Djibouti’s Port Dominance Under Red Sea Pressure: Ethiopia’s own figures say the Port of Djibouti handled 96.71% of Ethiopia’s seaborne import/export cargo in 2025/26, with Djibouti still the main maritime gateway even as Red Sea disruption keeps freight costly and forces Cape detours. Logistics Cost Hit for Landlocked Trade: Traders report Ethiopian coffee and other cargo can take about twice as long via Cape of Good Hope, adding storage fees, delays, and war-risk insurance—costs that stack up for importers still funneling most trade through Djibouti. Digital Push for Cargo Operations: Ethiopian Shipping and Logistics (ESL) launched a digital customer self-service platform for booking, cargo tracking, demurrage management, digital payments, and complaints—aimed at cutting paper-based friction in port and cargo workflows. Horn of Africa Trade Integration: The AU welcomed Somalia’s ratification of AfCFTA, while a Horn of Africa Trade Ministers’ meeting in Addis Ababa (including Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, and South Sudan) focused on practical steps to deepen regional commerce. Pakistan Looks to East Africa via PAEC: Pakistan’s Pakistan-Africa Economic Council (PAEC) is set to launch Friday, targeting East Africa first—Rwanda, Ethiopia, Uganda, and Djibouti—with project-based trade and investment links. Djibouti Sovereignty Warning: President Ismail Omar Guelleh said Djibouti will not tolerate foreign interference as Horn/Red Sea rivalry intensifies, while pledging continued investment in skills and internal security. Energy Market Link: Ethiopia’s power exports helped halve Djibouti’s production costs, with a World Bank report pointing to cross-border power trade constraints and the potential of an Ethiopia–Kenya–Tanzania renewable corridor.