Ethiopia, Djibouti, South Sudan, and Uganda have launched a new regional initiative to strengthen trade and transport links across the Horn of Africa. The Djibouti-Ethiopia-South Sudan-Uganda (DESSU) Corridor Management Authority was officially inaugurated in Djibouti yesterday, with a high-level Ethiopian delegation led by the Minister of Transport and Logistics in attendance.

The authority was established through a Memorandum of Understanding signed in February 2025. Its first focus will be the Djibouti–Addis Ababa corridor, tackling trade bottlenecks and improving the flow of goods. As missing infrastructure links connecting South Sudan and Uganda are completed, these countries will fully integrate into the corridor, linking four major hubs—Djibouti, Addis Ababa, Juba, and Kampala—to enhance regional connectivity and economic growth.

DESSU will be managed by Joint Steering and Technical Committees, with technical coordination provided by Trademark Africa. A Transport Observatory, modeled on systems used for the Northern and Central corridors, will track trade and transport data in real time, enabling authorities to identify delays and recommend improvements for smoother cargo movement.

The initiative also prioritises maritime cabotage, encouraging African-flagged vessels to handle regional shipping and reducing reliance on foreign carriers. The project has backing from the Port Management Association of Eastern and Southern Africa (PMAESA), which supports policies that expand the role of African-owned shipping in domestic and regional trade.