Ethiopia Seeks Renewed Maritime Access to Red Sea for Economic and Security Interests
Ethiopia, a landlocked nation with a population exceeding 130 million and one of Africa's largest economies, is actively pursuing renewed access to the Red Sea. Historically connected to the Red Sea through trade and diplomacy, Ethiopia lost direct coastal access due to past political decisions. Currently, its international trade relies heavily on neighboring ports, particularly Djibouti, which the World Bank identifies as its primary maritime gateway. This dependence creates structural vulnerability, as disruptions along the corridor directly translate into higher logistics costs and economic pressure within Ethiopia. The country's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has emphasized that Ethiopia's desire for sea access is driven by geographic necessity, economic imperatives, and the need for diversified and sustainable maritime connectivity, rather than military expansion. The re-establishment of the Ethiopian Navy in 2018 further underscores this strategic shift towards maritime affairs.