By Goth Mohamed Goth
Hargeisa – The Third East Africa City Corridor (EACC) Dialogue was officially inaugurated today, August 25, 2026, in the city of Hargeisa. The conference brings together municipalities, national and regional governments, and development partners, with the primary goal of moving beyond dialogue and translating plans into concrete, actionable outcomes.
The EACC Corridor is an economic and urban network spanning approximately 940 kilometers, linking Addis Ababa to the Port of Berbera. The initiative aims to transform trade, transport, and cross-border mobility into sustainable development opportunities that directly benefit the cities and communities along the route.
Organizers and Partners
The conference is supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and facilitated by the Cities Alliance and Jigjiga University. The EACC is a regional development framework focused on boosting urban economies and promoting inclusive growth across the East Africa Corridor.
Core Themes and Agenda
This year’s dialogue is centered on the theme:
“From Dialogue to Delivery: Planned Growth, Investment-Ready Cities and Jobs for Women and Youth.”
Discussions are structured around five key pillars:
· Promoting planned urban growth and enhancing investment readiness in corridor cities.
· Fostering inclusive trade and ensuring that the benefits of corridor development are widely shared.
· Strengthening governance and multi-level cooperation among national governments, local authorities, and development stakeholders.
· Mobilizing financing and investment to transform urban strategies into bankable projects.
· Creating employment opportunities for women and youth, and ensuring that economic gains are equitably distributed.
Highlights of the Conference
A major feature of the event is the presentation of investment-ready projects by participating cities, followed by technical feedback and assessments from development partners. This process is designed to bridge the gap between urban planning and actual implementation.
The conference also tackles pressing challenges associated with rapid urbanization and regional integration, including growing demands for housing, jobs, social services, and infrastructure development.
Expected Outcomes
The overarching objective of this third dialogue is to shift from discussion to delivery—turning previous commitments into tangible projects, financing, and measurable results.
Ultimately, the EACC aims to ensure that the Addis Ababa–Berbera Corridor is viewed not merely as a transport route, but as a dynamic economic link that drives urban growth, trade, and employment—while ensuring that women, youth, migrants, and host communities are active participants and beneficiaries of regional integration.
