@IGADSecretariat – Ethiopian Business Review

Ethiopia and Uganda have elevated their bilateral relations to unprecedented levels with the signing of eight comprehensive cooperation agreements during the 4th Joint Ministerial Commission session in Addis Ababa, according to an exclusive report by Soft Power News. The landmark agreements, covering aviation, energy, water resources, and agriculture among other sectors, establish a new framework for enhanced economic integration between the two nations.

The aviation sector emerged as a major beneficiary, with three distinct agreements including a Bilateral Air Services Agreement that promises to revolutionize regional connectivity. Other significant MoUs address industrial cooperation, energy collaboration, and technical exchanges in agriculture and fisheries – each designed to create tangible economic benefits for both countries.

Dr. Gedion Timotheos, Ethiopia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, framed the agreements as critical tools for addressing shared challenges. “From Nile water management to regional security through IGAD, these accords strengthen our capacity to solve transnational issues,” he remarked. The minister emphasized the potential for joint infrastructure projects and knowledge transfers to accelerate economic development.

Uganda’s Foreign Minister, Hon. Gen. Odongo, characterized the session as a “strategic leap forward” rather than mere diplomatic routine. Noting the six-year interval since the last JMC, Odongo revealed that technical teams had been working throughout the period to prepare the ground for these ambitious agreements. “We’re not just maintaining relations – we’re building an economic bridge between East Africa’s hinterland and the Horn,” he stated.

In 2024, trade volume between Ethiopia and Uganda reached USD 5.46 million. Dr. Kassahun Gofe, Ethiopia’s Minister for Trade and Regional Integration, said the new agreements would deepen the existing friendship between the two nations and upgrade their trade cooperation framework.

Dr. Kassahun also highlighted that the MoUs will boost efforts to expand market share, strengthen private sector collaboration, and create a more conducive environment for doing business. He further noted that the two countries have agreed to cooperate on trade promotion, exchange of trade-related information and technologies, and support regional economic integration efforts.

Importantly, both nations have also committed to working together in mobilizing regional trade and investment potential through the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), signaling their intent to play a leading role in broader continental integration.

The Ethiopian Embassy in Djibouti has announced that the Tana Nesh Ferry has set sail on its inaugural journey from Dorale Ferje-Bezou Port in Djibouti to Gorgora in Ethiopia.

The 38-meter vessel, with a capacity for 200 passengers, represents a significant investment in regional infrastructure. Its journey along the Dikil-Galafi route is expected to take approximately seven days, with arrival in Gorgora, Ethiopia, anticipated within three months.

The embassy emphasized the comprehensive safety measures implemented for this historic crossing, including the deployment of two tugboats and technical support teams. Special arrangements have been made to manage electrical infrastructure along the route, ensuring safe passage.

The Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) announced that it is supplying 265 megawatts of electricity per day to Kenya under the power sales agreement between the two nations.

The 500 kV Ethio-Kenya Converter Station, a critical infrastructure project in East Africa’s energy landscape, is playing a pivotal role in strengthening cross-border power connectivity.

According to Mekonnen Kassie, a maintenance and operations specialist at the station, the facility receives electricity from Wolayta Sodo Substation No. 2 through four 400 kV incoming lines. It then transmits power via 12 converter transformers and 1,680 thyristors, ensuring a steady and efficient flow of electricity to Kenya.

The station operates with two high-voltage direct current (HVDC) poles, each with a capacity of 2,000 megawatts, and facilitates power transmission through a 1,600-kilometer line stretching from Ethiopia to Kenya.

Under the current power sales agreement, Kenya receives 200 megawatts of electricity for 18 hours daily, up until 6 p.m., followed by an additional 65 megawatts for the remaining six hours.

With the capacity to scale up supply, the station is also preparing to support planned power transmission to Tanzania. The broader vision includes expanding Ethiopia’s role in the continental energy market by facilitating power exports to other countries.

To sustain and enhance its contribution, the station is undergoing various capacity-building and infrastructure improvements, aligning with Ethiopia’s long-term strategy to become a regional energy hub.

In a concerted effort to improve maritime safety and security in the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, maritime authorities and rescue coordination centers are ramping up regional collaboration with the support of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). A recent Regional Search and Rescue (SAR) Workshop held in Mombasa, Kenya, from February 24-28, 2025, focused on enhancing the search and rescue capabilities of countries in the region, including Ethiopia, as they work together to tackle maritime challenges.

The workshop brought together 17 officers, radiocommunication experts, marine engineers, and Port State Control officers from Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen to discuss best practices, challenges, and the latest developments in SAR operations. Among the key topics were advancements in SAR procedures, modern equipment, and updates to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) regulations, specifically the modernization of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), which incorporates new mobile satellite services.

Ethiopian representatives at the workshop actively participated in discussions aimed at strengthening coordination in maritime rescue operations across the region, reinforcing the country’s commitment to improving its maritime safety standards. This workshop is part of the EU-funded Red Sea Project, which partners IMO with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), INTERPOL, and IGAD to support the capacity-building efforts of participating countries.

The initiative is aligned with Africa’s 2050 Integrated Maritime Strategy (AIMS), which aims to enhance regional cooperation, ensure maritime domain awareness (MDA), and promote safer, more secure maritime activities in the Red Sea and surrounding areas. By strengthening the capacities of port and land-based law enforcement authorities, the Red Sea Project ensures Ethiopia and its neighbors are better prepared to implement global maritime safety and security standards, ultimately fostering a more unified and secure maritime environment.

Eight Strategic Deals Launch New Chapter in Ethiopia-Uganda Relations

Ethiopia and Djibouti Open New Maritime Route with 200-Passenger Ferry Service

EEP Supplies 265MW to Kenya Daily

Ethiopia Takes Key Steps in Enhancing Maritime Security in the Red Sea