Ethiopia, Djibouti and South Sudan reached an agreement to partner in infrastructure development. The tripartite agreement includes the construction of telecom, railway, oil pipeline networks as well as duty free zones linking the regional economy.
The agreement was signed by Sufian Ahmed, Ethiopian Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh, Djiboutian Minister of Economy and Finance and Kosti Manibe Ngai, South Sudanese Minister of Finance and Economic Planning at the Sheraton Hotel in the Ethiopian capital.
Railway networks will connect the three countries while Ethiopia and Djibouti extend the existing telecom connections to South Sudan according to the agreement.An oil pipeline from oil producer South Sudan will travel to Djibouti through Ethiopia with a duty free zone enhancing the aim for regional economic integration.
The agreement between the three countries will help other members of the Eastern African Intergovernmental Authority on Development to achieve economic integration according to Dawaleh.
The aim of the tripartite agreement is part of the larger vision to integrate African economies in general he noted.
It is expected that this arrangement will change the history of conflict and poverty that has characterized the region to one of cooperation and prosperity said Dawaleh.
A panel of experts formed by representatives from the three countries is expected to launch the implementation of the agreement.
Source: Capital
