Addis Ababa, May 19, 2026 Ethiopia renewed its call for strengthening regional economic integration as a cornerstone for achieving lasting peace in the Horn of Africa, with the Minister of Trade and Regional Integration, Kassahun Gofe, emphasizing that lasting stability can only be achieved through stronger local solutions.

In his speech at the Horn of Africa Elite Dialogue, also known as the Jijiga Forum, in the city of Jijiga, the capital of Ethiopia’s Somali region, Minister Kassahun stated that the countries of the Horn of Africa must take the lead in addressing their own challenges instead of relying on external parties or fragmented national responses.

He noted that the region continues to face interconnected pressures, including geopolitical rivalry, cross-border insecurity, weak institutional coordination, and limited economic integration, challenges that require collective regional action, according to his remarks.

The minister highlighted several opportunities to accelerate regional integration, including the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement, the development of digital markets, and climate change adaptation initiatives.

He explained that platforms like the Jijiga Forum serve as an important channel for building trust and creating secure business environments that enable the construction of a structural foundation for long-term peace and development.

The minister added that Ethiopia is also expanding electricity exports to neighboring countries as part of broader efforts to improve regional connectivity and support shared economic growth.

Kassahun reaffirmed Ethiopia’s commitment to promoting a shared regional vision based on cooperation, trade, and peace, stressing that stability in the Horn of Africa benefits all countries in the region.

Jijiga Forum

The Jijiga Forum is a significant cultural and social gathering space located in Jijiga, the capital of the Somali Region in Ethiopia. Historically, it has served as a central meeting point for community discussions, trade, and cultural events, reflecting the region’s rich Somali heritage and pastoral traditions. The forum symbolizes the area’s role as a crossroads for diverse ethnic groups and a platform for dialogue and conflict resolution.

Jijiga

Jijiga is the capital city of the Somali Region in eastern Ethiopia, serving as a major commercial and administrative hub. Historically, it was a key stop along ancient trade routes connecting the Ethiopian highlands to the port of Zeila on the Gulf of Aden. The city has grown significantly in recent decades, particularly after the fall of the Derg regime in 1991, and is known for its diverse population and vibrant markets.

Horn of Africa

The Horn of Africa is a peninsula in East Africa, encompassing countries like Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Djibouti. Historically, it was a crucial hub for ancient trade routes connecting Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, known for its production of frankincense and myrrh. The region has also been shaped by powerful empires, such as the Aksumite Empire, and later by European colonization and ongoing geopolitical conflicts.

African Continental Free Trade Area

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is a landmark agreement among 54 of the 55 African Union nations, created to establish a single continental market for goods and services. Officially launched in 2021 after years of negotiations, it aims to boost intra-African trade, reduce tariffs, and foster economic integration, building on earlier regional trade blocs. As the largest free trade zone by number of participating countries since the World Trade Organization, it seeks to lift millions out of poverty by promoting industrialization and sustainable development across Africa.