Addis Ababa, September 30, 2026 (ENA) —Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed arrives in Kenya this morning ahead of the groundbreaking ceremony for the multibillion-dollar Lamu Petroleum Refinery. The project, backed by the Dangote Group, represents a major expansion of regional energy infrastructure in East Africa. Situated along the strategic Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) corridor, the facility is designed to process crude oil and supply refined petroleum products, including petrol, diesel, and aviation fuel, across neighboring markets. Once operational, the refinery will strengthen energy security and deepen trade links across East Africa.

Addis Ababa, September 30, 2026 (ENA) — Ethiopia’s comprehensive macroeconomic reform has delivered tangible results in easing the national debt burden and curbing inflation, Finance Minister Ahmed Shide announced. Speaking at the opening of the 2nd Finance Forum 2026 at the Adwa Victory Memorial on Tuesday, Ahmed noted that the success of the overarching economic reform reflects the ambitions of a great nation and its people. During a panel discussion at the forum, the Minister emphasized that Ethiopia is actively executing home-grown economic adjustments. The successful conclusion of debt restructuring agreements will alleviate fiscal pressure and ease foreign exchange constraints in synergy with broader macroeconomic measures, he elaborated. Ahmed further highlighted that boosting domestic revenue collection, bank savings, foreign direct investment, public-private partnerships, diaspora finance, and capital market development remains essential to building long-term financial resilience. Planning and Development Minister Fitsum Assefa stated that the reform measures have significantly curbed inflationary pressures. Fitsum pointed out that average annual inflation dropped from over 26 percent prior to the reform implementation to just above 16 percent one year later, attributing this progress to synchronized monetary and fiscal interventions. Key demand-side measures included the central bank's credit growth ceiling, the termination of direct fiscal financing, and targeted fiscal consolidation. On the supply side, initiatives in irrigation, agricultural mechanization, land use, and cluster farming enhanced yields and stabilized food supply. Notably, the national wheat initiative transformed Ethiopia from a wheat importer to self-sufficiency, she states. However, Fitsum cautioned that sustained inflation control faces ongoing domestic and external risks. She further emphasized that supply chain bottlenecks, rising fuel and transport costs, monetary policy credibility, and long-term fiscal consolidation require continued priority.

Addis Ababa, September 30, 2026 (ENA) — Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH) says it is expanding beyond managing existing state-owned enterprises to develop new businesses in strategic sectors, with an ambition to build companies that can drive Ethiopia’s economic growth and expand across Africa. EIH Chief Executive Officer Brook Taye says the investment strategy is intended to preserve and strengthen the assets inherited from previous generations while creating new enterprises for the future. “So the investment side of EIH is equally important in terms of creating the next Ethiopian Airlines, the next Ethiotelecom, the next Commercial Bank of Ethiopia. Those are the companies we’ll be handing over. Currently we’re working on over 29 different investments. We’ve established up to five different companies that are working on several different sectors.” Beyond commercial returns, Brook says some investments are designed to address strategic needs, particularly where domestic capacity is important for national resilience. One example is a passport-printing company established in Ethiopia with a Japanese partner, following supply challenges experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. “As a sovereign, you manufacture, you produce what you think is important for your country. If you rely on a third party, it’s not about price, it’s about availability. So, as a result, what we’ve decided as EIH, with the direction of the government, is to establish a passport-printing company in Ethiopia. We’ve got a partner, a Japanese partner, Toppan. The factory is being completed, and we’re producing that in Ethiopia.” EIH is also exploring investment opportunities in agriculture, hospitality and mining, including plans involving agricultural land and the development of Ethiopia’s potash resources. Brook says the institution ultimately wants to extend its investment footprint beyond national borders. “In the next 5-10 years, I want EIH to be the most highly sought-after investment company in the continent. Our aim is to diversify our portfolio across the continent, not only Ethiopia, the same way Ethiopian Airlines has businesses across the continent. We want all our portfolio companies to be active. We want to drive economic growth in Ethiopia, be it in technology, agriculture, manufacturing.” Brook says EIH’s mandate is to manage its assets profitably and generate returns for the Ethiopian people, while investing in businesses that can support long-term economic growth. Its continental ambitions also point to a wider role for African investment institutions in building productive capacity and retaining more economic value within the continent.

Sept. 30, 2026 (ENA) The successful completion and inauguration of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) has demonstrated that Ethiopia possesses the engineering, institutional and financial capacity to undertake projects of historic scale. The achievement has also opened a broader question: What comes next for Ethiopia’s development of the Abay (Blue Nile) Basin? GERD is more than a single hydropower project. With an installed capacity of 5,150 MW and a reservoir capacity of about 74 billion cubic metres, it represents one of Ethiopia’s largest infrastructure undertakings and a major expansion of the country’s capacity to develop its water and energy resources. The experience accumulated through GERD—from engineering and project management to financing, institutional coordination and human-resource development, provides Ethiopia with a substantial knowledge base for considering additional water-resource projects. The Abay Basin Has More Potential GERD is not the only hydropower opportunity identified in the Ethiopian Blue Nile system. An International Water Management Institute (IWMI) assessment found that more than 120 potential hydropower sites had been identified along the Ethiopian Blue Nile, while 26 were investigated in greater detail under the Abay River Basin Master Plan. The assessment also identified substantial potential for additional hydropower development, alongside irrigation schemes. More recent research further points to the possibility of integrating hydropower generation with irrigation development. Research available through Addis Ababa University indicates that a four-project cascade that could generate up to about 38 TWh of annual electricity under a hydropower-focused scenario, while integrated irrigation development would require balancing electricity generation against water-use needs. These findings do not mean that every identified project should automatically be constructed. Rather, they demonstrate that the Abay Basin contains a significant portfolio of technically identified opportunities that can be evaluated according to economic feasibility, environmental sustainability, downstream effects and Ethiopia’s long-term development priorities. From One Mega Project to a Broader Development Strategy For Ethiopia, the strategic significance of GERD therefore extends beyond electricity generation. Additional carefully planned hydropower and irrigation infrastructure could contribute to electricity supply, agricultural productivity, food security, industrialization and regional power connectivity. Hydropower could also strengthen Ethiopia’s renewable-energy base and create additional opportunities for electricity exports. The key lesson from GERD is that large national infrastructure projects require more than physical construction. They require long-term planning, institutional capacity, financing mechanisms, technical expertise, public participation and sustained national commitment. Solomon Zena, Executive Director of the Policy Innovation Research Center (PIRC), told ENA recently that Ethiopia should build on the experience gained through GERD. “The nation needs to move ahead and build more dams,” Solomon said, stressing that the successful completion of GERD demonstrated what Ethiopians could accomplish through unity and determination. His argument reflects a broader development proposition: GERD should not necessarily be viewed as the conclusion of Ethiopia’s major water-infrastructure ambitions, but as a foundation from which future projects can be evaluated. Development Rights and Shared Waters The debate over additional dams, however, cannot be separated from the broader Nile Basin dispute. Egypt has repeatedly opposed reports of additional Ethiopian dams. In August 2026, Egyptian Irrigation Minister Hani Sewilam said Egypt would not allow Ethiopia to build new dams on the Nile. Egyptian officials have also called for legally binding arrangements concerning the operation of GERD and Nile-water flows. Ethiopia, for its part, maintains its right to develop its water resources for economic and social development while arguing that its projects can be pursued without causing significant harm to downstream countries. This disagreement, particularly as tensions escalate over Egypt’s opposition to Ethiopia’s development projects, highlights a fundamental challenge in the Nile Basin: how the principle of equitable and reasonable utilization can be advanced in a way that respects the development rights of all riparian states. The issue should therefore be addressed through evidence, technical assessment and genuine cooperation—not through efforts to freeze development, particularly in the upstream countries of the basin. Beyond GERD The completion of GERD has changed the scale of what Ethiopia can realistically contemplate in terms of national infrastructure. The country now possesses experience from one of Africa’s largest hydropower projects, while the Abay Basin contains a much wider portfolio of historically identified hydropower and irrigation opportunities. The next phase should consequently focus on careful, technically sound and economically viable development and dam infrastructures. Additional dams should be considered project by project, based on hydrological data, economic returns, environmental and social impacts, irrigation requirements, climate resilience and Ethiopia’s aspiration for future development. GERD has demonstrated Ethiopia’s capacity to build at an unprecedented scale. The larger question now is how that capacity can be translated into a long-term, integrated Abay Basin development strategy that expands clean energy, supports agriculture and industry, strengthens regional electricity integration and advances Ethiopia’s development objectives while engaging constructively with downstream countries. The lesson of GERD is therefore not simply that Ethiopia can build a mega-dam. It is that Ethiopia has acquired the experience and institutional confidence to think beyond a single project and consider the next generation of transformative infrastructure.

