Africa-Press – Eritrea. President Isaias Afwerki sat down with national media outlets on July 23, 2025 to provide key insights into regional and national issues, including his perspectives on the Sudan conflict, the nation’s National Priority Development Programmes, and Eritrea’s approach to Diplomatic and Media Work. The wide-ranging second part interview delved into timely regional and domestic issues. Excerpts of the last part of the Wednesday, July 23, interview follow.
Q. Mr. President, we will now shift our focus to domestic issues. You had repeatedly emphasized that development is Eritrea’s highest national priority; under any circumstances. You also mentioned a new phase of national development programs is set to be launched in the second half of this year which will be implemented through extensive public participation in all the six regions. Can you elaborate on these plans?
PIA: The subject is broad and multifaceted, but let me begin by emphasizing the importance of defining our national priorities clearly and pragmatically. Over the years, we have launched a range of development initiatives with varying degrees of success and complexity. We have gleaned valuable lessons from these experiences which will, in turn, guide our current approach.
At the forefront is agriculture. Increasing agricultural production across all categories such as cereals, pulses as well horticulture is a central pillar of the programme. The objective is not just to increase output, but to do so in a measurable and impactful way. This is anchored in the fact that Eritrea already possesses substantial natural potential: vast arable land, ample water resources, and access to modern technologies. We need not go into lengthy details on mapping out specific crops in accordance with ecological advantages of each region here; but it is the foundation upon which our development efforts rest.
We are also working to revive and expand cotton cultivation, a long-standing initiative dating back to colonial times. The goal is to establish a chain of integrated industry—from cotton farming to textile production and garment manufacturing. Areas such as Kerkebet, Marsa Gulbub, Marsa Teklai, Asra, Teseney, and Ali Gidir are well suited for this purpose. The approach will be incremental starting from small projects which will expand to extensive programs with time.
A similar integrated approach will be taken, in due time, with other key crops, such as sugarcane, each tailored to specific regional conditions. All these programmes will be pursued within specific and quantifiable output indicators as well as rigorous implementation timelines.
Another major area of focus is our marine resources, which remains significantly underutilized. The Red Sea’s rich fish stocks, particularly in Eritrean waters, remain largely untapped. Indeed, the annual Maximum Sustainable Yield in Eritrea for all the different species of fish is estimated between 80,000-120,000 tons. Perhaps, most of these may not be the most expensive or high-value species. What we have harvested in the past years may be minimal in contrast to the latent potential.
Indeed, although various facilities were built in areas like Edi, Tio, and Gel’alo, these centers have suffered from critical shortages: water, electricity, and transport facilities. The challenge now is not to dwell on the past but to look forward to increase overall productivity. In this perspective, upgrading and furnishing these areas with reliable utilities is now a key component of our broader plan to develop the fishing sector on a national scale.
Scaling up our agricultural and fisheries productivity will have vital impact on economic growth, which transcends food self-sufficiency or a narrow interpretation of food-security that we have never entertained as an end in itself in philosophical terms. Our objective has always been and remains augmented surplus production that goes beyond the requirements of national consumption. These programmes will require rigorous and functional ecological data accumulation and analysis; building of dams of appropriate sizes across all the country; as well as vigorous afforestation and catchment-area treatment through an integrated and comprehensive national plan of action.
Water Storage
Water storage is an indispensable enabler of both agricultural productivity and land restoration. Our strategy involves the construction of large, medium, and small dams, and extensive water harvesting systems, both in highlands and lowlands, to enrich groundwater and capture seasonal runoff. This includes managing floodwater, exploring the use of seawater, and even recycling wastewater. To make all this effective, modern and efficient distribution systems are critical; for agriculture and livestock, all household consumption etc.
We are also moving towards modern irrigation. Traditional rain-fed farming practices consume far more water and are inefficient. Pilot projects using water-efficient irrigation systems are already underway. What is important is that we are not simply importing technology – we’re innovating and adapting systems to our own context, using natural gradients and gravity, where feasible, to maximize water-use efficiency.
Energy Development
Reliable electricity supply is crucial across all sectors. The prevalent energy supply system consisted of a national grid in Hirgigo with 120MW aggregate output supplemented with several, localized, power supply installations. The current expansion plan does not envisage a new nation-wide grid. We are developing 12 regional mini-grids, a hybrid system, powered by a mix of thermal and renewable sources, primarily solar energy. Each grid will initially have a capacity of 30 megawatts (MW), amounting to a combined starting capacity of 360 MW. Over time, these grids will transition to predominantly solar-based systems, especially in regions with high solar potential.
The distribution network must also be modernized to ensure continuous and reliable service for agriculture, industry, and households alike. In doing so, we aim to complement imported technologies with domestic innovation to increase reliability and reduce costs.
Housing and Urban Planning
The central kernel of national development is raising the standard and quality of life of the citizens. In this respect, housing remains a critical challenge, particularly in urban areas. Sub-standard and make-shift housing structures in various rural areas must be replaced by appropriate facilities while also addressing acute housing shortages in urban areas. This is being pursued in tandem with job creation and infrastructure development. Previous housing projects – some of which were delayed or left incomplete – are being reviewed and reactivated, with a focus on design, sustainability, and access to essential services. Implementation of these programmes will be expedited henceforth as part and parcel of our short-term national developmental priorities.
Social Services
Equally vital are education, health, and social welfare. We are undertaking a comprehensive review of the education system – from kindergarten to higher education – to improve both quality and relevance. Human capital is our most valuable resource – more so than land, water, or technology.
The health sector must also be strengthened. Even though facilities exist in many parts of the country, including Referral Hospitals in all the regions, their coverage and effectiveness need to be significantly improved, particularly in remote and underserved areas. Emergency preparedness, public health networks/preventive care, and the cultivation of trained professionals must be prioritized.
