(Ecofin Agency) - Ethiopian Shipping & Logistics Enterprise wants to make the dry port of Modjo the main logistics hub of the country. The project valued at $150 million will be funded by the World Bank.

The dry port of Modjo, situated in the centre of the country 76 km from Addis Ababa, will be completely transformed into a logistics center over the next five years, says Ewnetu Taye, Deputy Managing Director of Ethiopian Shipping & Logistics Enterprise.

As part of the extension and modernization work, the platform will be extended to 300 hectares from the current 30 hectares. This initiative is expected to help strengthen trade with the port of Djibouti via the Ethiopia-Djibouti railway, built by China.

Opened 11 years ago, the dry port of Modjo has contributed hugely to Ethiopia's import-export trade. With a capacity of 16,000 containers, it hosts 78% of the country's transport and logistics services.
“By enhancing the performance of the Ethio-Djibouti corridor through improvements in the range and quality of logistics services at Modjo Dry Port, and reducing burdensome regulations in customs, trade finance and trade facilitation, the government will be able to reap the benefits of trade that help to drive growth and reduce poverty,” said Klaus Tilmes, Director of Competitiveness at the World Bank.

Romuald Ngueyap