Ethiopia and Djibouti agreed to build 550-kilometer 1.5 billion oil pipeline

Ethiopian News, Tigrai Online, September 30, 2015

The 20-inch pipeline will be able to transport 240,000 barrels of fuel a day from Damerjog, Djibouti to a storage terminal in Awash in Ethiopia.

Ethiopia and Djibouti agreed to build 550 kilometers long Oil and Gas pipeline at a cost of 1.5 billion connecting the two Horn of African countries. The pipeline will primarily used to transport diesel, gasoline and jet fuel from the ports of Djibouti to the main highlands of Ethiopia.

The one and half billion dollar mega project is backed by Mining, Oil & Gas Services and Blackstone Group LP-Black Rhino Group

The 20-inch pipeline will be able to transport 240,000 barrels of fuel a day from Damerjog, Djibouti to a storage terminal in Awash in Ethiopia. The mega project which was dubbed as the Horn of Africa Pipeline also includes a storage facility with the capacity of 950,000 barrels of fuel.

The Mega Etho-Djibouti Project is expected to be completed by 2018. This project not only bring much needed jobs and services to both countries, it will further strengthen the relationship between Ethiopia and Djibouti.

Ethiopia is building multiple mega projects to upgrade its nonexistence infrastructure and help the Ethiopian population get out of poverty. Ethiopia is one of the fastest growing economies in the world registering about 11 percent growth every year for the past decade.

Ethiopia has successfully completed the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Ethiopia was honored by the South-South Awards on Saturday for its achievements in implementing the Millennium Development Goals.

Ethiopia and Djibouti are building more than pipelines and train tracks; they are merging their economy, security, infrastructure and diplomatic missions.

When Ethiopian Prime Minister HaileMariam Dessalegn visited Djibouti in February 2015, first of its kind visit by an Ethiopian prime minister, the relationship between the two sisterly countries was elevated to in to a higher level.  “We have taken a decision to be an example for integration in the region and then in Africa. For the political integration of our continent, we are trying to show that we can integrate, we can work together, we can share the resources we have, the infrastructures that we have in common and scientific researches and all projects that will enhance our relations and enhance the African integration”. Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh said after a meeting the Ethiopian prime minister.

Most Horn of Africa geopolitical analysts say complete integration of Ethiopia is inevitable it is a matter of time.  The reunion of Djibouti and Ethiopia to form a super power country will bring enormous benefits not only to the two countries, but to the greater Horn of Africa.

The Ethiopian and Djiboutian people are ethnically, culturally, linguistically and historically one people separated by foreigners, but the most deciding factor is people from both sides wanted to be reunited. It is only natural and necessary to become one big nation.