Addis Ababa, September 29, 2026 (ENA) — Ethiopia is building a strong and vibrant financial sector to support the country’s development ambitions and sustainable economic growth, National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) Governor Eyob Tekalign said. Briefing the media on the sidelines of the second Ethiopia Finance Forum that opened today, the Governor noted that successful implementation of the country's development strategy requires significant resource mobilization, particularly financial resources to support investment and development. Therefore, the banking sector is being positioned to play a greater role in this process through increased capitalization, mergers and acquisitions, additional financing and participation of foreign banks. “The Central Bank will be focused on creating a very strong, vibrant financial sector that can really carry the development hurdles that the nation faces,” Eyob said.   The Governor said a stronger financial sector will help expand the capacity of the economy to support investment and productive activities. He also highlighted the importance of maintaining a sound macroeconomic foundation while advancing the country’s growth and development agenda. Eyob expressed confidence in Ethiopia’s economic prospects, pointing to the transformation achieved across the country over the past eight years. “Ethiopia’s progress offers significant promise for the coming decades, particularly for the country’s young generation,” he said. According to him, sustainable growth and macroeconomic stability will remain important foundations for achieving the country’s long-term development ambitions. The Governor further highlighted efforts to improve citizens’ living standards through higher incomes, greater productivity and improved access to essential goods and services. Housing and food production are among the key areas being addressed as part of efforts to improve livelihoods, he added. Increasing productivity and making essential food commodities more accessible can also contribute to improving household welfare. Eyob also noted that the government has significantly increased salaries for public servants as part of broader efforts to enhance citizens’ incomes.   The Governor stressed that the end result is to make sure people feel empowered and they have better livelihoods. “Strategy is judged by citizens’ results. What does it bring to an individual Ethiopian? And that’s the question,” he said. The Governor reaffirmed NBE’s commitment to strengthening Ethiopia’s financial sector and supporting investment, productivity, sustainable growth and improved livelihoods. The Ethiopia Finance Forum has brought together policymakers, financial institutions, development partners, private-sector leaders and members of the Ethiopian diaspora to discuss Ethiopia’s financial sector reform agenda.

Addis Ababa, September 29, 2026 (ENA) — Ethiopia has been pursuing economic and financial reforms that aim at moving the country from stabilization to economic transformation, Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh said. Opening the second Ethiopia Finance Forum, the DPM said the country has undertaken major reforms in the foreign exchange market, monetary policy and financial-sector regulation, while opening sectors to competition and investment. “Nations do not transform themselves by choosing only what is easy. They transform themselves by doing what is necessary, and by sustaining that course long enough for reform to become institutions, for institutions to create confidence, and for confidence to create opportunity,” he elaborated. Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen pointed to improvements in exports, reserves and government revenues as well as easing inflationary pressures. He also noted improved access to foreign exchange and the easing of constraints affecting private investment.   The success of reforms should however be ultimately measured by their impact on citizens, he added, stressing that farmers, young people, women entrepreneurs and MSMEs should be able to access finance and expand their businesses. According to the DPM, capital is more than money and all depends on confidence in institutions, laws, markets and policy credibility. “Our response to uncertainty will not be retreat. It will be stronger institutions. Our response to pressure will not be abandonment of reform. It will be deeper reform. And our answer to those who doubt Ethiopia’s future will not be rhetoric alone; it will be results,” he noted. The next phase of reform will focus on moving from stabilization to transformation through expanded financial inclusion, agricultural finance, investment and deeper financial markets, Temesgen announced. The agenda also includes housing finance, insurance, depositor protection and modern financial-market infrastructure. Moreover, he highlighted digital transformation, cybersecurity, consumer protection and financial literacy as key elements of the financial-sector reform agenda. The government cannot deliver the transformation alone, the DPM stated, calling for stronger cooperation among the private sector, financial institutions, investors and development partners. Ethiopia’s growing domestic market, young population and potential in agriculture, manufacturing, energy and services create significant opportunities.   Temesgen stressed that economic growth must be inclusive and extended to financing opportunities to women, youth, farmers, MSMEs and communities beyond major cities. “Our task is therefore not merely to make finance larger. It is to make finance work better—more competitive, more innovative, more inclusive, more resilient, and more deeply connected to the productive economy.” The DPM urged forum participants to identify practical solutions and make concrete commitments, stressing that policies deliver results only through implementation. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to macroeconomic stability, responsible reform and a competitive private sector that expands opportunities for Ethiopians.   The three-day Ethiopia Finance Forum, running from September 29 to October 1, has brought together policymakers, financial institutions, investors, development partners and private-sector leaders.

Addis Ababa, September 29, 2026 (ENA) —An international coffee expo in Toronto has brought together Ethiopian coffee exporters and Canadian buyers in a bid to expand bilateral coffee trade and unlock new market opportunities. Organized by the Embassy of Ethiopia in Canada, the expo brought together Ethiopian coffee exporters, Canadian coffee importers, business leaders, industry experts, diplomats and other key stakeholders to promote Ethiopia’s coffee sector and forge stronger business-to-business (B2B) partnerships.   Opening the event, Ethiopian Ambassador to Canada Tewodros Girma said that despite Ethiopia’s immense coffee potential, direct coffee trade with Canada remains limited compared with the size and capacity of the Canadian market. He underscored the strong demand for coffee in Canada and the global reputation of Ethiopian coffee. Ambassador Tewodros further stressed the need to establish stronger and more direct connections between Ethiopian exporters and Canadian buyers. Representing the Coffee Association of Canada, Anna Mancini highlighted the significant potential of the Canadian coffee market and expressed the association’s readiness to work with Ethiopian coffee exporters to deepen collaboration and open new opportunities.   The expo provided a platform for direct trade networking, allowing Ethiopian exporters to engage with Canadian importers and industry stakeholders and explore opportunities to expand Ethiopia’s coffee presence in the Canadian market. In its press release sent to ENA, Ethiopian Embassy in Canada noted that the initiative highlights growing efforts to translate Ethiopia’s globally recognized coffee heritage into stronger direct trade links and expanded access to international markets.

Addis Ababa, September 28, 2026 (ENA) —Egypt’s escalating media and political rhetoric over the Nile is partly aimed at diverting public attention from mounting economic and livelihood pressures, journalist and writer Zahid Zidan said. In an exclusive interview with POA, Zahid pointed to rising living costs and economic difficulties in Egypt, saying the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and Nile water issues have increasingly featured in the country’s political and media discourse. His comments come amid continued economic challenges identified by international financial institutions. In a September 21, 2026 assessment, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said Egypt had shown resilience to recent external shocks but that significant vulnerabilities remained, including high public debt and large financing needs. The IMF has also projected inflation to rise to about 16.7 percent in the second half of 2026, citing higher energy prices, exchange rate pressures and other factors “They want to manufacture anything, any kind of material, a dark weapon to distract the Egyptian public,” Zahid said, arguing that heightened rhetoric over the Nile is being used to shift attention from domestic challenges. He cited what he described as claims in some Egyptian media outlets concerning the potential effects of GERD, as well as allegations that Ethiopia intends to transfer water to Israel. According to Zahid, such narratives contribute to keeping the dam at the center of public debate. He stressed that his criticism was directed at Egyptian media platforms and political figures whom he accused of exploiting external disputes, rather than at the Egyptian people. He said ordinary Egyptians are primarily concerned with everyday challenges, including meeting basic needs, earning livelihoods and supporting their families. The remarks come amid renewed exchanges between Ethiopia and Egypt over Nile water development. Ethiopia has consistently maintained that it has a sovereign right to develop its natural resources, including the Abay River, while advocating cooperation and shared development among Nile Basin countries. In a September 22 statement responding to remarks by Egyptian Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam, Ethiopia’s Ministry of Water and Energy reaffirmed the country’s right to utilize its natural resources and said transboundary rivers should promote “cooperation, shared prosperity, and regional integration.” The completion of GERD has also strengthened calls within Ethiopia for further investment in hydropower and irrigation projects along the Abay River. Supporters of additional development argue that the experience gained from GERD can help expand renewable electricity generation, strengthen energy security, support agricultural development and increase cross-border power connectivity.

