East Africa: Ethiopia Reaffirms Commitment to Deeper Horn of Africa Integration

What the report says

Ethiopia has reiterated its support for deeper economic integration in the Horn of Africa, according to the Ethiopian News Agency via AllAfrica. State Minister of Trade and Regional Integration Tazer Gebregziabher made the remarks in Addis Ababa while speaking at the Horn of Africa Initiative Trade Ministers Meeting.

Tazer said Ethiopia sees regional integration as a key part of its development strategy and has been working with neighbors and partners to raise resources for trade corridors and infrastructure that can ease cross-border commerce. He also linked these efforts to Ethiopia’s wider domestic reform agenda, including steps to improve the business climate, modernize customs and trade systems, strengthen institutions and prepare for accession to the World Trade Organization.

Somalia’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Gamal Mohamed Hassan, who chaired the meeting, said the Horn’s location gives it major commercial importance because it connects Africa with the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean. He argued that the region’s trade potential remains underused and said the initiative should help close that gap.

The meeting is focused on speeding up the Horn of Africa Initiative’s trade agenda, based on work and consultations carried out since 2020. More broadly, the discussions reflect a regional push to improve connectivity, make transport corridors more efficient and strengthen economic ties among participating countries.