News in Brief:
– Ethiopia received its first ever shipment of fertiliser through Kenya’s Lamu Port, marking a significant step towards operationalising the LAPSSET corridor.
– This collaboration between Kenya and Ethiopia is expected to boost trade, reduce transportation costs, and create jobs in the region.
Kenya witnessed a significant development on Saturday as Ethiopia received its first ever shipment of fertiliser via Lamu Port.
The 60,000 tonnes of bulk fertiliser, which arrived from Morocco aboard the Ethiopian vessel MV Abbay II, marks a crucial step towards operationalising the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) corridor.
Prior to this, Ethiopia primarily relied on the ports of Djibouti and Mombasa for its imports. The use of Lamu Port signifies Ethiopia’s strategy to diversify its access points to seaports, catering to its growing economy – the second largest in Africa by population.
In this regard, Girma Amante, Ethiopia’s Minister of Agriculture, highlighted the importance of this diversification, particularly in light of the country’s booming agricultural sector. He pointed to a 50% increase in fertiliser imports over the past year, from 1.3 million tonnes to 1.94 million tonnes.
Meanwhile, the successful docking at Lamu is seen as a major test run for the LAPSSET corridor. Stakeholders from both Kenya and Ethiopia believe this project has the potential to transform the region.
Furthermore, Ethiopia’s Transport and Logistics Minister Dange Boru, highlighted its benefits. He said it will expedite movement of goods, reduce transportation costs, and attract foreign investment.
Additionally, Stephen Ikua, Director General of the Lappset Corridor Development Authority, echoed this sentiment. He noted the project’s potential to spur industrial growth, job creation, and improved livelihoods.
