Ethiopia and Djibouti Agree to Advance Transportation and Logistics Cooperation

Addis Ababa, March 7, 2023 (FBC) – A delegation led by the FDRE Minister of Transport and Logistics, Dr. Alemu Simie, concluded a working visit to Djibouti from March 4–7, 2023, aimed at enhancing cooperation between the two countries in the transportation and logistics sectors.

The Minister of Transport and Logistics met with Ismail Omar Guelleh, the President of Djibouti, to discuss issues of mutual benefit, including the crucial need to complete the Dikil-Galafi road to ensure smooth circulation of vehicles and cargo before the rainy season, and reached an agreement.

In addition to the meeting with the President of Djibouti, Dr. Alemu Simie also held discussions with Hassan Houmed Ibrahim, the Minister of Infrastructure and Equipment of Djibouti, and Abubakar Omar Hadi, the President of the Djibouti Ports and Free Zones Authority (DPFZA).

The series of discussions emphasized the importance of completing the route between Dikil and Galafi to enable seamless transportation of vehicles and freight. They also focused on speeding up the construction of a 35-kilometer road between Galamo and Moloud, as well as connecting Horizon Oil Terminal in Djibouti and the Awash Depot in Ethiopia to the Ethio-Djibouti railway to reduce multifaceted obstacles such as prices and transit periods for oil products.

The Ethiopian delegation also discussed the importance of constructing a conveyor belt to connect the Doraleh Multi-Purpose Port’s key side and silo to the rail line in accordance with the previous agreement reached to ensure effective bulk cargoes such as fertilizer.

Before concluding the visit, the delegation visited several key locations in Djibouti, including the Damerjog Industrial Park, the Red Sea World, Djibouti’s international exhibition center, the DPFZA, and port facilities.

This visit highlighted the significant role that Ethiopia and Djibouti are set to play in advancing economic integration by facilitating a more efficient and effective system through improved infrastructure.