| In chapter one introduction of the thesis Ethiopia, the peace full and politically stable country in the Horn of Africa, has been one of the fastest growing economics in the word for the last two consecutive decades. In realizing its development dreams, the country aspires to create conducive regional environment where its growth positively spillovers to its neighbors. Thus, it has been striving to link its development initiatives with the regional economic integrations needs.The essence of this research, therefore, is to analyze the efforts made by Ethiopia to enhance regional economic integration among Eastern African countries, mainly its neighbors. Our neighbors in the Horn of Africa are South Sudan, Kenya, the Sudan, Somalia, Djibouti, and Eritrea.To this end, I would argue that they must enhance their efforts and Ethiopia should further reinforce its ongoing endeavors in interconnecting the region through infrastructure networks. This in turn plays as pacifying role to one of the most unstable region of the world Horn of Africa. Without favorable infrastructure network among the neighbors’ countries in the region, rapid and sustainable economic growth extremely difficult, if not impossible, for infrastructure is blood vessel for economic integration among these states.The Statement of the problem of this thesis, Ethiopia is exerting its maximum efforts to stabilize the region thereby boost regional economic integration, mainly through infrastructure networks. Realizing the importance of mutual benefit from its rapid and sustainable growth but yet infant economy, the country has been planning its level best to create conductive environment to the development efforts of its neighbors, mainly through carrying out massive infrastructure development networks. Hence, the prime motives of the country’s effort in infrastructure network there by boost regional economic integration is primly consolidate and enhance long term dream ensure the Ethiopia renaissance.The main idea of Hypothesis, Ethiopia has inseparable link with its neighbors countries which its share common language, culture, religion and similar history. Hence, any change of Ethiopia directly affects its neighbors and vice versa. The country belief that regional economic integration among member of states boost mutual advantage the East Africa region and this in turn speed up realizing its long term dream emancipating its self from poverty and there by building prosperous nation. There for, the alpha and omega of Ethiopia infrastructure development effort in the region is primarily to enhance its rapid, sustainable and equitable economic growth which in turn is quite instrumental in achieving its renaissance.The main objective of this research is to analyze the efforts made by Ethiopia to enhance regional economic integration among East African countries, mainly its neighbors. In doing so, this thesis uncovers Ethiopia’s endeavors in speeding up its infrastructure development so as to create enduring links among its neighboring states.In chapter two review literatures of two main ideas what economic integration and East African regional economic integration endeavors? Economic integration has different result and effect with regional member of the states among them they have also linked the real world on the geography with the members the states. In fact, regional economic integration has been contributed to enhancing sustainable economic growth among member states. The final stage of economic integration of a given region ripens to economic union that in turn leads to integration in social, political and economic spheres as well. The best example for regional economic integration is the European Union member countries with strong institutional frameworks which eventually led them to form solid economic union.The East African regional economic integration endeavors, in relative terms, Eastern African countries(Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda) are in a better position than countries of the Horn in terms of communication links among member states. To fill this gap, Horn countries actually established an institution called Intergovernmental Authority on Development(IGAD) in the year of 1986 which currently consists of Ethiopia, Sudan, Kenya, South Sudan, Djibouti, Somalia Uganda and Eritrea. The organization was established to promote good neighborly relations, to resolve conflicts peacefully, and to foster strong economic ties between member countries.And thus, Eastern African infrastructure development in general and that of the Horn in particular remained poor; lack of adequate finance and lack of dependable peace and security being some of the prime challenges to realize effecting infrastructure link among member states. Of course, in relative terms, Eastern Africa has better infrastructure link than the Horn region though they don’t have overall agreement among all the 13 states.In Chapter three Ethiopia’s efforts in regional infrastructure development, in the case transport they have subtitle are road transport the main idea Ethiopia connection road with neighbors countries for exampleFirst, road connection Ethiopian with Sudan the two countries joint agreement improving regional integration because road transport is one of the back bones of economic integration for both countries. They have connected in three different place in the past 10 years.The first they are connected is Azezo –Metema road project which is 962 kilometers, Ethiopia is also connected with Sudan Gelabat –Gedadif road. The standard of the road was international high way road they are important for both countries. The second place