Djibouti, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Uganda are set to sign a Ministerial agreement for the establishment of a Regional Transport Corridor Authority that will link the four countries. This corridor is referred to as the DESSU Corridor.
The final signing for the establishment of the corridor is expected to be done in the coming weeks. Additionally, based on that, the signing will take place in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa.
DESSU Corridor Factsheet
Project name: Djibouti-Ethiopia-South Sudan-Uganda (DESSU) Corridor
Type: Regional Transport and Trade Route / Economic Corridor
Participating countries: Djibouti, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Uganda
Establishment: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by the four nations on February 27, 2025. This allowed the establishment of the Corridor Authority.
Governing body: DESSU Corridor Management Authority
Key components: Infrastructure development (road and railway links) and policy harmonization (streamlining customs). Also, it involves the establishment of a transport observatory to monitor data and performance.
The officials representing the four countries reached the agreement on the corridor during a technical and ministerial-level meeting that was held in Djibouti from October 21 to 22, 2025.
The South Sudan National Minister of Roads and Bridges, Simon Mijok, signed on Behalf of South Sudan alongside his counterparts from the participant countries.
Also, Mijok described the corridor more than a transport route. He said the corridor is a participating lifeline that will connect the nations involved to global markets. Also, he stated that the corridor would enhance mobility and promote social and economic growth across the Horn and East Africa.
Significance
According to the Ethiopian Transport Minister, Alemu Sime, the corridor would be an artery of commerce and a driver of regional integration and prosperity.
Furthermore, DESSU Corridor is more than just a framework of roads, Railways, and ports. It is an artery of commerce, a conduit for regional integration and a lifeline for economic prosperity of our citizens. When the corridor is fully functional, our farmers can transport their produce to the market easily,” Sime stated.
Similar Projects in the Region
Lastly, in another regional transport infrastructure development, East African nations are teaming up to develop a regional standard gauge railway network that will connect Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and DRC. This railway will enable economic integration in the region by enhancing mobility of goods.
