Contractors wishing to work in Ethiopia must first register with Ministry of Trade in accordance with the commercial code of Ethiopia and related directives of the Ministry. Here is how to register as a contractor in Ethiopia.
To this effect, each applicant shall submit a photocopy of such registration certificate to this Ministry before being licensed as a construction contractor.
Application for registration as a contractor in accordance with these Directives may be submitted in one of the following categories;
a “GC” General Contractors … Contractors who are qualified to undertake a variety of construction works such as building, roads railways bridges, airports, and dams. Etc.
b “BC” Building contractors … Contractors who are qualified to undertake building construction and related works.
c “RC” Road Contractors … Contractors who are qualified to undertake construction of roads and other related works.
d “SC” Specialized Contractors … These are contractors who are qualified to undertake construction activities in specialized fields;
Application for registration as a Special contractor in accordance with these Directives may be submitted in one of the following categories;
a Electro – Mechanical (SC – EM)
Contractors who are qualified to undertake electro-mechanical installation works such as electrical installation, lift and machine erection, boiler and pump installation, ventilation, air conditioning and related works.
b Painting and Decorations (SC – PD)
Contractors who are qualified to undertake specialized works such as painting, wall papering, curtain works, ceiling and wall decorations, neon and other forms of advertising etc.
c Sanitary Installation (SC – SI)
Contractors who are qualified to undertake sanitary installation works such as interior Plumbing, installation of water tanks, installation of water pumps, fixing of sanitary wares and other related activities.
d Wood and Metal Works (SC – WM)
Contractors who are qualified to undertake wood and metal works such as Fabrication and Installation of wooden doors, windows, built-in cupboards, shelves wooden partition walls, glassing works, etc and Fabrication and installation of metal doors, windows, steel trusses, form works, water, tanks etc..
e Landscaping (SC – LS)
Contractors who are qualified to undertake landscaping and other related activities.
Grades
Contractors of categories “GC”, “BC” and “RC” may register in one of the following grades based on the construction costs of project.
| Categories | Grade | Construction Cost (Birr) | ||
| BC | RC | GC | ||
| (GC,BC,RC) | 1 | Above 210,000,000 | Above 300,000,000 | Above 350,000,000 |
| (GC,BC,RC) | 2 | Up to 210,000,000 | Up to 300,000,000 | Up to 350,000,000 |
| (GC,BC,RC) | 3 | Up to 160,000,000 | Up to 225,000,000 | Up to 270,000,000 |
| (GC,BC,RC) | 4 | Up to 110,000,000 | Up to 154,000,000 | Up to 185,000,000 |
| (GC,BC,RC) | 5 | Up to 54,000,000 | Up to 76,000,000 | Up to 100,000,000 |
| (GC,BC,RC) | 6 | Up to 27,000,000 | Up to 38,000,000 | Up to 45,000,000 |
| (GC,BC,RC) | 7 | Up to 11,000,000 | Up to 15,000,000 | Up to 18,000,000 |
| (GC,BC,RC) | 8 | Up to 5,400,000 | Up to 7,500,000 | Up to 9,000,000 |
| (GC,BC,RC) | 9 | Up to 3,000,000 | Up to 4,200,000 | Up to 5,000,000 |
| (GC,BC,RC) | 10 | Up to 1,000,000 | Up to
1, 500,000 |
Up to 1,800,000 |
General Contractor A (GC) – Contractors who are qualified to under take any construction works,
General Contractor B (BRC) – Contractors who are qualified to under take all Building and Road construction works,
General Contractor C (RWC) – Contractors who are qualified to under take a construction of only Roads and Water Sector works,
General Contractor D (BWC) – Contractors who are qualified to under take a construction of only Building and Water Sector works, and
Water works contractor (WWC) who are qualified to under take water work constructions.
For more information on how to register as a contractor in Ethiopia please read here.
Also read
Education requirements for construction professionals in Ethiopia
Ethiopian contractors registration & deregistration process