Addis Ababa, September 28, 2026 (ENA) —Ethiopia has reinforced its dedication to deepening regional integration, trade facilitation, and energy cooperation through the Horn of Africa Initiative (HoAI) during a high-level ministerial meeting in Nairobi. Gathering finance ministers from across the region alongside senior development partners, Monday's HoAI Ministerial Meeting served as a platform to advance joint economic cooperation and align on shared development priorities. Addressing the meeting virtually, Ethiopia’s Minister of Finance, Ahmed Shide, spotlighted the nation's key milestones in advancing regional integration. He pointed to the Ethio-Djibouti Refined Petroleum Products Pipeline as a vital project set to bolster energy security and significantly cut logistics costs. According to a press release sent to ENA, the minister also underscored Ethiopia’s leadership through its chairmanship of the Eastern Africa Power Pool Council of Ministers, alongside the full operationalization of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).   He also noted that developments will substantially strengthen the country's contribution to clean energy across the region. According to him, the meeting placed particular emphasis on trade facilitation and regional energy integration. He expressed Ethiopia’s support for the outcomes of the Trade Ministers’ Meeting held in Addis Ababa on September 3, including the establishment of a Regional Trade Facilitation Committee. The minister also welcomed findings from a regional energy study and monitoring exercise that identified key barriers to regional integration and indicated that Ethiopia is largely on track in advancing its commitments. As climate related shocks intensify across the region, Ahmed underscored the importance of strengthening resilience. He noted that projects under HoAI Pillar 3 are helping countries shift from emergency responses towards longer term approaches to resilience and development. The minister also welcomed the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) as a new HoAI partner, recognizing its longstanding support for infrastructure development in Ethiopia.   The participating ministers concluded the meeting by reaffirming trade as a regional priority and emphasizing the need for continued technical discussions among member countries to advance integration initiatives. Launched in 2019, the Horn of Africa Initiative provides a platform for countries in the region and development partners to promote regional integration, economic cooperation and joint responses to shared development challenges.

By Staff Writer Sept. 27, 2026 (ENA) Ethiopia’s diplomatic outreach, regional connectivity and economic transformation took centre stage during the week of September 20–26, as the country pursued an increasingly interconnected agenda spanning maritime access, global trade, energy, digital finance and regional integration. At the centre of the week was Ethiopia’s engagement at the 81st United Nations General Assembly, where President Taye Atske Selassie placed reliable sea access, stronger African representation in global institutions, multilateral reform, regional peace and sustainable development high on the international agenda. Back home and across the Horn of Africa, Ethiopia also advanced major economic and infrastructure initiatives. A new petroleum-products pipeline linking Ethiopia and Djibouti was announced, the country’s long-running bid to join the World Trade Organization moved into its final phase, and tourism posted more than 1.6 million international arrivals and over 5 billion USD in revenue during the 2018 Ethiopian Fiscal Year. This strategic infrastructure project aimed at further strengthening economic ties and cooperation between the two east African nations, was officially announced in the presence of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and President Ismail Omar Guelleh. Particularly, the project connecting Damerjog in Djibouti to Dewele in Ethiopia through a new refined petroleum products pipeline is supported by storage terminals at both ends. Together, the developments pointed to a broader national strategy: strengthening Ethiopia’s position in global institutions while building the infrastructure, trade links, energy systems and digital platforms needed to support long-term economic transformation. Sea Access Moves to the Global Diplomatic Agenda Ethiopia’s pursuit of reliable maritime access emerged as one of the most prominent themes of its participation in the UN General Assembly. Addressing the General Debate in New York, President Taye said Ethiopia was pursuing all possible diplomatic avenues to secure access to and from the sea, linking the issue directly to the country’s economic transformation and integration into global trade. He also stressed that the question could be addressed in a manner that serves the common interests and development of countries in the region.   The President’s UN address placed the maritime issue within a wider diplomatic framework that included African representation in global decision-making, multilateral reform, regional peace, climate action, renewable energy and technological transformation. He also presented the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) as a Pan-African clean-energy project capable of contributing to regional prosperity, while reaffirming Ethiopia’s commitment to regional integration and peaceful cooperation. Ethiopia-Djibouti Pipeline Deepens Regional Connectivity A major infrastructure announcement during the week added a powerful economic dimension to Ethiopia’s regional integration agenda. Ethiopia, Djibouti and the Dangote Group announced plans for a 120-kilometre refined petroleum-products pipeline connecting Damerjog in Djibouti with Dewele in Ethiopia, supported by storage facilities at both ends with combined capacity exceeding one million cubic metres. The project is being developed through a partnership between Ethiopian Investment Holdings and the Dangote Group. The planned infrastructure is designed to reduce Ethiopia’s reliance on tanker-truck transportation, cut logistics costs, ease congestion along the corridor and improve the efficiency and reliability of fuel distribution. Beyond fuel logistics, the project carries wider regional significance. It adds another layer to the economic relationship between Ethiopia and Djibouti and illustrates how infrastructure can turn regional integration from a diplomatic objective into practical economic connectivity. WTO Accession Enters Final Stretch Ethiopia’s long-running effort to join the World Trade Organization also moved closer to completion. The Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration said the accession process has reached the final stage of drafting the Working Party Report. Ethiopia is simultaneously pursuing bilateral market-access negotiations, with agreements concluded with 11 of 17 negotiating partners while discussions continue with the remaining six.   For Ethiopia, WTO membership is closely linked to its broader economic reform programme. The government expects accession to provide a more predictable framework for international trade, expand market opportunities, strengthen institutional capacity and support greater integration into global value chains. The process therefore represents more than a diplomatic milestone; it is part of Ethiopia’s effort to reposition its economy within the global trading system. Tourism Emerges as a Strong Foreign-Exchange Earner Tourism delivered another notable economic signal during the week. Ethiopia welcomed more than 1.6 million international tourists during the 2018 Ethiopian Fiscal Year, generating over 5 billion USD in revenue, according to the Ministry of Tourism. International arrivals increased by more than 300,000 from the previous fiscal year, while foreign-exchange earnings rose by more than 21 percent.   The figures came ahead of World Tourism Day on September 27, whose 2026 theme focuses on digital technology and artificial intelligence and their potential to reshape tourism. Ethiopia is also seeking to improve the visitor experience through digital tools. A new Tourist Information Center near Bole International Airport has been inaugurated with digital maps and multimedia displays designed to promote the country’s cultural, historical and natural attractions. Digital Finance Becomes Part of Economic Infrastructure Ethiopia also used the UN General Assembly week to showcase its progress in digital financial inclusion. At a high-level side event jointly organized by Ethiopia’s Permanent Mission to the UN and the United Nations Capital Development Fund, officials and development partners examined the expansion of digital payments, national digital identity and digital public infrastructure.   The discussions reflected an important shift in Ethiopia’s digital-development narrative: digital finance is increasingly being treated not merely as a financial service but as part of the country’s wider economic infrastructure. Digital identity, interoperable payments and digitally enabled public services are being linked to entrepreneurship, productivity, financial inclusion and the Sustainable Development Goals. The government highlighted initiatives including Digital Ethiopia 2030, Fayda, interoperable payment systems and BRIDGE 2030 as components of this emerging digital ecosystem. The next challenge, officials and development partners noted, is to move beyond access and ensure that digital systems translate into productive economic opportunities for households and businesses. Energy Exports Strengthen Regional Economic Links Renewable energy remained another important pillar of Ethiopia’s regional economic strategy. According to Ethiopian Electric Power CEO Ashebir Balcha, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam accounts for 52 percent of Ethiopia’s electricity export revenue, while total electricity-export earnings have surpassed 500 million USD. Ethiopia currently exports electricity to Kenya, Djibouti, Sudan and Tanzania. The figures underline the growing role of electricity trade in Ethiopia’s economic and regional integration agenda. The GERD is increasingly positioned not only as a national power-generation project but also as part of a broader regional energy network—linking renewable-energy production with exports, foreign-exchange generation and cross-border economic cooperation. Peace and Regional Integration Remain Central Alongside economic diplomacy, Ethiopia continued to emphasize regional peace and cooperation. At the UN, President Taye reiterated Ethiopia’s support for a Sudanese-led and Sudanese-owned process to achieve lasting peace in Sudan, while also highlighting regional integration through infrastructure, trade and people-to-people relations. This approach reflects the increasingly close connection Ethiopia draws between peace, connectivity and economic development across the Horn of Africa. Infrastructure corridors, energy trade, maritime connectivity and regional institutions are increasingly being viewed as parts of the same broader equation: creating an environment in which economic integration can reinforce regional stability.   A Week That Connected Diplomacy with Development The developments of September 20–26 presented a picture of Ethiopia pursuing several strategic priorities simultaneously. At the global level, the UN General Assembly provided a platform to advance Ethiopia’s positions on maritime access, African representation, multilateral reform, climate action and regional peace. At the regional level, the Ethiopia-Djibouti petroleum pipeline added fresh momentum to infrastructure-led integration, while expanding electricity exports continued to strengthen cross-border economic links. At the economic level, WTO accession moved into its final stretch, tourism generated more than $5 billion in revenue, and digital finance gained greater prominence as an element of economic infrastructure. Consequently, the week’s developments highlighted an increasingly interconnected Ethiopian agenda—from diplomacy to trade, from sea access to infrastructure, from renewable energy to digital finance, and from regional connectivity to global economic integration. The common thread is clear: Ethiopia is seeking to translate diplomatic engagement and infrastructure investment into broader economic connectivity, while positioning regional cooperation as an important component of its long-term development trajectory.

