ADDIS ABABA, June 5, 2025 — Senior government officials from Kenya and Ethiopia convened in Addis Ababa to accelerate progress on the Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project (HoAGDP)—a transformative regional initiative designed to enhance infrastructure, cross-border trade, and digital connectivity.
Ethiopia was represented by H.E. Ahmed Shide, Minister of Finance, while Kenya’s delegation was led by Hon. Cyrell Odede Wagunda, Principal Secretary for the State Department for Investment and Assets Management at the National Treasury. The meeting focused on aligning national priorities to boost trade, digital access, and development opportunities for border communities.
- The bilateral engagement between the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Republic of Kenya, convened under the auspices of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) at Skylight Hotel, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
- The main objectives are to enhance infrastructural connectivity, socio-economic development, trade facilitation and cross-border development between Ethiopia and Kenya.
- The meeting was attended by Senior Government Officials from both countries. The Ethiopian delegation was led by H.E. Ahmed Shide, Minister of Finance of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia while the Kenyan delegation was led by Hon. Cyrell Odede Wagunda, Principal Secretary for State Department for Investment and Assets Management of the National Treasury of the Republic of Kenya. Also in attendance was H.E. Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu (PhD), Executive Secretary of IGAD.
- The meeting emphasized the critical importance of strengthening multilateral responses to cross-border connectivity challenges confronting the Horn of Africa. The dialogue was conducted within the framework of IGAD’s Vision 2050 and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) implementation, ensuring alignment between national infrastructure priorities and regional integration objectives.
- The dialogue reaffirmed mutual commitment to cross-border cooperation, trade facilitation, and peaceful resolution of challenges through diplomatic means.
- The meeting agreed on resumption of deliberations on the River Dawa Basin Development Initiatives, under the auspices of IGAD, to revive the resource mobilization plan to harness transboundary water resources for the shared economic and social benefits of our communities.
- The discussions were conducted in the spirit of mutual respect, shared commitment to regional integration, and collective responsibility for advancing sustainable peace, connectivity, and inclusive development.
- The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Republic of Kenya resolved as follows;
- The Horn of Africa Development Initiatives are transformative programs to improve movement of goods, people, and digital services across the Ethiopian-Kenyan border.
- Committed to support the construction of two bridges across River Dawa (Rhamu and Suftu), as passage of hope that will not only carry vehicles but also convey the aspiration of underserved communities to access healthcare, education, and markets.
- One-Stop Border Post (OSBP) at Rhamu and Trade Facilitation Center at Suftu will be operationalized as a demonstration of IGAD’s commitment to operationalization of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement through strengthening seamless trade between Ethiopia and Kenya by reducing border-crossing times, reducing transport costs and making regional goods more competitive in international markets.
- Both States committed to complete the cross border fiber optic connectivity, improve cross border digital services, enhance access to digital jobs and emerging technology.
- Finalization of the draft bilateral agreement between Ethiopian and Kenya authorities on cooperation and mutual assistance on Customs matters and other enabling legal frameworks at the earliest opportunity. Noted the importance of consensus on the location for One-Stop-Border-Post arrangements at Rhamu, Trade Facilitation Centre at Suftu, access roads for the bridge approaches at Rhamu and Suftu, associated bridge construction at Rhamu and Suftu and optic fiber “meet me” points.
- Acknowledging IGAD’s role, as one of the Regional Economic Communities of the African Union, to model regional integration and cooperation.