Addis Ababa:_ Horn of Africa Vision Forum "HAPC",
Date: April 19, 2026
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed called for dialogue and mutual understanding among the countries of the region regarding Ethiopia’s right to a sea outlet, considering it an existential demand for a people with the highest population density in Africa.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed reaffirmed his country’s determination to secure a direct sea outlet through peaceful means, understanding the urgent need for it. In a television interview, he explained that the idea of Ethiopia remaining landlocked is impossible, describing Ethiopia’s lack of a sea outlet as a permanent and continuous obstacle to the country’s economic development and a weakening of its ability to compete in the global market.
“The main obstacle preventing Ethiopia from achieving self-sufficiency and competing in the global economy is its lack of ports.” Abiy Ahmed added.
The Prime Minister explained that Ethiopia is the most populous African country, and that remaining continuously isolated from sea outlets is unacceptable, considering it a fundamental issue that concerns the country’s economic fate and national interests.
Abiy Ahmed pointed out that his country is trying to take all measures to reduce dependence on and need for foreign ports, especially expanding the railway network, paving modern highways, and establishing logistics centers; noting that the only permanent solution is Ethiopia’s demand to obtain its own direct sea outlet.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed again urged dialogue and mutual understanding between the countries of the Horn of Africa and all African countries, and to consider this crucial issue fairly, stressing that working through cooperative arrangements would contribute to achieving common growth for all countries of the Horn of Africa.
