The Cost of Being Landlocked
Ethiopia, Eritrea, Port Access, and the Business Consequences of Renewed Red Sea Tension
Executive summary
What this brief covers.
Ethiopia routes more than 95% of its trade through Djibouti at an estimated annual port and logistics cost above $1.5 billion, while Assab lies roughly 60 kilometres from its border. This brief examines the commercial cost of landlocked status, the deterioration in Ethiopia-Eritrea relations, conflict risk, and the implications for investors and regional trade.
UNCTAD; World Bank; International Crisis Group; African Development Bank; UN COMTRADE
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Suggested citation
Tamene, Edosa. “The Cost of Being Landlocked.” InfoPlate Media and Consulting, August 10, 2026.
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