Friday June 6, 2025
Ethiopia and Kenya have agreed to deepen collaboration on infrastructural connectivity, socio-economic development, trade facilitation, and cross-border initiatives to accelerate regional integration and prosperity.
In a Joint Communique issued today, following the Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project dialogue held under the auspices of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the two nations outlined shared commitments.
According to the communique, the primary objectives include enhancing infrastructure linkages, advancing socio-economic development, facilitating trade, and promoting cross-border cooperation.
The dialogue is aligned with IGAD’s Vision 2050 and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework, ensuring coherence between national priorities and regional integration goals, it stated.Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to cross-border cooperation, peaceful dispute resolution through diplomacy, and strengthening multilateral responses to the infrastructure challenges facing the Horn of Africa.
According to the communique, key outcomes of the meeting included the decision to resume deliberations on the River Dawa Basin Development Initiatives under IGAD’s coordination, aiming to revive resource mobilization strategies to harness transboundary water resources for shared economic and social benefits.
The discussions were held in a spirit of mutual respect and a shared vision for sustainable peace, connectivity, and inclusive development, it stated, adding, both governments acknowledged the transformative potential of the Horn of Africa Development Initiatives to enhance the movement of goods, people, and digital services across their shared border.
As part of the agreement, Ethiopia and Kenya committed to supporting the construction of two bridges across the River Dawa at Rhamu and Suftu, envisioned as vital links that will facilitate not only transport but also community access to health care, education, and markets.
Additionally, the two nations pledged to operationalize One-Stop Border Posts at Rhamu and a Trade Facilitation Center at Suftu, which are intended to demonstrate IGAD’s commitment to the implementation of the AfCFTA by reducing border-crossing times, cutting transportation costs, and improving the competitiveness of regional goods in global markets.