Djibouti and South Sudan to Co-Develop Trade Corridor

On 18 August 2025, Djibouti and South Sudan signed an agreement to co-develop a cross-border economic corridor. The corridor runs along the White Nile River and is aimed at enhancing regional integration and will improve access to the global trade for the landlocked country of South Sudan. The MoU was signed by the Djibouti Ports and Free Zones Authority and Ministry of Transport of South Sudan.

South Sudan Transport Minister Lam Ajawin qualified the deal as a significant milestone in regional cooperation between the two countries. As one of the key #EconomicCorridors in the region, it will contribute to boost trade, streamline logistics and foster economic growth in the Great Lakes region. The plan also includes the construction of river and dry ports in several South Sudanese cities, including, Juba, Bor, Malakal and Renk.

This Corridor is part of the larger White Nile Corridor development plan which is articulated around two main routes to enhance #connectivity between South Sudan and Djibouti. The first route will goods via road from Djibouti into Ethiopia before arriving at Nasir in South Sudan. Then, a barge along the Sobat and White Nile river will take over. The second route can move goods from Port Sudan by highway to Kosti in Sudan before transferring to barges on the White Nile River.

The deal reinforces Djibouti’s position as a vital gateway on the geostrategic Bab-el-Mandeb Strait. It will greatly contribute to expand transport and lower logistical costs for South Sudan. As a side note, Djibouti and South Sudan are also working together with Ethiopia and Uganda to develop the #DESSU Corridor.