With regard to social welfare, support will continue for those unable to work due to disability or illness. However, and even if the magnitude remains small, we must move away from policy precepts and models that perpetuate dependency. The focus will be on expanding employment opportunities, so individuals can lead dignified and self-sufficient lives. Longstanding programs such as “food for work” have been helpful, but they too require restructuring and a longer-term perspective
Transportation Infrastructure
A functional transportation system is indispensable for effective implementation of all development programs. Without reliable roads and transit networks, economic activity falters. Many of our roads are narrow, winding, and heavily burdened. There is an urgent need to upgrade major highways and expand road access, especially in remote regions.
The transport of people and goods, particularly agricultural produce, is essential for market integration and price stability. We have already procured a significant number of buses, but more are needed. Efficient freight transport is needed to prevent supply bottlenecks/ artificial shortages, inflated prices, and other barriers to economic growth.
More importantly and as I emphasize earlier, all our projects must be carried out within a measurable framework and clear timeframe of implementation. In this connection, Regional Administrations will take responsibility to implement the national development projects within their respective regions. Community participation is critical for the success and ownership of these programmes. The Defence Forces will contribute in the implementation of large infrastructural programmes. The Diaspora can also participate in the development programmes through investment in accordance with appropriate modalities.
Q. Mr. President, tangible measures are being taken to address shortcomings and bottlenecks in the energy sector. You have also mentioned the programmes underway to address housing as well as transport issues. Could you elaborate further on the delays and current implementation status of transportation projects?
PIA: Transportation, both public and freight, is a complex and essential component of our development strategy. When we talk about inner-city mobility, we are not referring solely to taxis; a functioning public transport requires a diverse fleet of buses, suited to different terrains and road conditions. Reliable, around-the-clock service demands a robust support system: garages, spare parts, maintenance facilities, and logistics coordination.
Freight transport is even more urgent. Farmers must have affordable and reliable means to get their goods to market. At present, due to inadequate transport, prices skyrocket as goods move from rural production centers to urban markets. Areas like Haykota and Teseney face near-complete transport shortages, further straining livelihoods and limiting economic opportunity.
We must also strengthen our capacity to modify and assemble vehicles locally, especially four-wheel-drive models suited for a rugged topography. This initiative is taken seriously and is already underway. But it is not a simple task. Effective transport requires the coordination of many elements – vehicles, roads, trained personnel, and long-term equipment sustainability.
As for efficient transport networks related with export, it does have the same urgency at this point in time. Our immediate priority is to guarantee domestic distribution of goods at fair and stable prices. Until we bridge the transportation gap, advances in production will not translate into tangible improvements in the lives of our citizens.
Q. In your Independence Day message, you placed emphasis on diplomacy, media, and politics in navigating today’s fluid global and regional environment. How do you assess Eritrea’s current diplomatic and media engagements, especially in the region? What steps are envisaged to strengthen it more?
PIA: Let us start with preoccupying problems close to home. As I emphasized earlier, Eritrea has no desire for, and has never been a proponent of, war. Indeed, it has no reason whatsoever to be embroiled in war. We believe in addressing provocations early before they spiral.
True diplomacy begins with clarity of purpose and principle. Real diplomacy means avoiding escalations, and refusing to be drawn into reckless rhetoric or conflict.
As I have said before, foreign interference – whether from the UAE or others – does not benefit anyone. Our position remains that the people of Sudan, Ethiopia, and neighboring countries must be the ones to resolve their own internal crises. Too often, external actors, under the guise of humanitarian intervention, pursue economic interest, influence, or control, and only end up exacerbating conflicts rather than resolving them.
We believe in constructive, cooperative, and proactive diplomacy. Needless to emphasize, Eritrea has its own road-map of diplomacy for constructive engagement in the wider neighborhood as well as the world at large.
In this respect, we must nurture a shared understanding across the region: the Horn of Africa, the Nile Basin, the Red Sea, and the Gulf. This is predicated on promoting overall stability and enhancing the common agendas of complementarity and integration. Our neighbors – Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Djibouti, Somalia, and South Sudan – must be part of a broader strategic framework. Regional organizations like IGAD and the African Union have roles to play, but our efforts must also focus beyond these institutions to cultivate direct bilateral and multilateral engagement.
We must also reassess continuously how we interact with global powers: the United States, Europe, China, and Russia. Take Italy, for instance: our relationship has evolved steadily, and a government delegation is expected to visit soon. An agreement on which we have been working for a long time could be signed.
Needless to emphasize, international partnerships must move beyond bilateral transactions; they must contribute meaningfully to regional stability and development.
Media and Strategic Communication
Diplomacy today is intertwined with, and cannot be separated from, media. Unfortunately, the global media landscape is dominated by disinformation, distortion, and propaganda. We are bombarded daily by campaigns designed to confuse, defame, and provoke. Responding to these attacks is necessary, but mere reaction is not enough.
We must transition from a defensive stance to an active, strategic communications approach – one that clearly and assertively articulates our vision and priorities across both traditional and digital media platforms. We need to evaluate the impact of our messaging, enhance our technical and human capacity, and build a media network that functions in parallel and enhances our diplomatic efforts.
This requires serious institutional support: dedicated research and strategic centers that monitor international developments, analyze misinformation, and guide our strategic positioning. Our media institutions must evolve from being reactive defenders to proactive drivers of our national narrative.
Assertive and principled media will have its dividends and reinforce our diplomatic engagements. In this acrimonious and highly competitive environment, we cannot remain complacent. These are not peripheral issues. They are core national priorities that must be pursued with seriousness and sustained focus.
shabait
For More News And Analysis About Eritrea Follow Africa-Press
