Ethiopian Livestock Traders Association (ELTA) was established initially as "Hibret Livestock Traders Professional Association" on 23rd August 2004 on the basis of the article 404 of civil code of 1952 (E.C), and Association registration Article 321/1952 (E.C).  The founding members at that time were seven. The Association was renamed as " Ethiopian Livestock Traders Professional Association" in January 2006, and had 42 members out of which 12 are engaged in Livestock export and 30 in domestic Businesses related to livestock.  Lastly, The Association was renamed as Ethiopian Livestock Traders Association (ELTA) in December 2009 and has 88 members.

Its vision is to create the number one livestock Association in Ethiopia with an international standard of excellence able to compete and succeed in the global livestock industry.

Its mission is to promote and develop livestock traders in Ethiopia by establishing value chain marketing system for livestock capable of promoting the economic interest of livestock farmers/pastoralists, traders and consumers, improving market information access and market infrastructure by mobilizing and coordinating all stakeholders and partners, to ensure members prosperity and help the country gain value added benefit out of the sector.

The Association's Organization structure
ELTA is the association of domestic and export livestock traders. It is established in response to the members need to promote and develop the livestock marketing in light of the government's commitment to strengthen the private sector. The association has a five-numbered Board members elected by general assembly. The Board operates as an agency of the association responsible to oversee the over all operations. Its annual work plan and budgets are prepared by the board and approved, monitored and evaluated by the general assembly.

Staff
Its recruited staff executes the association's day-to-day operations with the overall responsibility entrusted in to the association manager.