Wayne Lumbasi
Egypt is reportedly moving to help develop key seaports in Eritrea and Djibouti, a step that highlights Cairo’s growing strategic engagement in the Horn of Africa as tensions persist with Ethiopia over Nile water use.
The initiative is seen as part of Egypt’s broader effort to strengthen its regional position amid the unresolved dispute surrounding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). Egypt considers the dam a major threat to its water security, while Ethiopia views it as essential for economic development and energy generation. Negotiations between the two countries have repeatedly stalled, deepening mistrust and widening the diplomatic gap.
The planned developments are said to focus on Eritrea’s Assab port and Djibouti’s Doraleh port, both located along the Red Sea near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a vital corridor for global trade and energy shipments. The ports occupy strategically important positions, offering access to one of the world’s busiest maritime routes.
Djibouti plays a critical role in regional trade, particularly for landlocked Ethiopia, which depends on it for the bulk of its imports and exports. Greater Egyptian involvement in port infrastructure there could shift regional dynamics and provide Cairo with additional leverage in its dealings with Addis Ababa.
The move also reflects a wider trend in regional diplomacy, where infrastructure investment and maritime access are increasingly used as tools of influence.
Egypt has been expanding its engagement across the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa, seeking to secure trade routes and reinforce its role in regional security. While official details remain limited, the reported port initiatives signal a new phase in the Nile dispute, extending competition beyond water negotiations into strategic partnerships and economic influence across the region.
REGIONAL DYNAMICS AT THE HORN OF AFRICA
EGYPT RENEWS WARNING AS ETHIOPIA’S MEGA-DAM THREATENS NILE WATER SECURITY
ETHIOPIA OFFICIALLY UNVEILS AFRICA’S LARGEST HYDROELECTRIC DAM AMID CELEBRATION AND REGIONAL TENSIONS