Addis Ababa, September 27, 2026 (ENA) —Ethiopia’s Meskel-Demera, the discovery of the ‘True Cross’, celebration has captivated international visitors with its striking blend of faith, culture, history and community. The celebration gives visitors from around the world a rare firsthand glimpse into one of Ethiopia’s most distinctive and enduring religious traditions. For them who gathered in Addis Ababa to witness the festival, Meskel was more than a colorful public celebration. It was an opportunity to experience a centuries-old Christian tradition that remains deeply embedded in Ethiopian society.   Approached by ENA, visitors from Jordan, Jamaica, Norway, Germany and Croatia described Meskel as a unique and memorable experience, highlighting the vibrant ceremonies, spiritual atmosphere, warm hospitality and the remarkable participation of people from across society. Michelle Akasheu, a visitor from Jordan, said he was immediately impressed by the warmth of the Ethiopian people and the spiritual atmosphere surrounding the celebration. “I’m Christian, so I’m Catholic. A friend asked me to join him today to see this beautiful festival, which I really love,” Akasheu said.   He said attending Meskel gave him a rare opportunity to witness Ethiopia’s longstanding Christian tradition in a deeply communal setting. “Christianity is very, very old in this country, and it is embedded in the spirit of the people here,” he said. The participation of priests and the wider community, he added, made the celebration particularly distinctive. Having previously visited the Vatican and attended other religious events, Akasheu said Meskel offered an experience closely connected to Ethiopia’s unique Christian heritage. He also expressed interest in exploring the country beyond Addis Ababa, particularly its rock-hewn churches, monasteries and other historic sites. “There is a lot to be seen here,” he said, encouraging greater international promotion of Ethiopia’s cultural and religious heritage. For Jamaican visitor Njkita Nkruma Lindsay, who has lived in Ethiopia for about 19 years, Meskel carries a particularly deep spiritual and cultural meaning.   Lindsay, who described herself as an Orthodox Christian, said Ethiopia represents freedom and a sense of belonging for people of African descent whose ancestors were taken away during the transatlantic slave trade. “For us, Ethiopia is the land of freedom — freedom in every way, religious freedom and physical freedom,” she said. He said Meskel vividly reflects the enduring place of Christianity in Ethiopian cultural life and brings large numbers of people together in a shared celebration. “Meskel is representing Christianity. It’s the finding of the True Cross,” Lindsay said. What makes the festival especially distinctive, she added, is its nationwide character and the way it brings communities together through both faith and cultural tradition. “In Ethiopia, celebrating Meskel is for every Christian,” she said. Lindsay encouraged people from around the world to visit Ethiopia and experience the festival themselves. For Norwegian tourist Jorulf Husbyn, Meskel was an unexpected highlight of his first visit to Ethiopia.   “We didn’t know it was a festival, so we wanted to stop in Ethiopia on our way to Southern Africa and explore the culture, geography and history. So this is our lucky day to come by this festival,” Husbyn said. The unexpected encounter gave him a memorable introduction to Ethiopia’s cultural and religious traditions. Husbyn said he was impressed by the colorful celebration, the people and the atmosphere surrounding the event, describing it as an opportunity to discover another dimension of Ethiopia’s history and culture. As a Christian and Lutheran, he said witnessing Meskel was particularly meaningful. “I’m very excited to be here, to see and explore the culture and this part of Christianity,” he said. He also praised Ethiopia’s natural landscapes, history and hospitality, saying the country offers rich experiences for travelers interested in culture and heritage. German visitor Andreas Schaible, who was in Ethiopia for the second time, said Meskel was his first experience of the festival and offered him another perspective on Ethiopian culture.   “It’s very interesting to see the differences between the culture in Germany and in Ethiopia,” Schaible said. Having lived and worked in Addis Ababa, he said he had become increasingly interested in the country’s traditions and public celebrations. “It’s very good for me to learn about the culture here in Ethiopia,” he said, emphasizing the value of understanding both cultural differences and similarities. Schaible also pointed to Ethiopia’s traditions, food and coffee as some of the experiences that make the country distinctive as a tourist destination. His family, he added, plans to visit Ethiopia in the future. For Croatian visitor Zvonimir Rakigjija, Meskel was not simply a new cultural experience but a return to a country with which he has a decades-long connection. Rakigjija lived in Ethiopia from 1966 to 1973 and attended St. Joseph’s School. He returned to the country with his wife to revisit its festivals, traditions and places that had remained important to him.   He praised Ethiopia’s people, landscapes and cultural heritage and encouraged visitors to venture beyond Addis Ababa to experience the country’s diverse communities and scenery. From first-time visitors unexpectedly encountering the festival to those returning after decades, the international guests shared a common impression: Meskel offers an experience that goes beyond watching a religious ceremony. It brings Ethiopia’s living heritage into the public space—where faith, history, culture and community converge around the Demera, creating a celebration that visitors can witness, experience and remember. For international tourists, Meskel is therefore not simply a festival on Ethiopia’s calendar. It is a vivid gateway into the country’s enduring cultural and spiritual identity.

By Staff Writer Sept. 27, 2026 (ENA) Ethiopia’s diplomacy is entering a new era—less confined to traditional political relations and increasingly driven by economic interests, strategic partnerships and a wider global footprint. Over the past eight years, Ethiopia has significantly broadened the arenas in which it engages the world. From Addis Ababa’s role as the diplomatic capital of Africa to its entry into BRICS, from the Pretoria peace process to the Ankara Declaration, from renewed WTO negotiations to a seat on the UN Human Rights Council, Ethiopia has expanded the platforms through which it seeks to shape regional and international affairs. The story is not about one diplomatic breakthrough. It is about the widening of Ethiopia’s diplomatic space. From Addis Ababa to BRICS One of the clearest symbols of this expansion is Ethiopia’s entry into BRICS. At the Johannesburg Summit in August 2023, BRICS leaders invited Ethiopia to become a full member, with membership taking effect on January 1, 2024. For Addis Ababa, BRICS opened another channel to engage major emerging economies and participate in discussions spanning politics and security, economic and financial cooperation, and people-to-people relations. More importantly, the move reflected a broader diplomatic strategy: diversification. Ethiopia has sought to deepen relations simultaneously with African partners, emerging economies, Western countries, Gulf states and Asian powers rather than allowing its international engagement to depend on a narrow circle of partners. Diplomacy With an Economic Purpose Perhaps the most important change has been the growing weight of economic diplomacy. Foreign policy is increasingly being connected to investment, trade, tourism, technology, infrastructure and market access. Diplomatic missions are expected not only to represent Ethiopia politically, but also to help connect the country with capital, markets and commercial opportunities. That shift mirrors Ethiopia’s own economic transformation. As the country seeks greater export capacity, investment and industrial development, diplomacy increasingly becomes an economic instrument. The embassy is no longer only a political bridge; it is increasingly part of the economic bridge. Regional Diplomacy Under Strategic Pressure Ethiopia’s geographic position makes regional diplomacy unavoidable. The country sits at the intersection of the Horn of Africa, the Nile Basin and the Red Sea, where security, trade, migration, infrastructure and political interests overlap. The Ankara Declaration with Somalia in December 2024 demonstrated the role of dialogue in addressing difficult regional questions. Ethiopia and Somalia reaffirmed respect for each other’s sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity and agreed to pursue cooperation toward shared prosperity. The significance extends beyond one declaration. It illustrates Ethiopia’s attempt to keep contentious regional questions within diplomatic channels while pursuing its strategic and economic interests. From Conflict Management to African Diplomacy Pretoria put Ethiopia at the center of one of Africa’s most consequential peace efforts. But even under the scrutiny of African and international mediators, the TPLF repeatedly came under fire for actions that threatened to undermine the commitments of the agreement—exposing the difficult path from a signed peace deal to durable stability. The broader lesson is that Ethiopia’s diplomatic weight is not derived only from its size or geographic position. It also comes from its role in continental institutions. Addis Ababa hosts the African Union headquarters, making the city a permanent meeting point for African leaders, diplomats and international organizations. That institutional position gives Ethiopia a distinctive platform from which to engage debates on peace, security, development and continental integration. A Seat at the Global Table Ethiopia’s election to the UN Human Rights Council for the 2025–2027 term further expanded its multilateral presence. The UN General Assembly elected Ethiopia among 18 members on October 9, 2024; the Council consists of 47 states. Such positions provide Ethiopia with additional opportunities to participate directly in international policymaking and multilateral diplomacy. The significance is therefore not simply symbolic. Representation creates another diplomatic channel through which Ethiopia can present its positions, negotiate interests and participate in shaping international discussions. The WTO Door Is Opening Wider Ethiopia’s long-running WTO accession process has also regained momentum. The WTO said in September 2025 that the process had entered a “decisive phase.” By April 2026, the organization described the negotiations as having reached a “decisive juncture,” with Ethiopia reporting further domestic reforms and continued engagement with WTO members. The accession process matters because it connects diplomacy directly to the structure of Ethiopia’s economy. Joining the multilateral trading system would deepen Ethiopia’s engagement with global markets while requiring continued reforms to trade-related institutions and regulations. In this sense, WTO diplomacy is not simply about Geneva.It is about transforming how Ethiopia trades with the world. The Red Sea Enters the Diplomatic Equation Few issues demonstrate the changing character of Ethiopian diplomacy more clearly than the Red Sea. For a landlocked country whose economy depends heavily on maritime trade, developments around the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb have direct economic and strategic consequences. Maritime connectivity has consequently moved higher on Ethiopia’s diplomatic agenda. The issue intersects with trade, logistics, regional security and economic integration, bringing Ethiopia into discussions that extend well beyond its borders. The Red Sea question therefore illustrates the central feature of Ethiopia’s evolving diplomacy: national economic interests and regional strategy are becoming increasingly intertwined. A Wider Circle of Partners Ethiopia’s engagement with China, India, Russia, the United States, European countries and Gulf states has developed alongside its relationships with African neighbors and its participation in BRICS. The objective is not necessarily to choose one geopolitical camp. It is to expand Ethiopia’s room for diplomatic and economic engagement. That wider network gives Addis Ababa more channels for cooperation in investment, infrastructure, trade, technology, security and development. The result is a foreign policy increasingly built around multiple partnerships rather than a single diplomatic axis. The Real Test Begins Now Yet diplomatic expansion is not an end in itself. The coming years will determine whether Ethiopia can convert diplomatic access into concrete economic opportunities, stronger regional connectivity, expanded investment, deeper trade and durable partnerships. Memberships, declarations, elections and summits create platforms. What matters next is what Ethiopia builds on those platforms. The past eight years have nevertheless marked a notable expansion of Ethiopia’s diplomatic reach. BRICS has opened another global platform. The Human Rights Council has strengthened its multilateral presence. Pretoria demonstrated the potential of African-led diplomacy. Ankara created a framework for renewed engagement with Somalia. WTO negotiations have gained fresh momentum. Economic diplomacy has become increasingly central to foreign policy, while the Red Sea has emerged as a strategic priority. Consequently, these developments point to a broader transformation. Ethiopia is no longer approaching diplomacy simply as a means of maintaining relationships. It is increasingly using diplomacy to pursue markets, partnerships, connectivity, security and national development. From the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa to the BRICS table, from regional peace initiatives to global trade negotiations, Ethiopia’s diplomatic map has expanded considerably. The next chapter will be defined not by how many doors Ethiopia has opened, but by how effectively it turns those openings into lasting national and regional gains.

