Securing Sea Access Legitimate Necessity to Drive Ethiopia's Economy: Professor Paa-Kwesi Heto

Addis Ababa, October 29, 2025 (ENA) – Securing sea access is a legitimate necessity for Ethiopia to drive its economic growth and to meet the rising demands of its growing population, Paa-Kwesi Heto, Visiting Professor of Soka University of American Graduate School and Project Policy Analyst for The Institute of Meaningful Engagement (TIME) at the University of California said.

The Visiting Professor told ENA that Ethiopia has a legitimate interest in securing sea access to foster economic growth and meet the increasing demands of its growing population.

According to him, the growth potential of Ethiopia would be hindered without reliable access to maritime routes for its exports and imports.

"Ethiopia has a legitimate need here," Heto said, adding that "the country cannot thrive without uninterrupted access to the sea."

He pointed out that while the demands of Ethiopia are valid, the approach it takes to secure this access will significantly impact regional stability.

Heto urged for a collaborative mindset among African nations, suggesting that sea access should be viewed as a shared resource that can benefit all countries involved.

The way Ethiopia wants to secure sea access needs to be through peaceful and win-win diplomatic principle, the Visiting Professor elaborated, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing dialogue and establishing mechanisms for harmonious cooperation with its neighbors.

In this respect, employing strategic approaches that integrate economic tools with geopolitical objectives would enhance the regional influence of Ethiopia and position the country as a key player in the region.

The current Ethiopian leadership initiatives such as the planned electricity exports related to dam projects exemplify this strategic thinking, he noted.

Heto underscored that the strategic approaches of Ethiopia can help achieve its geopolitical and regional objectives if utilized wisely.

Recall that Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed reaffirmed yesterday the determination of Ethiopia to pursue its rightful access to the Red Sea through legal and peaceful avenues, underlining the importance of collaboration with the brotherly Eritrean people.