Ethiopian among Key Drivers of Africa’s Integration: Guinea-Bissau Cabinet Director for Ministry of Trade

Addis Ababa, November 22, 2025 (ENA) -- Ethiopian Airlines, which is the largest transport hub in Africa, is one of the key catalysts for the realization of AfCFTA and continental integration, according to Mamadjam Dinis Djalo, Guinea-Bissau's Cabinet Director for  Ministry of Trade.

In an exclusive interview with ENA, Djalo said the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is essential to integration.

Citing that Africa trades more with other parts of the world than within itself, he added that one of the main goals of the AfCFTA is to boost inter-African trade.

Energy and transport sectors are in this respect essential for the full implementation of the continental free trade area and move forward with a sound logistical base, Djalo elaborated.

According to him, Ethiopian airlines and ASKY in Lome are the best examples that make connections between African countries. But “we must do more,” he added.

Ethiopian Airlines is a major hub in Africa and a significant global air transport hub connecting the continent to the rest of the world.

Similarly, ASKY Airlines, which is based in Togo, operates its main hub out of the Gnassingbé Eyadéma International Airport.

The airline provides intra-African connectivity, flying to numerous countries in West and Central Africa, and connects those regions to the rest of the world through its partnership with Ethiopian Airlines, it was learned.

For Djalo, air transport, maritime transport, road transport and all kinds of transport must be developed and boosted in order to have a much better connectivity even to strengthen connection among people.

“We have to look at Africa as a whole as a unity. So, integration is essential for the advancement of our continent. The connectivity to logistics, transport and energy are fundamental for our integration.”

Furthermore, he commended the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam as a great example of infrastructure integration and realization of energy sovereignty in Africa.

Today’s economy is fueled by energy, integration and industry; and all that needs energy and technology to function, Djalo stressed, adding that it is essential that Africa builds upon energy infrastructure that can be beneficial to the entire continent.