By Neway Abay S. Ethiopia has never truly been a stranger to the Red Sea. Long before modern borders redrew the map of the Horn of Africa, Ethiopian civilization was connected to the Red Sea through trade, diplomacy and coastal gateways linking the highlands with Arabia, the Mediterranean and the wider Indian Ocean world. That historic connection was eventually severed. But geography was not. Today, Ethiopia is a country of more than 130 million people, one of Africa’s largest economies and a major economic center in the Horn of Africa—yet it remains without a coastline. For decades, its international trade has depended heavily on neighboring ports, particularly Djibouti. The World Bank continues to describe Djibouti as Ethiopia’s primary maritime gateway, while recent assessments underline how disruptions along the corridor can translate directly into higher logistics costs and economic pressure inside Ethiopia. That reality has turned maritime access from a historical question into a contemporary economic, security and strategic one. Geography Cannot Be Negotiated Away Ethiopia’s loss of direct access to the sea did not erase its geographic position. The country remains at the center of the Horn of Africa, immediately adjoining one of the world’s most consequential maritime regions. The Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Bab el-Mandeb connect Africa with the Middle East, Asia and Europe and disruptions there can reverberate through global trade, energy markets and supply chains. For Ethiopia, the consequences are particularly direct.   A landlocked economy of this scale cannot treat maritime connectivity as a peripheral concern. Every container entering or leaving the country ultimately depends on a corridor connecting the interior to the coast. The current system has created an important economic relationship with Djibouti, but it has also exposed the structural vulnerability of relying overwhelmingly on a single maritime gateway. The Addis-Djibouti corridor remains vital to Ethiopian trade, while the World Bank notes that disruptions and inefficiencies along the wider logistics chain can affect businesses and consumers. The question, therefore, is no longer whether Ethiopia is interested in the sea. It is how a country of Ethiopia’s demographic and economic weight can build reliable, diversified and sustainable maritime connectivity. Most importantly, the rapidly shifting political and military dynamics in the Red Sea and Horn of Africa have made sovereign sea access not merely desirable for Ethiopia, but increasingly unavoidable. The Red Sea Is No Longer Just a Trade Route The strategic importance of the Red Sea has become impossible to ignore. The Bab el-Mandeb is a critical maritime chokepoint. Recent disruptions have demonstrated how quickly insecurity at sea can become an economic problem on land, raising freight costs, extending shipping times and disrupting supply chains. UN Trade and Development has recently warned that renewed disruptions around Bab el-Mandeb are creating longer routes, higher fuel consumption, greater costs and additional pressure on global trade. For Ethiopia, this creates a striking paradox. Although the country has no coastline, instability along the Red Sea can affect its economy directly.   Ethiopia therefore has a substantial stake in the security of a maritime space in which it currently has limited direct presence. This is why the Red Sea question cannot be reduced to the search for a port. It is about connectivity, economic security and regional stability. From a Port to a Corridor Ethiopia’s maritime ambition makes greater sense when viewed not as a search for a single coastal facility, but as part of a much larger economic corridor. A functioning maritime connection would link the coast to Ethiopia’s roads, railways, dry ports, industrial parks, agricultural production centers and consumer markets. The objective would not simply be to move containers andiIt would be to move an economy. That distinction matters. A port without an efficient inland network is only a point on a map. A port connected to production, manufacturing, agriculture and regional markets becomes an engine of economic integration. Ethiopia’s experience with the Djibouti corridor already demonstrates the importance of this wider system. The World Bank’s recent work on Modjo Dry Port, for example, highlights how improvements in inland logistics can reduce processing delays and strengthen Ethiopia’s links to international markets. The next stage of Ethiopia’s maritime thinking can therefore be understood as the search for multiple corridors, multiple gateways and greater resilience. Economic Security Is Maritime Security The Red Sea has also exposed another reality: maritime security and economic security are increasingly inseparable. When shipping routes are threatened, insurance costs rise. When vessels divert around dangerous waters, delivery times increase. When freight costs rise, the consequences eventually reach factories, farmers, traders and households far from the coastline.   Ethiopia does not need to be a coastal country to experience these consequences. Indeed, its landlocked position makes reliable maritime access even more important. A diversified maritime strategy could give Ethiopia greater resilience against disruptions while creating additional opportunities for trade, investment and industrial development. It could also strengthen the economic interests that Ethiopia shares with its coastal neighbors. A Return to the Sea Need Not Mean a Return to Rivalry There is another dimension to Ethiopia’s maritime question that deserves greater attention. Access to the sea does not necessarily have to become another source of regional competition. It can become an instrument of regional integration. A port serving Ethiopian trade can generate business for a coastal state. A road or railway linking the interior to the coast can connect multiple economies. Industrial and logistics zones can create jobs and investment on both sides of a border. In that sense, Ethiopia’s maritime aspirations can be framed not simply as a national demand, but as part of a broader Horn of Africa economic equation. The region has spent decades treating geography as a source of strategic rivalry. It can also treat geography as an opportunity for integration. Ethiopia’s Maritime Question Is Growing, Not Fading Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has repeatedly underscored that Ethiopia’s desire for sea access in terms of geography, economic necessity, dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation rather than military expansion. The Ethiopian government has stated that the country’s demographic and economic scale makes dependable maritime connectivity an important national interest. That argument sits within a broader reality. Ethiopia is not the same country it was three decades ago. Its population and economy have expanded. Its trade ambitions have grown. Its industrial and agricultural production is becoming more integrated with international markets. And its exposure to disruptions along global shipping routes is increasing. The maritime question will therefore become more—not less—important as Ethiopia’s economy expands. The revival of attention to maritime affairs, including the re-establishment of the Ethiopian Navy in 2018, reflects this broader strategic shift. But the ultimate objective need not be the projection of power. It can be the protection of economic interests, participation in regional maritime security and the creation of durable commercial links between the Ethiopian interior and the global economy. The Geography of the Future The central fact remains remarkably simple: Ethiopia’s landlocked status is a historical tragedy shaped by external forces and political decisions made during a turbulent period—decisions that profoundly altered the country’s relationship with the sea. Yet the giant nation has never truly been disconnected from the Red Sea. Its economy depends on maritime trade. Its security environment is shaped by the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb. Its geographic position places it at the heart of the Horn of Africa. And its growing population and economy make dependable access to international trade routes increasingly consequential. The challenge, therefore, is not to recreate history exactly as it was. It is to build a new relationship with the sea suited to the realities of the 21st century. That means ports—but also corridors. It means trade—but also security. It means national interest—but also regional cooperation.   And above all, it means recognizing that the Red Sea is not a distant body of water separated from Ethiopia by political boundaries. It is part of the strategic geography in which Ethiopia’s future is being shaped. For a country whose civilization has been connected to the Red Sea for centuries, the renewed search for maritime connectivity is not simply a journey backward into history. It is Ethiopia looking toward the future and back toward the sea.

