The Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA) held an internal validation workshop for research completed for the 2024 term, conducted under the thematic focus: Economic Diplomacy.
The 2024 research theme examines Ethiopia’s evolving diplomatic posture in the context of major national developments—particularly the post-2018 political reform and the launch of the 2019 Homegrown Economic Reform Agenda. It explores how these shifts have shaped the country’s economic diplomacy priorities and strategic direction.
Among the research papers presented, Ethiopia’s Quest to Access the Sea and its Geopolitical Implication, conducted by Dr. Amare Kenaw, Lead Researcher, argues that “as an economic powerhouse in the region, Ethiopia has the potential to serve as an economic hub for the Horn of Africa’s coastal states, provided they can address its recent request for direct access to the sea.”
The validation workshop is part of IFA’s effort to ensure that research outputs are policy-relevant and aligned with Ethiopia’s broader foreign policy objectives.