Ethiopia’s Push for Sea Access: A Path to Economic Growth, Regional Stability

July 16, 2025

Ethiopia’s drive to secure access to the sea has emerged as a central strategic priority not only for the country itself; but also for the broader Horn of Africa region and beyond.

As one of the most populous landlocked nations in the world, Ethiopia faces significant economic, logistical and geopolitical challenges that restrict its ability to fully engage in global markets. Despite achieving impressive economic growth and aspirations to become a regional powerhouse, the lack of a sovereign sea outlet continues to limit Ethiopia’s trade competitiveness by increasing transport costs, delaying cargo movement, increasing dependence on its coastal neighbors’ infrastructure and political goodwill. These challenges expose Ethiopia to persistent geopolitical vulnerabilities.

It is undeniable fact that the implications of this landlocked status are far-reaching, affecting the country’s economic resilience, political leverage, and national security dimensions. Ethiopia’s heavy reliance on a single primary trade corridor through Djibouti exposes it to being particularly susceptible to external shocks, regional instability and potential blockades that could disrupt the flow of goods and services. This dependence not only threatens supply chains but also undermines Ethiopia’s strategic autonomy and bargaining power in regional diplomacy and economic negotiations.

To overcome these challenges, the country is increasingly pursuing peaceful and collaborative efforts to secure alternative access to the sea, whether through negotiated port usage agreements, developing regional economic corridors, and/or deepening integration initiatives through multilateral partnerships.

For Ethiopia, access to the sea is more than an economic imperative. Equally, it is also a matter of existence, crucial for ensuring national security, safeguarding sovereignty, and securing long-term viability.

Furthermore, sea access can serve as a catalyst for regional interdependence, contributing to political stability, inclusive prosperity, and long term development across the Horn of Africa. Mainly in the current uncertain geopolitical landscape and in an increasingly volatile region marked by shifting regional alliances and potential political disruptions, securing independent sea access is not only necessary but also mandatory for Ethiopia. It is essential to enhancing strategic autonomy, safeguarding sovereignty and protecting long-term national interests.

As international law affirms, landlocked countries possess the right to access the sea through the territories of coastal states. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) guarantees that landlocked nations are entitled to unhindered transit of goods and people without undue restrictions. It also compels coastal states to facilitate such access and where appropriate extend preferential treatments to landlocked neighbors regarding customs duties, infrastructure access, and transit services.

Within this legal and normative framework, Ethiopia’s quest for access to the sea is a justified and pressing national priority. It is not only grounded in established international law and supported by standard, but also driven by both economic rationale and geopolitical necessity.

Indeed, in recent months, Ethiopia’s peaceful pursuit of sea access has gained increasing recognition and backing from global actors, including France, reflecting that sea access is vital for both Ethiopia’s development.

As repeatedly stated, Ethiopia’s path to the sea access is not through coercion or confrontation. Rather, it is anchored on legality, diplomacy, mutual respect and in line with international legal principles that can transform a geographic challenge into a shared regional strength.

Thus, by prioritizing collaboration over rivalry, Ethiopia advances its ambition of securing sea access through cooperative beneficial transit agreements, strengthened regional integration, and the promotion of broader economic development—all consistent with international law, which reinforces the legitimacy of its aspirations.

THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD WEDNESDAY 16, July 2025