Kenya and Ethiopia are speeding up a title deed to allow Ethiopia to own a berth in the Lamu port.
A space in the Lamu port would serve defence and strategic interests not available through its other ports.
Ethiopia has stake in other ports in the continent such as the Port of Djibouti, and the Port of Sudan. Furthermore, the country also invested $80 million in Somaliland’s port of Berbera.
SEE ALSO: Lamu Port’s first berth to open in October.
Kenya and Ethiopia have the longest-standing mutual defence pact, so our strategic interests have a long history and endure. With a title deed, we should be able not just to invest in Lamu, but more widely in Lapsset.
Ambassador Meles Alem
Besides, the port of Lamu would be critical to servicing the southern part of the country.
“Ethiopia is a country of 110 million people, and the Lamu port will be particularly critical for us in serving the southern part of our country,” Mr Meles continued.
Finally, a spot at the port will help hedge against strategic risks, allowing Ethiopia to establish a naval base. This is especially important given that the country is surrounded by 10 military bases in the Horn of Africa.
