The Ethio-Kenya road expands Ethiopia’s port options

The recently inaugurated Ethio-Kenya Expressway, which is part of the African Continental Highway, will expand Ethiopia’s port options.

The construction of a 500-kilometer road from Hawassa to Moyale on the Ethiopian side and a 503-kilometer road from Isiolo to Moyale on the Kenyan side was completed by Prime Minister Abi Ahmed and Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta.

As part of the African Highway, the road connects Addis Ababa with Cairo, Gaborone, Cape Town and Kenya-Mombasa, and connects South Sudan to Kenya’s Lamu port.

Temesgen Yehune, a logistics expert with the Logistics Transformation Transformation Office of the National Logistics Council, told ENA that the road will not only benefit trade, investment, public relations but also increase Ethiopia’s bargaining power through port use.

Upon completion, the road will be used to use the Lamu port, which can accommodate 32 ships at a time.

He said the port is of great importance to facilitate export and import trade, especially in southern Ethiopia.

He said the time and money will be reduced as it is a good option especially for the industrial villages of Hawassa, Yirgalem and Yabelo.

He said the construction of the road will increase Ethiopia’s bargaining capacity as an alternative to transport and port tariffs.

He said in addition to enhancing Ethiopia’s trade ties with Kenya, it will also serve as a major corridor for the supply of its products to the world market.

He said the construction of the road has reduced the land transport journey, which used to take 3 days or more, to 10 and 8 hours.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Ambassador Dina Mufti on her part said Ethiopia and Kenya are keen to maintain peace and strengthen their strong political and economic ties.

Therefore, the Ethio-Kenya road is of great importance to facilitate Ethiopia’s export and import trade, he said.

According to Ambassador Dina, the desire and plan to make Moyale a local Dubai is underway.

He said the 500-kilometer road from Hawassa-Moyale and the joint checkpoint will eliminate customs, immigration, health and standards.

It is said to make the customs system clearer, simpler and more efficient.

This road, which is part of the Union’s Trans-Africa Highway planned to connect Africa, will also connect other African countries.