Lapsset project : a showcase for African regional integration, bringing nations together

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BY DANIEL ALEMAYEHU

 Africa has been striving to build its own economic empire through creating regional integration. Under the big African Union umbrella, member states have crafted their own objectives to foster regional economic, social, and political cooperation among them. From the recent agenda of the AU, realizing the African Continent Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) can be a milestone to the member states.

Similarly, member states of the African continent have been working on the establishing their own regional integration that connects and puts them together in order to collaborate in regional economic and social issues and grow together. In East African region, nations have exerted their efforts to connect one another. One of the best projects this time could be the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET). According to its official website, the LAPSSET Corridor Program is Eastern Africa’s largest infrastructure aims at bringing Kenya, Ethiopia and South Sudan together.

The project consists of seven key infrastructure projects starting with a new 32 Berth port at Lamu (Kenya); Interregional Highways from Lamu to Isiolo, Isiolo to Juba (South Sudan), Isiolo to Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), and Lamu to Garsen (Kenya), Crude Oil Pipeline from Lamu to Isiolo, Isiolo to Juba; Product Oil Pipeline from Lamu to Isiolo, Isiolo to Addis Ababa; Interregional Standard Gauge Railway lines from Lamu to Isiolo, Isiolo to Juba, Isiolo to Addis Ababa, and Nairobi to Isiolo; 3 International Airports: one each at Lamu, Isiolo, and Lake Turkana; 3 Resort Cities: one each at Lamu, Isiolo and Lake Turkana; the multipurpose High Grand Falls Dam along the Tana River.

 According to the Project Information Memorandum of the African Development Bank Group, there stated the key objectives of developing Lamu Port. The major goals are: to provide sea port and transport corridor link to serve the ever-increasing imports, and export cargo base from Ethiopia, Kenya and South-Sudan, among other countries. It also reduces the reliance on Mombasa port. Furthermore, the establishment of Lamu Port at the Indian Coastline will enable the new port play as a new hub. Countries such as, Ethiopia and South Sudan have huge hinterland markets that require access to the sea. The completion of Lamu Port will enhance the transshipment of such country based cargo as exports while aligning as an import-handling port for the same specific countries, among others.

 Making the project real and operational, the three east African nations have taken played their part coupled with responsible stakeholders like the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). There was a three-day ministerial council meeting under the theme “Fast-tracking LAPSSET Implementation for Peace, Growth, Sustainable Development  and Regional Integration”. Around 120 participants were attended. The meeting was the third edition of a ministerial process, which began in Mombasa and Addis Ababa. All three were hosted by the respective countries and facilitated by ECA. The 4th Ministerial Council has been scheduled for Lamu, Kenya in 2024.

 According to a press release from United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), at the closing day of the three-day ministerial council meeting attended by ministers and senior officials from Kenya, Ethiopia, and South Sudan in Juba, Transport Minister of the Government of the Republic of South Sudan, Mr. Madut Biar Yel stated that the Government of the Republic of South Sudan promised to establish a coordinating structure to accelerate infrastructure projects coupled with the LAPSSET project.

 On the event, participant Ministers of those states adopted an 11-paragraph resolution of the Juba Commitments. The resolution calls on member states of the project to integrate corridor projects into their national development plans and develop a 10-year strategic plan for their implementation. Ministers also promised to make the Steering Committee and Technical Committee operational so as to ensure coordinated implementation in the three countries.

 The press release also mentioned that the Ministers of the member states have recognized the 16 priority LAPSSET projects identified by South Sudan and urged private investors and development partners to channel resources and technical support towards their fast-track implementation. The LAPSSET Business Council was called upon to mobilize resources and investments for the accelerated growth of key corridor components.

 Further, the Vice President of South Sudan and Chairman of the Infrastructure Cluster, Mr. Taban Deng Gal, on his past, LAPSSET corridor presented an opportunity for regional integration and increased trade  in the eastern and the Horn. Likewise, the remaining member state representatives Mr. Kipchumba Murkomen from The Cabinet Secretary for Roads, Transport, and Public Works in Kenya, and Eyob Tekalign (PhD), Ethiopian State Minister for Finance also agreed on the states’ commitment to accelerate the completion of the projects.

 Eyob highlighted the importance of the project in enhancing economic cooperation and regional integration among the three countries. He also echoed Ethiopia’s commitment to the realization of the LAPSSET vision. The LAPSSET Corridor Program is Eastern Africa’s largest and most ambitious infrastructure project bringing together Kenya, Ethiopia and South Sudan. By the same token, Mr. Stephen Karingi, Director of ECA’s Regional Integration and Trade Division, pinpointed the compelling business case for LAPSSET based on the enormous natural resources available in the three countries, which could support economic diversification and value addition.

The director further noted that the Juba Commitments were seen as a demonstration of the three countries taking action towards the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Be that as it may, experts on the issue forwarded their ideas regarding the benefits of such trans- boundary projects that connect nations. In good truth, such mega projects have a great impact in the economic progress on member nations. Having a stay with The Ethiopian Herald, Economic Researcher Molla Alemayehu (PhD) stated the economic potential of such trans- boundary mega projects like LAPSSET.

 According to the researcher, the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) project is one of the key projects that help to unlock regional economic potential and expanding the economic growth base of member states. The LAPSSET project has a potential to facilitate regional economic integration, trade and interconnectivity among Ethiopia, Kenya and South Sudan. The implementation of the project is also instrumental to reduce poverty and create more job opportunities in the three member countries.

 Again, Molla elucidated the additional benefits that the mega project can bring to those member states. He said that the project helps member states to register sustainable economic growth. It also facilitates the continuous and affordable supply of products and reduces expenditure. It would also harmonize quotas and tariffs, boost the quality of products and services and give an opportunity for technology and knowledge transfer.

 The project also has the capacity to bring economic growth balance among the member states. It also enables the flow of resources from one to another. Coupled with the enormous advantages that the LAPSSET project creates on the overall economic progress, stakeholders are also responsible to play their part, as to the researcher, those countries should be ready to take major actions for the realization of this mega project.

“These countries should also work to create a favorable environment for trade exchanges and revise the unnecessary regulations and other setbacks based on mutual consensus. By doing this, they could register better economic progress in years to come,” Molla highlighted.  To bring tangible results, the agreement should consider the interest of each country and a lot is expected from Ethiopia to capitalize the project to ensure economic dynamism, the expert emphasized.

 THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 30 MAY 2023

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