureau, stressed the company’s ambition to lead multimodal transport services in the region—particularly along the vital Ethiopia-Djibouti trade route.
To strengthen its service delivery, Gulf Ingot has established operational hubs in both Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa, a key commercial center located near the Djibouti border. The company is also building a five-hectare dry port facility in Dire Dawa to enhance cargo handling capabilities. Its logistics infrastructure includes a fleet of more than 350 trucks and dedicated warehouse space.
Additionally, Gulf Ingot collaborates with nine affiliated companies to ensure seamless service across the supply chain. The firm will function as a non-vessel operating common carrier (NVOCC) for global imports, except for cargo originating from China and the UAE—markets that remain under ESL’s exclusive rights. These two countries currently account for more than 60% of Ethiopia’s imports.
The Ethiopian government’s decision to license new operators represents a significant shift in the logistics landscape, aiming to improve efficiency and introduce competition. The six licensed entities are: Gulf Ingot Multimodal (Private), Panafric Global (Private, affiliated with businessman Belayneh Kinde), Tikur Abay Transport (Owned by the Amhara regional government),Cosmos MTO (Joint venture between Oromia region’s Geda Transport and Tradepath International), Ethio-Djibouti Railway (EDR) (A joint Ethiopia-Djibouti venture), and Ethiopian Railway Corporation (ERC) (State-owned).
By opening the multimodal sector to private participation, Ethiopia is laying the groundwork for a more competitive, efficient, and responsive logistics environment—critical to supporting the nation’s growing trade volume and economic development.