they already connected Gondar-Humera 1020 kilometers. This road has 980 kilometers of the high way standard road but 40 kilometers only get access for two countries. The third area of connection AssosaKurmuk is 821 kilometers. The road is high way international standard type of road.Second, road connection Ethiopia from Addis Ababa to Moyale 905 kilometers connected with Kenya Mombasa Nairobi road. The type of road is high way international standard road. This road corridor connected with the capital city of Ethiopia Addis Ababa with Nairobi capital city of Kenya.The standard of the road are express highway type of road, those are also important corridors to link Easter Africa of Ethiopia with Kenya and they are link with East Africa connected10, 000 kilometers trans-Africa road Cairo of Egypt with South Africa.Third, road of Ethiopian with 850 kilometers connected to Djibouti.This road has high way standard connected the capital city of Ethiopia Addis Ababa with Djibouti port because this very important for Ethiopian import and export the main out let for Ethiopian development.Fourth, regarding the road connection with South Sudan, the two countries are connected from two areas. Frist Ethiopian connected with road transport Gambella Etang_Jikawo boma through 926 kilometers. And they are linked through 878 kilometers long Gembella Akobo Burbe road.And finally, Ethiopian is also connected with Somaliland through 937 kilometers long Jijiga_Togowichal road. However, there is no actual economic link between the two countries because of the political situation in Somalia.In Rail way transport infrastructure the rail way transport is by nature very important to convey huge amount import and export of cargos. The rail way transport is cost effective and time efficient means of transport. In fact, thus, the country has been constructing a railway network to link various parts of the country with Djibouti. 850 kilometers rail way infrastructure that connects Ethiopia with Djibouti. The 775 kilometers long Galafi-Awash-Mekelle railway that connects Mekelle to Tadjoua port of Djibouti is also under construction.In Air transport infrastructure the Ethiopian airline has been doing its best to connect not only East Africa countries but also the entire continent to the world and it is one of the top international carriers. It has been proudly flying over 92 international destinations.Communications Ethiopia has been connected with some of its neighbors such as Sudan, Kenya and Djibouti through optic fiber cables though the project is under construction yet. The government of Ethiopia has been building a 14,000 Kilometers national backbone network in five directions from the capital Addis Ababa. The north western fiber network has links to international fiber through Port Sudan. The southern link is expected to connect to the Moyale town to Kenya, and the Eastern route can connect Eastern through Djibouti. By and large, Ethiopia’s efforts in boosting telecom connections with its neighboring countries are helping the region to create better economic interdependence and this in turn enables the region to integrate with other parts of the continent and the Middle East as well.Electric power currently; Ethiopia has been playing its level best to export its electric power mainly to its neighboring states. Hence, it is stretching its transmission lines to destination states, mainly to Djibouti, Sudan and Kenya. The country agreed to sale 200 megawatts to the Sudan. Likewise, Ethiopia started selling 65 megawatts of power to Djibouti and 400 megawatts is being transmitted to Kenya. Besides, the country has been investing in building 1000 kilometers long transmission lines to East Africa to sale 2000 megawatts to different East African countries such as Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda, and South Sudan as well.In Chapter four Ethiopia’s roles in regional economic integration of East Africa they have three main ideas. Motivations behind these efforts are Ethiopia is one of the poorest nations in the world yet; the country with its limited resources has been discharging its own responsibilities to enhance economic integration of the East Africa. Moreover, the primary goal of Ethiopia’s infrastructure development projects is economic such as linking itself to its neighbors is mainly to have better access to ports of its neighbors and thereby facilitate people to people relations which in turn is very crucial in boosting strong societal and political ties among Easter African states and their peoples.Likewise, the country is investing in several infrastructure development schemes so as to export, such as its huge potential of renewable energy to its neighbors which they madly need it to enhance their development; and Ethiopia in turn madly needs the hard currency to maintain its rapid and sustainable economic growth which the country considers it as a matter of its security. That is why the country firmly belief that Ethiopia’s economic development can never be realized unless it makes sure that its neighbors are likewise, benefiting from its rapid growth even from the start and the motto is to swim or sink together.Second main idea are achievements of infrastructure development efforts, Ethiopia’s efforts in facilitating regional economic integration through infrastructure development efforts has been creating a kind of symbiosis economic interdependence mainly among its neighboring states which is instrumental in realizing its renaissance dream. The economic integration endeavor between Ethiopian and neighbors has different achievements. Both countries have linked through road