Addis Ababa, September 26, 2026 (ENA) —Ethiopia’s BRICS membership is opening new opportunities across various sectors, Senior Researcher at the Foreign Affairs Institute (FAI) Himanot Eshetu told ENA. Himanot emphasized that Ethiopia’s BRICS membership is gaining momentum, creating greater leverage to strengthen economic partnerships, attract investment, diversify development financing, and advance its national interests globally. Ethiopia's active engagement with major emerging economies, coupled with its participation in high-level discussions concerning global economic and geopolitical issues, renders its BRICS membership profoundly strategic, she added. “BRICS is not just an economic grouping. Especially for Ethiopia, it is an additional platform for diplomatic engagement,” she said. The platform also enables Ethiopia to advance its national interests while championing African priorities across critical sectors, including global finance, technology, trade, sustainable development, and security. A major advantage of this membership is access to the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB), which Himanot noted will significantly expand funding for infrastructure and sustainable development.   The country can successfully diversify its development finance sources as the bank’s financing goals align closely with Ethiopia's national needs. “If we have more sources of finance, Ethiopia will get an opportunity and flexibility to implement its development priorities,” she said, emphasizing that NDB funding is meant to complement, rather than replace, existing partnerships. Since joining the bloc in 2024, Ethiopia has actively engaged in BRICS initiatives, ranging from heads of state summits and ministerial meetings to expert-level discussions and working groups. Beyond finance, Himanot highlighted the potential to connect with major emerging markets, expanding trade and investment horizons. To capitalize on these prospects, she stressed the importance of promoting competitive domestic sectors, such as agriculture, agro-processing, textile manufacturing, energy, tourism, and mining. Furthermore, the platform offers an avenue to deepen economic cooperation and advocate for the broader interests of the Global South. Ultimately, Himanot concluded, maximizing these benefits will require coordinated institutional engagement, a sharp focus on tangible economic outcomes, and proactive promotion of Ethiopia's trade and investment potential.

Addis Ababa, September 26, 2026 (ENA) —Ethiopia has reaffirmed its longstanding partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), increasing its contribution to the Fund’s 14th Replenishment (IFAD14) tenfold. President Taye Atske-Selassie made the commitment during a high-level gathering attended by African Heads of State and Government, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed and IFAD President Alvaro Lario. The renewal commitment came as Ethiopia steps up efforts to transform rural livelihoods and strengthen agricultural development. President Taye highlighted Ethiopia’s nearly five-decade partnership with IFAD, which has supported efforts to improve the livelihoods and resilience of millions of people across the country’s rural and pastoralist communities.   Through successive programmes, the partnership has reached nearly 10 million people, backed by 227 million USD in national contributions and approximately 1.2 billion USD in total co-financing. Demonstrating Ethiopia’s renewed commitment to the partnership, the government has increased its contribution to IFAD14 from 100,000 USD to 1 million USD, a tenfold increase. The move underscores Ethiopia’s continued focus on rural transformation, agricultural development and strengthening opportunities for rural and pastoralist communities, it was learned.

Addis Ababa, September 25, 2026 (ENA) —The newly launched Ethiopia-Djibouti petroleum products pipeline will transform fuel logistics by reducing reliance on tanker trucks, cutting transport costs, easing corridor congestion and accelerating fuel deliveries, Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH) CEO Brook Taye said. Ethiopia, Djibouti and the Dangote Group on Thursday announced plans to develop a 120-kilometre refined petroleum products pipeline linking Damerjog in Djibouti to Dewele in Ethiopia, with combined capacity of more than one million cubic metres. The project is being developed through a partnership between Ethiopian Investment Holdings and the Dangote Group.   The announcement was made in the presence of Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh and Dangote Group President Aliko Dangote. Ethiopian Investment Holdings CEO Brook told The Pulse of Africa that the planned 120-km petroleum pipeline will reduce reliance on tanker trucks, cut logistics costs, ease congestion and speed fuel delivery. The project is expected to improve Ethiopia’s competitiveness while strengthening the strategic Ethiopia-Djibouti trade corridor. The project is focused on finding a more efficient way of transporting refined petroleum products from Djibouti to Ethiopia. He said Ethiopia currently imports petroleum products through Djibouti, where vessels unload the products into storage depots before they are transported to Ethiopia by tanker trucks. According to Brook, the current system involves transporting petroleum products by road for about 750 kilometers, which he described as “the most inefficient way” of transporting the products. “The most efficient way of doing it would be pipeline,” Brook said, adding that pipeline transportation is safer, more secure and more competitive in terms of cost. He said the infrastructure would allow Ethiopia to transport what he described as its most expensive import in a more efficient way. Brook also pointed to the costs associated with delays at Djibouti's port under the current system. He said vessels can be delayed when tankers or storage facilities are not available, resulting in significant demurrage costs. “When the vessel arrives in Djibouti right now, the vessel will be stuck and will pay a huge amount of demurrage because the tankers are not there, the depot is not ready, or there are many different issues,” Brook said. He said the new infrastructure would allow vessels to unload their cargo immediately into the depot, after which the petroleum products could be transported through the pipeline toward Ethiopia. Brook said the system would also reduce the time required to move petroleum products from the arrival of a vessel in Djibouti to their delivery in Ethiopia. “This would enable us to be efficient, reduce the amount of time it would take from unloading the vessel all the way to get it to Ethiopia by a significant number of days,” he said.   Brook also highlighted the large number of trucks currently used to transport petroleum products along the Djibouti-Ethiopia corridor. He said around 35 percent of the trucks operating on the corridor are transporting petroleum products, amounting to more than 1,000 vehicles a day. According to Brook, this contributes to congestion and high carbon emissions along the corridor and is one of the reasons Ethiopia is seeking to shift petroleum transportation toward pipeline infrastructure. Brook said the project would provide both direct and indirect revenue and economic benefits. “There are two important revenue streams,” he said. “One is the direct income that will generate as a result of using the pipeline and the tank farm.” He said the second benefit would come from efficiency gains across the economy. Brook explained that companies using diesel, benzene and other petroleum products would benefit from lower costs and improved competitiveness as transportation becomes more efficient. He said Ethiopian Investment Holdings will participate in the investment as an equity partner alongside the Dangote Group and will represent the government's interests in the project.   The Ethiopian Investment Holdings CEO said the pipeline project is part of a broader effort to ensure that different products are matched with the most appropriate form of transportation. “The fundamental understanding now when it comes to logistics is unless otherwise you build the right type of infrastructure, unless otherwise you develop and match the product type with the right type of logistics and transportation model, your economy will lag and your competitiveness will be reduced,” Brook said.

