How an IGAD Regional Maritime Council can boost trade

Regional trade policies, mechanisms to deal with bottlenecks, and infrastructural capacity to ease transportation systems are needed.

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) region spans geostrategic waterways of the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and the western Indian Ocean. In ancient times, these routes were a conduit for African trade to and from Arabia, India and beyond. It is time for IGAD to maximise the potential of maritime trade by establishing a Regional Maritime Council that can revitalise maritime industries and promote economic integration.

About the authors

Ahmed Hersi is a maritime security and governance expert. He is a Senior Advisor to IGAD’s Special Envoy to South Sudan. He holds master’s degrees in peacebuilding and maritime Security from Coventry University, UK.

Dr Roba D Sharamo is the ISS Regional Director and Representative to the African Union, Horn and East Africa. Dr Sharamo has over 20 years of experience in international peace and security. He holds a doctorate from George Mason University, US.

Photo: Ryan Sitzman/Wikimedia Commons