By: Staff contributor
With a strong ambition to regional integration across economic, social, and political spheres, Ethiopia has carved several projects of continental values. And several of its projects have already begun bringing East African nations together. Its Grand power plant over the Nile River – known as the flagship project, is now almost complete and even before fully completed, it is interestingly connecting the horn through providing energy to neighboring countries. And when the dam is fully completed, it will not only provide East African countries with a reliable source of energy, but also open the door for the countries of the region to build a common economy.
East Africa is one of the regions in Africa with the highest energy shortages. Countries in the region are facing severe energy shortages and frequent power cuts imposing complications. Unless countries can improve the lives of their citizens through guaranteed power supply, their people would potentially be exposed to security problems, illegal migration, and terrorism.
Bearing this in mind, Ethiopia has made a number of concessions to Sudan; South Sudan and Kenya and is now supplying power to Djibouti .Also making arrangements to export electricity to Tanzania, Uganda and eventually to South Africa. This indicates that Ethiopia is playing an irreplaceable role in the economic independence of African countries, just as it has played a leading role in the liberation of Africa.
In addition to power supply, Ethiopia is also strengthening regional connectivity by exporting clean drinking water to neighboring countries, especially Djibouti. By constructing more than 258 km of water pipeline, Ethiopia is working to increase the daily supply of clean drinking water to Djibouti from 20,000 to 30,000 cubic meters to 100,000 cubic meters. This also indicates that Ethiopia is willing to strengthen regional connectivity by sharing its natural resources.
Ethiopia has also established a free trade zone in Dire Dawa to play its role in East Africa. This free trade zone will create a convenient environment for exporting goods to neighboring countries by integrating the dry port of Dire Dawa with international air, rail and road transport.
When wrapped up, Ethiopia is effectively implementing the task of strengthening regional integration, which is a major focus of the African Union’s Agenda 2063. This is particularly evident in the areas of energy supply, agricultural productivity, with a proven potential to export wheat to neighboring countries.