By Alan Clement
South Sudan has joined Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Uganda in launching the Djibouti-Ethiopia-South Sudan-Uganda (DESSU) Corridor Authority, a landmark initiative to boost East African trade, logistics, and regional connectivity.
The agreement was signed by South Sudan’s Minister of Transport, Rizik Zakaria Hassan, accompanied by Undersecretary Paul Dhel Gum, alongside counterparts from the three partner nations.
It marked the creation of a unified regulatory body tasked with coordinating infrastructure development, harmonizing transport policies, and reducing trade barriers among the four countries.
The DESSU Corridor Authority marks a new era of regional cooperation, positioning South Sudan’s participation as a matter of sovereignty, access, and opportunity rather than just transport. Through collaboration with Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Uganda, South Sudan is opening pathways for its people and businesses to connect more efficiently with international markets.
The corridor integrates road, rail, and digital infrastructure to cut logistics costs. For landlocked South Sudan, it offers direct access to Djibouti’s busy port, reducing reliance on neighbors for trade.
The Ministry of Transport noted that the DESSU Corridor will reduce trade costs and delays by harmonizing customs and creating a unified regulatory framework, removing long-standing bottlenecks to regional commerce.
Collaborative investment in road and rail, including highway upgrades, expanded rail links, and integrated digital cargo tracking, is central to the corridor’s success.
The signing positions South Sudan as a key player in the Horn of Africa’s logistics landscape. By linking to Djibouti’s port, Ethiopia’s transport ambitions, and Uganda’s trade networks, the country gains regional relevance and economic diversification.
The agreement underscores South Sudan’s commitment to integration and its role in East Africa’s transport map.
The DESSU Corridor Authority will oversee joint investments in critical infrastructure projects, including road networks linking South Sudan to Ethiopia and Uganda, rail connections designed to facilitate bulk cargo movement, and digital systems to modernize customs and logistics management.
The Ministry of Transport underscored that these projects will not only enhance trade but also improve mobility for citizens, strengthen cross-border cooperation, and support broader development goals.
The agreement signed in Djibouti is set to accelerate the rollout of regional transport projects already under discussion. Technical committees will now begin work immediately to harmonize national policies with the Authority’s framework.
The ministry emphasized the long-term vision of the initiative, underscoring that the corridor is designed to build both physical and symbolic bridges linking economies, communities, and futures.
The formalization of the DESSU Corridor Authority marks a turning point in East African integration, with South Sudan stepping into a pivotal role in shaping the region’s logistics and trade architecture.