Ethiopia, South Sudan, Uganda, and Djibouti have signed a landmark agreement to operationalise the DESSU Corridor Management Authority, reshaping trade access to the Red Sea.
Transport ministers and senior officials from the four countries formalised the Memorandum of Understanding on Sunday, establishing the Djibouti–Ethiopia–South Sudan–Uganda (DESSU) Corridor as a strategic land bridge designed to ease trade flows across East Africa.
For Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Uganda — “three landlocked nations with rapidly expanding populations” — the initiative offers a structured gateway to global markets through the Port of Djibouti.
The agreement marks more than a transport upgrade. It establishes a unified corridor authority and One-Stop Border Posts (OSBPs) to reduce bureaucracy and cut delays that have long constrained regional commerce.
“Today, we don’t just move goods; we move toward a common future,” Alemu Sime (PhD), Ethiopia’s Minister of Transport and Logistics, said during the signing ceremony. “This landmark initiative transforms our shared vision of a seamless trade ecosystem into a powerful reality.
“This is more than transport; it is a commitment to brotherhood,” Sime added. “By linking our neighbours to the sea through the strategic ports of Djibouti, we are ensuring shared prosperity across our borders. This Authority will streamline trade, reduce costs, and unlock unprecedented economic opportunities for our rapidly expanding economy.”
From landlocked to land-linked
The corridor comes at a pivotal time for the region.
In December 2025, the African Development Bank approved $214.5 million for Phase II of the project, reinforcing investor confidence in its long-term viability.
Ethiopia and Djibouti have already accelerated upgrades to “the critical road and rail links” connecting the Ethiopian highlands to the Djiboutian coast.
For South Sudan, grappling with disruptions to traditional oil export routes via Port Sudan, the corridor offers a crucial alternative outlet. For Uganda, it provides a secondary access route beyond the Northern Corridor linking to Kenya’s Port of Mombasa.
Currently, more than 90% of Ethiopia’s trade flows through Djibouti, yet congestion at border crossings such as Galafi and Dewele has historically caused multi-day delays. By integrating customs systems and consolidating border procedures, the DESSU Authority aims to cut service costs and reduce transit times.
The impact will be measured not only in freight efficiency but in broader economic integration. Officials expect lower logistics costs to strengthen purchasing power and stimulate job creation across the corridor states.
As implementation begins, the Authority plans to establish a Transport Observatory to monitor cargo flows in real time. Member states are also expected to fast-track construction of “missing links,” particularly road networks connecting western Ethiopia to South Sudan’s Boma region and northern Uganda.
The DESSU Corridor aligns with the broader goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area, offering a model for regional integration that turns geographic constraints into a competitive advantage.
With the MoU signed and funding secured, the shift from “landlocked” to “land-linked” is no longer aspirational. For East Africa, it is now an operational strategy backed by institutions, infrastructure, and political will.
