Washington, D.C. – April 23, 2025 — The Horn of Africa Initiative (HoAI) is advancing bold steps to unlock the region’s vast economic potential, as reaffirmed during its 24th Ministerial Meeting held in Washington, D.C. Finance Ministers from Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan reconfirmed their shared commitment to deepening regional trade and integration—a cornerstone for stability and shared prosperity.
To date, the Initiative and its development partners have mobilized or programmed approximately US$10 billion toward HoAI’s strategic pillars, underscoring the growing momentum for cross-border investment and connectivity.
Strengthening Regional Trade and Policy Reform
The meeting—co-chaired by Ethiopia’s Minister of Finance, H.E. Ahmed Shide; Ndiame Diop, Vice President Designate for Eastern and Southern Africa at the World Bank Group (WBG); and Amit Dar, Acting Vice President for Eastern and Southern Africa at the WBG—focused on advancing regional trade and trade facilitation policies, institutions, and reforms.
Building on extensive technical consultations, Ministers endorsed a short- to medium-term action plan featuring nine priority measures to accelerate cross-border commerce. This plan extends the existing three-year trade facilitation roadmap and lays the groundwork for a Horn of Africa Simplified Trade Regime and a Joint Ministerial Declaration establishing a Regional Trade Facilitation Committee.
Strong and Coordinated Partner Support
A message of optimism and steadfast collaboration resonated throughout the meeting, amplified by the voices of key development partners.
Birgit Pickel, Director-General for Africa at BMZ Germany; Nnenna Nwabufo, Vice President for Regional Development, Integration and Business Delivery at the African Development Bank (AfDB); Karolina Leib, Director-General for International Partnerships at the European Commission; and Alison Blackburne, UK Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, were among those reaffirming their institutions’ strong support for the Initiative.
From the World Bank Group, Ndiame Diop and Amit Dar emphasized the institution’s sustained engagement and commitment to supporting regional integration and trade competitiveness.
Observer partners—including H.E. Dr. Mohamed Abdi Ware, Deputy Executive Secretary of IGAD, and Vincent Spera, Deputy Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Department of State—echoed their support for the Initiative’s regional vision. The World Trade Organization (WTO) also highlighted ongoing progress in Ethiopia and Somalia’s accession processes, emphasizing the value of aligning regional trade reforms with multilateral frameworks.
Leadership Transition and Shared Vision Forward
A symbolic highlight of the meeting—featured in the HoAI video—was the handover of the HoAI Chairmanship from Ethiopia to Somalia. Outgoing Chair H.E. Ahmed Shide, Minister of Finance of Ethiopia, formally passed the mantle to H.E. Bihi Iman Egeh, Minister of Finance of Somalia, with acknowledgment from Ndiame Diop, WBG Vice President Designate for Eastern and Southern Africa.
The video concludes with a ceremonial gift exchange between the two Ministers, capturing the spirit of collaboration and seamless leadership transition.
Looking Ahead
In his remarks, Minister Bihi Iman Egeh expressed appreciation for Ethiopia’s leadership and underscored the importance of deepening policy actions, accelerating project implementation, and sustaining resource mobilization.
“The Horn of Africa Initiative stands as a powerful model of country-driven cooperation and regional solidarity,” Minister Egeh stated. “We will continue to work together to deliver tangible results for our people through stronger trade, connectivity, and shared economic growth.”
The HoAI remains a country-led platform with effective governance and strong partner coordination—laying the groundwork for deeper economic interconnection and resilience across the Horn of Africa. The next Ministerial Meeting is scheduled for July 2025, where Ministers and partners will review progress and set the course for the next phase of regional integration.