networks, railways, telecommunication, air transport and electric power. The both countries are enjoying economic interdependence with their respective road accesses. Ethiopia has the largest out let port for import and export of its cargo. The highway that connected both countries enabled them access to any truck can easily free move from and to Ethiopia which benefit them both. The people to people relations of both countries have been solidified.This in turn has been widening and strengthening their deep-rooted historical ties. Even this is further consolidating by creating easy bus transport from Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia to Djibouti, Sudan and Kenya. Different Ethiopian regions also have direct bust transport to and from Djibouti,Sudan and Kenya as well. Ethiopian Airlines is also one of the most effective tools that have been enhancing people to people relations of the neighbor’s sisterly countries; Djibouti Airlines, Sudan airway and Kenya airways also regularly flies to Ethiopia.The connection of both countries through telecommunications has also been facilitating economic, social and overall relations of both. They have been starting easily exchange information and other necessary data as well. Generally, both Ethiopia with Djibouti, Kenya and Sudan have already linked through many ways and their people to people relation has been extremely improving over time where their ties are becoming strong and highly dependable.The main idea of the challenges, to begin with, since the country is one of the poorest countries in the world, it doesn’t have ample resources to launch several mega projects at a time; and thus, lack of adequate resources is one of the bottleneck challenges. Lack of institutional capacity is another challenge which the country has been facing so far through it has been improving through practice over time. The severe of these inadequacies can be manifested in contract management of these massive multimillion dollar projects.Corruption and poor governance are also other challenges of the sector. Besides, the availability of some insurgent groups though they are poor and weak also poses a challenge for in some cases international contractors hesitate to take part in peripheral areas of the country.Likewise, political instability of some of Ethiopia’s neighbors such as Somalia, Eritrea and south Sudan is also a challenge to realize full economic integration of the Horn of Africa region. And of course, international terrorism is especially acute and severe in the Horn of Africa region, Somalia being one of the most fertile grounds for terrorist groups including Al-Qaida and its affiliates such as the Al-Shaba.In Chapter five Conclusion, the prime motives of the country’s effort in infrastructure network there by boost regional economic integration is primly consolidate and enhance long term dream ensure the Ethiopia renaissance. Ethiopia has inseparable link with its neighbors countries which its share common language, culture, religion and similar history. Ethiopia’s link to East Africa region through road facilitated trade, investment and tourism. Currently, Addis Ababa is connected with Sudan, Kenya, Djibouti, Somalia, and South Sudan through road networks. The country has been constructing a railway network to link various parts of the country with Djibouti.Ethiopia has been connected with some of its neighbors such as Sudan, Kenya and Djibouti through optic fiber cables though the project is under construction yet. The country started selling 65 megawatts of power to Djibouti, 200 megawattes of power to Sudan and 400 megawatts is being transmitted to Kenya.The effort of Ethiopia to bring about regional economic integration through infrastructure development in East Africa region has been building trust among the member of the states. Both countries are enjoying economic interdependence with their respective road accesses. Ethiopia has the largest out let port for import and export of its cargo. The highway that connected both countries enabled them access to any truck can easily free move from and to Ethiopia which benefit them both. The people to people relations of both countries have been solidified. This in turn has been widening and strengthening their deep-rooted historical ties. Even this is further consolidating by creating easy bus transport from Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia to Djibouti, Sudan and Kenya. Different Ethiopian regions also have direct bust transport to and from Djibouti,Sudan and Kenya as well.To enhance and consolidate their mutual benefits out of their deep rooted bilateral ties, both countries have been working to create better environment for their economic interdependence transport of trucks from and to both sides reinforces these people to people relations besides facilitating their economic integration. Thus, boosting economic integration thereby enhance economic interdependence with its neighbors in particular and that of the East African states in general is the only way for Ethiopia to ensure its national interest. Without creating a kind of symbiosis economic interdependence mainly among its neighbors, Ethiopia’s dream to realize its renaissance is nothing but a futile.Thus, we believe that this thesis will provide a better and deeper understanding about Ethiopia’s roles economic integration in East Africa region among their neighbors and finally we have Recommendations, in order to enhance Eastern African economic integration in general and the Horn of Africa in particular, it would be much better for concerned bodies to take in to account. |
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