Pakistan, Ethiopia eye trilateral maritime alliance with Djibouti

April 09, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan and Ethiopia have initiated discussions on forming a trilateral maritime alliance with Djibouti, aimed at enhancing trade connectivity between Asia and Africa.

The proposal emerged during a meeting between Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry and Ethiopian Ambassador Dr. Oumer Hussien, according to the press release.

The framework seeks to enable landlocked Ethiopia to expand its trade capacity through structured access to the Port of Djibouti, one of East Africa’s busiest maritime hubs.

Indicated that technical consultations are underway to develop operational modalities, with the possibility of formal agreements once groundwork is complete.

During the discussions, Chaudhry highlighted that Pakistani ports have recently recorded higher cargo throughput levels, reflecting improved operational efficiency.

The minister also briefed the envoy on initiatives such as “Africa House,” a platform designed to facilitate trade between African businesses and Pakistani exporters.

Ethiopia imports a range of products from Pakistan, including pharmaceuticals, surgical instruments, garments, fertilizers, rice, and other food items.

Ambassador Hussien expressed optimism that the proposed maritime framework could further expand bilateral trade and regional cooperation, aligning with Pakistan’s broader “Look Africa” and “Engage Africa” policies.

The trilateral arrangement, if implemented, could provide a strategic corridor connecting South and East Asia with East Africa, potentially lowering shipping costs, improving supply chain efficiency, and increasing trade volumes between the regions.

Both sides agreed to maintain close coordination to translate the proposal into actionable steps, signaling a potential shift in Pakistan-Africa trade relations and regional maritime logistics.

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