Ethiopian expert: Addis Ababa–Djibouti railway has become an economic corridor

“No other initiative in the world is comparable to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) for Ethiopia. We gain significantly from our involvement in BRI due to a genuine need for infrastructure now and in the foreseeable future. BRI has played a crucial role in facilitating the construction of vital infrastructure in Ethiopia, contributing enormously to the country’s rapid economic growth. Looking ahead, Ethiopia plans to continue participating in the collaborative development of the initiative,” said Dareskedar Taye, director general of the Asia and Pacific Directorate at the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a recent interview with Guangming Daily.

Noting Ethiopia’s sluggish economy prior to 2000, Taye highlighted the transformative role of China in driving Ethiopia’s growth, especially from 2003-2004 onward when significant progress became evident. During the period of 2002 to 2010, China actively promoted the infrastructure in Ethiopia. Taye shared a personal connection, mentioning a road near his hometown in northwest Ethiopia, connecting Bahir Dar and Debre Markos, which was constructed by Chinese companies. This experience allowed him to witness the dedication of Chinese companies to the local community. He observed that Chinese employees adopted a down-to-earth lifestyle, embracing local food and working longer hours than the locals. This firsthand experience left Taye impressed with the substantial contribution of Chinese companies to Ethiopia’s economic development.

Taye highlighted Ethiopia’s immense infrastructure needs and its limited capital and technology. Joining the Belt and Road Initiative in 2018 significantly deepened cooperation with China, making China Ethiopia’s largest investor and trading partner. Taye congratulated the Initiative on its 10th anniversary, acknowledging its role in establishing a fair global order. He emphasized how the Initiative strengthens ties between China and Ethiopia, fostering both commercial and political collaboration. Taye underscored BRI’s role in promoting connectivity, integration, and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two nations.

According to Taye, BRI brought significant projects like the Addis Ababa City Light Railway and Addis Ababa–Djibouti Railway, the latter successfully replaced an outdated railroad, with China deeply involved from investment to operation. The Addis Ababa–Djibouti Railway serves as a vital link connecting key cities and markets. This railway has opened a crucial sea corridor for Ethiopia, fostering economic development in cities along its route. Dire Dawa, located along the railway and home to Ethiopia’s first free trade zone, declined due to worsened railway capacity despite being once a business hub half a century ago. Today the city has experienced revitalization, marked by rapid population growth and the emergence of industrial parks. Taye emphasized that the AJR has essentially become an economic corridor. Moreover, BRI has strengthened bilateral relations and political trust, illustrated by China’s support for Ethiopia’s membership in the BRICS cooperation mechanism. Taye expressed hope for the maintenance of friendly relations and the deepening of mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries going forward.

Regarding the recent Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, Taye emphasized Ethiopia’s crucial role as one of the key participants of BRI in Africa. He noted that the Forum has significantly advanced cooperation between Ethiopia and China in both bilateral and multilateral dimensions. Taye suggested that, to get further involved in the construction of the BRI, the Ethiopian government should focus on improving the investment and overall business environment. This improvement, he believes, will create a more favorable atmosphere for foreign investors, especially Chinese investors doing business in Ethiopia.