Page 29 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 23

Economy

“It’s (therefore) natural to work “If we concentrate on putting
this out. And I believe this is now forth the long-term economic
an important discussion that has growth program that benefits
been raised by Prime Minister all the nations of the region,
Abiy. This will be worked out the leaders would come to
over the years ahead,” Freeman agreement.”
noted. We should also be able to counter
those media and other internal

Lawrence Freeman is a Political-Economic Analyst for He also stressed the need for and external enemies trying
Africa, who has been involved in economic development discussion about a regional to create tensions between the
policies for Africa for over 30 years. He is a teacher, economic approach since there neighboring countries.
writer, public speaker, and consultant on Africa. Mr. are several ports in the Horn.
Freeman strongly believes that economic development is an There is no objective reason
essential human right. He is also the creator of the blog:
lawrencefreemanafricaandtheworld.com Mentioning about distorted for countries in the Horn of
media reports that Ethiopia is Africa not to work together for
claiming access to sea using force common aims.
if necessary, Freeman noted that
sea.
this is a very divisive policy Discussions should, therefore,
Prime Minister Abiy has suggested that has been used in Africa for be considered among leaders,
potential areas like the Ethiopian hundreds of years. experts in the area, including
Airlines, the Grand Ethiopian economic experts, water experts
Renaissance Dam (GERD) and “We need political leaders and and transportation specialists on
other offers for concession, Freeman statesmen who rise above this access to the Red Sea, the analyst
stated. and understand that these are stated.
political operations. Some
This is perfectly reasonable for the are carried out externally or Freeman hopes that this can be
growing Ethiopian economy, he internally. And the purpose is done through discussion among
noted.
to prevent the development and sovereign leaders of nation

“The Prime Minister is putting these sovereignty of African nations. I states, including presidents and
issues on the table now. (He says) think the leaders of the nations prime ministers, to deal with the
let’s discuss how we are going to in the region can sit down and problem.
bring this about. And I think that’s discuss how the region will grow
the approach of a statesman and I economically.”
would agree with it.”

Access to port is critical to accelerate
the growth trajectory of the country
and contribute to regional physical
economic growth.

“If we look at how we increase
the physical economic growth
of the people in the Horn of
Africa, it is going to depend on
Ethiopia. Ethiopia is going to be
the dominant economic growth
center. And this will benefit all
the other countries.

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