Djibouti and Ethiopia Announce Strategic Petroleum Pipeline Project

Addis Ababa:Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh has emphasized the need for Africa to achieve greater self-reliance in energy and infrastructure. He highlighted the continent's need to reduce dependence on exporting raw resources and importing refined products.According to Ethiopian News Agency, Djibouti and Ethiopia have announced a significant infrastructure project to develop a refined petroleum products pipeline connecting Damerjog in Djibouti with Dewele in Ethiopia. This project, supported by storage terminals at both ends, is a collaboration between Ethiopian Investment Holdings and the Dangote Group. It aims to enhance energy security, decrease logistics costs, and improve the efficiency of the Ethiopia-Djibouti corridor.President Guelleh, speaking at the project's launch, pointed out that although Africa possesses substantial energy resources, it has long exported crude oil and imported refined fuel at externally determined prices. He asserted that this dependency is a choice that can be rever sed, emphasizing that energy independence is crucial for broader economic independence.The new project is more than just infrastructure, according to Guelleh. It forms part of a broader Pan-African vision where African energy is processed, transported, and supplied through African facilities and pipelines to serve African markets. The pipeline will feature a storage terminal with a capacity exceeding 375,000 cubic meters and the ability to handle five million tons of petroleum products annually.Guelleh noted the pipeline's potential to strengthen energy security, alleviate pressure on road corridors, reduce carbon emissions, and create opportunities for investment, job creation, skills development, and technology transfer. He also highlighted the importance of developing African expertise, stating that the young people managing the infrastructure must acquire necessary skills, as true independence requires self-maintenance capabilities.The partnership between Djibouti and Ethiopia, according to Guelleh, exemplifies how national strengths can bolster regional integration, linking Ethiopia's industrial potential with Djibouti's strategic port infrastructure. He called for support of the African Continental Free Trade Area through physical infrastructure such as corridors, ports, pipelines, and railways to realize the continent's single market potential.The project underscores a mutual vision for a more integrated, self-reliant, and economically connected Africa. Guelleh also noted that Dangote's investment demonstrates confidence in Djibouti and reflects a broader Pan-African vision where African private-sector actors collaborate with governments to build competitive infrastructure.