By Henok Tadele Haile Sept. 25, 2026 (ENA) The Horn of Africa is on the cusp of a significant transformation, driven by a new 660 million USD infrastructure project. This project promises to revolutionize the way Ethiopia receives, stores, and distributes petroleum products. At the heart of this project is a 120-kilometer refined petroleum pipeline linking Damerjog in Djibouti with Dewele in Ethiopia. The project is expected to reduce the journey time for fuel from five days to just one day, significantly improving the efficiency of fuel distribution in the region. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed noted: "Ethiopia, Djibouti and the Dangote Group will develop a 120-kilometer pipeline connecting Demerjog to Dewele with more than 1 million cubic meters of combined storage capacity at the two ends."   The storage infrastructure is substantial, with 375,000 cubic meters at Damerjog and 875,000 cubic meters at Dewele. Dr. Brook Taye, CEO of Ethiopian Investment Holdings, explained, "The Dewele depot will play a dual role - first, it gives Ethiopia a major strategic reserve within our borders capable of sustaining the country for months; second, because it connects directly with our railway line, fuel distribution will occur via rail in addition to trucks, significantly cutting transit friction and overall transport costs."   The project is a result of a partnership between Ethiopian Investment Holdings and the Dangote Group, with an estimated investment cost of USD 660 million. The partnership reflects a broader approach to using public assets and strategic investment to attract capital, technology, and management expertise. Aliko Dangote, the founder of the Dangote Group, has been a key player in this partnership, bringing his expertise and resources to the table. The economic interdependence between Ethiopia and Djibouti is growing, with Djibouti providing Ethiopia with its principal maritime gateway and strategic access to international trade routes.   This partnership is a prime example of how regional integration can create mutually beneficial opportunities for economic growth and development. The two countries are working together to create a more integrated and connected economy, with the pipeline project being a key component of this effort. At the inauguration speech, President Ismail Omar Guelleh of Djibouti emphasized the importance of regional integration, saying, "We are committed to working together with our Ethiopian counterparts to create a more integrated and connected economy. This pipeline project is a key component of this effort, and we believe it will have a significant impact on the regional economy."   He also noted: "The development of our infrastructure is crucial to our economic growth, and we are working tirelessly to create a more favorable business environment." President Guelleh also highlighted the potential benefits of the project, saying, "This pipeline will not only reduce the journey time for fuel, but it will also create new opportunities for trade, investment, and economic growth. We believe that this project will be a game-changer for our region, and we are committed to seeing it through to completion." The project will have a significant impact on the regional economy, creating new opportunities for trade, investment, and economic growth. According to Aliko Dangote's vision, infrastructure gaps limit industrial growth and discourage investments. However, he views these gaps as an opportunity to build the foundations for economic transformation. With infrastructure, industry can thrive, jobs are created, and prosperity flows. In conclusion, the 660 million USD petroleum project is a significant development that promises to transform the economic landscape of the Horn of Africa. The project will create a new economic geography, connecting Djibouti's maritime gateway with Ethiopia's inland economy, and demonstrate how infrastructure can turn regional integration into a business reality.   Key Benefits of the Project Key Benefits of the Project includes reduced journey time for fuel from five days to one day, improved efficiency of fuel distribution, increased storage capacity, with 1.25 million cubic meters of combined storage, creation of a multimodal supply chain, connecting ports, storage facilities, pipelines, railways, and markets and enhanced economic interdependence between Ethiopia and Djibouti. The project is expected to be completed within two years, and its success will depend on the ability of the partners to deliver on their commitments. As Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said, "Announcements create expectations; delivery earns trust. We must now turn this commitment into a working pipeline." If delivered as planned, the project will have a lasting impact on the region, driving economic growth, and promoting regional integration. Future Prospects The project has the potential to create a new economic geography in the Horn of Africa, connecting Djibouti's maritime gateway with Ethiopia's inland economy. This will create new opportunities for trade, investment, and economic growth, and demonstrate how infrastructure can turn regional integration into a business reality. The success of the project will also depend on the ability of the partners to attract new investments, and to create a favorable business environment.   Regional Integration The project is part of a larger effort to promote regional integration in the Horn of Africa. The region has significant potential for economic growth, with a large and growing market, and abundant natural resources. However, the region also faces significant challenges, including infrastructure gaps, and limited economic diversification. The project will help to address these challenges, by creating a new economic geography, and promoting regional integration.

By Al-Aghbari (Djibouti) from POA On Thursday, in Djibouti's Damerjog Industrial Park, , Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh and Aliko Dangote of the Nigerian billionaire laid the foundation of a 160 million USD fuel storage and pipeline project. This was not a groundbreaking. It was a declaration. Ethiopia and Djibouti are not neighbors who trade. They are partners bound by something deeper — an organic economic relationship inseparable from the survival and prosperity of both nations. No unfounded allegation, from any partial source, can undo what was sealed today. A Bond Written in Necessity More than 95% of Ethiopia's petroleum products pass through Djibouti. More than 70% of Djibouti's electricity flows from Ethiopia. In 2025 alone, 4.23 million metric tonnes of refined fuels crossed Djiboutian soil bound for Ethiopian markets. This is not commerce. It is symbiosis. When Djibouti's port breathes, Ethiopia's economy inhales. When Ethiopia's turbines turn, Djibouti's homes illuminate. Such a bond is not renegotiated at will. It is lived — daily, by millions on both sides of the border. What Was Laid Today Eighty hectares. 375,000 m³ of storage. 5 million tonnes of annual transit. A 120-kilometre pipeline carrying Jet A-1, Gasoil, and Essence from Damerjog to Dawanleh. It will complement road and rail, not replace them. It will cut corridor logistics costs by 10 to 30%. It will remove nearly 1,000 tanker journeys from the roads each day. It will spare the atmosphere 15,000 to 20,000 tonnes of CO₂ a year. It will create up to 1,200 direct jobs at peak construction, and 110 to 120 permanent ones after. These are not abstractions. They are the measurable pulse of a partnership that delivers. The Facts Outlast the Rumours There are voices — partial, ill-informed, or both — that whisper of imbalance, of dependency, of hidden designs. Their allegations collapse under the weight of the obvious. The benefits are not decreed from above. They are embraced below — by governments and populations alike. Visible in the fuel that reaches Ethiopian stations. In the current that lights Djiboutian homes. In the livelihoods created on both sides of the frontier. An organic bond is not severed by insinuation. It strengthens with every shipment, every project, every shared achievement. Today, it was strengthened again — in full view of the world. A Model, Not an Exception What Ethiopia and Djibouti are building is not merely a bilateral success. It is a template. At a moment when Africa is urged to deepen intra-continental trade and harden its supply chains, these two nations show what integration actually looks like when rooted in geography, necessity, and trust. Sovereignty and interdependence are not adversaries. National interest and regional cooperation can march together. Mutual benefit is not a slogan. It is a lived, measurable fact. The Stone That Answers Yesterday, three men laid a first stone. They did not simply inaugurate a project. They reaffirmed a bond. They answered — with deeds, not words — those who traffic in doubt. As President Guelleh declared: " Energy independence is the condition of every other independence. " This project is a brick in that sovereignty, transforming a shared vulnerability into a shared strength. The stone has spoken. Ethiopia and Djibouti are not merely neighbours. They are partners in destiny. Their ties are organic. Their gains are shared. Their future is one.

