Ethiopia, Eritrea and a Case for West African Economic Integration

Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia in the 1990s, leaving Ethiopia landlocked despite its much larger population and economy. I believe coastal access should be managed through fair regional agreements that prevent port states from exploiting landlocked neighbours. Under this approach, Ethiopia-bound goods should face no discriminatory tariffs, while Eritrea can charge reasonable fees for port handling and related services. Ethiopian freight firms could also operate on the Eritrean coast while paying applicable local taxes. I think West Africa can learn from this. ECOWAS should deepen customs cooperation, improve access to territorial waters for hinterland countries, and consider stronger monetary integration so that no member state is disadvantaged by geography.

Use The App To Win ₦1m

Stories are shared by community members. This article does not represent the official view of NaijaWorld — the author is solely responsible for its content.