By Staff Writer As geopolitical and politico-military dynamics reshape the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea corridor, Ethiopia’s economic weight, strategic location and expanding regional engagement continue to make it a central actor in the region’s evolving balance. Ethiopia is undergoing a transformation that reaches far beyond economic growth. Across its economy, cities, digital infrastructure, environmental restoration, tourism, investment, energy and regional connectivity, the country is pursuing a broad development agenda aimed at reshaping its domestic foundations while expanding its role in the Horn of Africa and the wider continent. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, the government has placed economic reform, infrastructure development, digitalization, environmental restoration and regional integration at the heart of its development strategy. The transformation is unfolding against a complicated geopolitical backdrop. The Horn of Africa and the Red Sea corridor have become increasingly important arenas for global trade, maritime security, strategic competition and shifting political alignments. Conflicts and political transitions in neighboring countries, competition over strategic ports and shipping routes, and the growing involvement of external powers have further elevated the region's geopolitical importance. In that changing environment, Ethiopia’s sheer demographic and economic weight, geographic position and expanding infrastructure make its trajectory consequential well beyond its borders. The question is therefore not simply how rapidly Ethiopia is growing. It is how the country's economic transformation, technological modernization, environmental agenda and search for deeper regional connectivity could reshape its position in a strategically vital part of Africa. Growth as the Foundation of Transformation Ethiopia’s economic reform program has become one of the central pillars of this transformation. The government has pursued a series of macroeconomic and structural reforms under the Homegrown Economic Reform agenda, seeking to move the economy toward greater private-sector participation, stronger exports, increased investment and a more market-oriented system. The government projects economic growth of around 10.2 percent for the current Ethiopian fiscal year, placing Ethiopia among the world's fastest-growing economies. Behind the headline figure is a broader structural effort. Infrastructure investment, agriculture, manufacturing, services, trade and construction are increasingly interconnected within a development strategy designed to expand productive capacity and create new economic opportunities. The reform process has also sought to address longstanding macroeconomic challenges, including foreign-exchange shortages, inflationary pressures and limited private-sector participation. The significance of the reforms lies not only in short-term growth, but in the attempt to change the underlying architecture of the economy. Ethiopia is seeking to move from a predominantly state-led economic model toward one in which private investment, competition and market mechanisms play a larger role. This represents one of the most consequential economic shifts in the country's recent history. Cities as Engines of a New Ethiopia The transformation is perhaps most visible in Ethiopia’s cities. What began as a major corridor-development program in Addis Ababa has evolved into a broader urban-development drive extending to cities across the country. The initiative combines road and transport infrastructure with pedestrian corridors, public spaces, greenery, recreational facilities and other urban improvements. Addis Ababa has become the most visible expression of this transformation. The capital is simultaneously Ethiopia’s political center, a diplomatic hub hosting the African Union and numerous international institutions, and an increasingly important commercial and investment center. The broader objective is to create cities capable of supporting a rapidly growing population and an expanding economy. Urban development is consequently being treated not simply as beautification, but as an economic and social infrastructure strategy. The Digital Leap Another defining feature of Ethiopia’s transformation is the rapid expansion of its digital economy. For decades, many public and financial services depended heavily on physical documents, face-to-face transactions and cash. That is changing. Digital public services, mobile money, electronic payments and national digital identification are increasingly becoming part of everyday economic and administrative life. The government's Mesob one-stop digital service initiative represents this shift toward integrated public services, bringing multiple services together through digital platforms and expanding access beyond the capital. At the foundation of this emerging ecosystem is Fayda, Ethiopia’s national digital identification system. A reliable digital identity can support access to financial services, social protection, government services and a growing range of digital applications. Meanwhile, mobile-money adoption has expanded rapidly. More than 58 million Ethiopians are reported to be using mobile-money services, while digital payments have recorded significant increases. The importance of this transformation goes beyond convenience. Digitalization can reduce transaction costs, widen financial inclusion, improve access to government services and create new opportunities for businesses and citizens. For a country of Ethiopia’s size, that represents a potentially significant change in the relationship between the state, the economy and its citizens. Investment and Tourism: Unlocking Untapped Potential Ethiopia’s economic transformation is also increasingly linked to investment and tourism. The country combines a large domestic market, a young population, substantial agricultural potential, a strategic geographic location, unique cultural heritage and diverse natural landscapes. Government initiatives have sought to turn those assets into economic opportunities. Projects associated with Dine for Sheger, Dine for Nation and Dine for Generation have contributed to a broader effort to develop urban tourism, hospitality, recreation and cultural destinations. Ethiopia is simultaneously seeking to expand its tourism offering beyond traditional historical routes by developing natural, cultural and urban destinations. The objective is increasingly clear: tourism is being positioned not merely as a source of foreign exchange, but as part of a wider urban-development, employment and investment strategy. The same logic applies to investment. Economic reforms are intended to create greater space for private capital and international investors while infrastructure expansion seeks to improve the conditions for doing business. The challenge is converting Ethiopia’s enormous potential into sustained investment, competitive exports and productive employment. Green Legacy: Development with an Environmental Dimension Perhaps no initiative better captures Ethiopia’s attempt to connect development with environmental restoration than the Green Legacy Initiative. Launched in 2019, the program has mobilized millions of Ethiopians around large-scale tree planting and environmental rehabilitation. More than 56 billion seedlings have been planted since the initiative began. But the significance of Green Legacy extends beyond the number of seedlings. The initiative increasingly encompasses watershed protection, land rehabilitation, climate resilience, biodiversity and efforts to restore degraded landscapes. It has also become an important component of Ethiopia’s international climate diplomacy. For a developing country facing the effects of climate change while seeking rapid economic growth, the underlying proposition is significant: environmental restoration and economic development do not necessarily have to be competing objectives. Ethiopia is attempting to demonstrate that ecological restoration can itself become part of a national development strategy. Energy and Regional Integration Energy is another area where Ethiopia’s domestic transformation intersects directly with regional ambitions. With more than 95 percent of its electricity generated from renewable sources, Ethiopia is seeking to position itself as an important clean-energy producer in East Africa. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is central to that strategy. Beyond meeting domestic electricity needs, Ethiopia has increasingly emphasized the potential of cross-border electricity trade to support economic integration. Power interconnections with neighboring countries can create new markets for electricity while providing energy-deficient economies with access to renewable power. The broader vision is therefore regional. Ethiopia is seeking to build infrastructure that connects markets rather than simply serving national consumption. Roads, electricity networks, aviation, telecommunications and trade corridors can collectively create a more integrated regional economy. This is where Ethiopia’s development agenda intersects with its regional diplomacy. The Red Sea Quest Few issues demonstrate this intersection more clearly than Ethiopia’s pursuit of reliable maritime access. As one of Africa’s most populous countries and a major economy in the Horn of Africa, Ethiopia has repeatedly argued that dependable access to maritime trade routes is important for its long-term economic development and regional integration. The issue has acquired greater significance as the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden have become increasingly important to global trade and maritime security. For Ethiopia, maritime access is fundamentally connected to logistics, trade competitiveness and integration into international markets. For the region, Ethiopia’s maritime aspirations intersect with questions of port infrastructure, shipping routes, security and regional economic cooperation. The challenge is therefore not merely geographic. Ethiopia’s approach has increasingly emphasized diplomatic engagement and negotiated arrangements, while presenting maritime connectivity as part of a broader regional integration agenda. A Strategic Actor in a Changing Region The Horn of Africa is experiencing a period of profound geopolitical change. The Red Sea shipping corridor has become increasingly important to global commerce. Competition over ports and maritime infrastructure has intensified. External powers are expanding their diplomatic, economic and security engagement. At the same time, conflicts and political instability continue to affect the region. Against this backdrop, Ethiopia remains one of the region’s central actors. Its large population, expanding economy, strategic location, military and institutional capacity, diplomatic role and infrastructure ambitions give it considerable regional weight. That does not mean Ethiopia is insulated from regional pressures. Far from it. The country continues to confront complex security, economic and diplomatic challenges, while its development ambitions are sometimes unfolding amid competing regional interests. But Ethiopia’s response has increasingly centered on strengthening its own economic foundations while expanding connectivity with its neighbors. Growing with the Region At the heart of Ethiopia’s development strategy is an increasingly visible proposition: national prosperity and regional prosperity are interconnected. Energy corridors can connect power markets. Transport infrastructure can connect economies. Digital networks can connect people and businesses. Tourism can connect cultures. Maritime connectivity can connect landlocked economies to global markets. And regional trade can create opportunities that individual countries may struggle to generate alone. This explains why Ethiopia’s development agenda increasingly extends beyond its national borders. The country is seeking to grow not in isolation, but through deeper economic and infrastructure connections with the Horn of Africa, East Africa and the wider continent. Taken together, these developments point to something larger than a collection of individual projects. They represent an attempt to redefine Ethiopia’s economic foundations and its regional role simultaneously.

Addis Ababa, September 24, 2026 (ENA) —Dangote Group President and Chief Executive Aliko Dangote has outlined the company’s role in developing Africa's energy self-reliance, including the Ethiopia-Djibouti strategic infrastructure project announced today. Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony of the strategic project, Dangote said the project is intended to move petroleum products more efficiently while reducing reliance on long-distance road haulage. The project, which connects coastal storage at Damerjog in Djibouti with inland storage and distribution facilities at Dewele in Ethiopia, will combine a 120-kilometre multi-product pipeline with 400 million litres of storage capacity. “It will connect the marine and coastal storage facilities at Damerjog to the inland storage and distribution facilities at Dewele. A modern multi-product pipeline will receive, store, transport and distribute refined petroleum products. It will do so in a very safe, efficient and reliable manner, ” the CEO said. “In the first phase, the project will support the movement of key petroleum products. This includes jet fuel, automobile gas, and premium motor spirit, which will further strengthen supply and improve inventory management and strategic reserve stock. It will also reduce pressure on existing transport system.” Dangote stated that the project is intended to move petroleum products more efficiently while reducing reliance on long-distance road haulage. He said it would also create opportunities for local businesses and workers, from construction and supply services to permanent technical and administrative positions. The project will create jobs during the construction. It will also transfer skills to local people. It will also support permanent technical and administrative jobs when operations begin. Contractors, service providers, transport operators, suppliers and host community will benefit, the CEO elaborated. “This is Africa building the infrastructure it needs. It will help African economies trade more with one another. It will also allow us to process more what we produce while creating and retaining more value within the continent. It will also complement road haulage and drive improvements in safety and environmental management.” Dangote also used the occasion to outline his broader vision for African industrial development, saying the continent should rely more on its own investment, infrastructure and financial institutions. The Group’s investments across Africa are aimed at reducing dependence on imports and expanding local production, he said. As Africa’s leading industrial conglomerate, our investments across the continent are driven by a firm belief that Africans must take the lead in developing Africa. “We must understand the terrain, the challenges, the culture and the opportunities. We are committed to reducing Africa’s dependence on imports. We want our content to become more self-sufficient in finished goods. Manufacturing and infrastructure must remain the central of this transformation.” Dangote Group plans to continue investing in African industrialization under its Vision 2030 program, which, the CEO said is backed by 50 billion USD in planned investment across the continent. The Ethiopia-Djibouti project adds to Dangote Group’s growing industrial footprint in Ethiopia and its wider push to develop infrastructure and production capacity across Africa.