Eritrea: Laying the Foundation for a Radiant Future

College of Arts and Social Sciences in Adi Keih 

Laying the Foundation for a Radiant Future

Simon Weldemichael

Adi Keih College of Arts and Social Sciences

February 2018

In 2000, world leaders came together to face the future with the aim to create an environment which is conducive to development. Toward this end, 189 countries signed a declaration called the Millennium Declaration, comprised of 8 goals that would be implemented within 15 years. After 15 years, in 2015 what we saw was terrifying: only few countries (including Eritrea) accomplished many of the ambitious plans of MDGs. Again in 2015, when the UN celebrated its 70th anniversary, world leaders decided to adopt “Sustainable Development Goals” that comprise 17 goals to be achieved by 2030. In all of the global and regional declarations for a better future, infrastructure holds a central place; goal 9 of the SDGs aims to “build resilient infrastructure.”

Infrastructure is generally defined as “an underlying base or supporting structure, the basic facilities, equipment, services and installations needed for the growth and functioning of a country, community, operation or organization”. Infrastructure, also referred to as “social overhead capital”, renders services to the people and has a determining factor in improving the quality of life. Thus, a sound infrastructural foundation is the key to overall socio-economic development. Infrastructure facilities are like wheels of development, without which economic and social life cannot function properly.

Infrastructure is essential for increasing economic progress and reducing poverty. In 2015, in an attempt to end poverty and hunger, world leaders agreed to (by 2030), “provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improv[e] road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, women, children, persons with disabilities and older persons” (SDGs 11.2). Economically, infrastructure is expensive and requires substantial capital. However, a developing nation, Eritrea has made remarkable progress in expanding infrastructure throughout the country. The infrastructural development in Eritrea is quite unique despite its self-reliant nature. In its ambitious development program, Eritrea relies first and foremost on its people and on its domestic resources. The self-reliant infrastructural development projects have been accomplished by mobilizing internal resources and have been constructed for the people.

Proper and adequate infrastructure is important for a modern economy. Like a sound foundation is required for a strong edifice, sound infrastructure is crucial for comprehensive and sustainable national development. If the infrastructure of an economy is strong, one can build up the super structure easily. Thus, economic development is not possible without building infrastructure.

Eritrea’s development policy is guided by the principles of social justice and self-reliance. The policy of social justice focuses on an equal and even distribution of services and goods in the country. Since distribution needs a means of dissemination and circulation, the policy of social justice cannot work without sound infrastructure. There is a positive correlation between laying infrastructure and social justice. Infrastructure contributes a lot for the development of lagging regions and helps remove regional imbalances. The broad investment in economic, social and institutional infrastructure undertaken by Eritrea is part the colossal effort to ensure social justice. In Eritrea, transport and communication facilities, health and education services, access to legal and administrative institutions, electricity and safe water are considered as fundamental human rights. Social justice is about narrowing the gap between people living in one country. Thus, narrowing the gap between rural and urban infrastructure is a core area of development. Eritrea develops much rural infrastructure, including safe drinking water facilities, roads, dams, irrigation, educational institutions, health clinics or hospitals, and telecommunication services. These are all necessary for the improvement of rural and previously marginalized areas. The development strategy of Eritrea is founded on even distribution of infrastructure. In this case Eritrea contradicts the flawed approaches to development and growth that fail to tackle poverty and improve the life of the people practically or sustainably. A common denominator of the success of social justice and SDGs is infrastructural development.

The transport and communication infrastructure established during the past 26 years has helped transform the lives of Eritreans, especially in the remote areas. The seasonal and regular roads connect the hilly and distant villages with one another and also connect with towns and cities. The many roads and telecommunication facilities available throughout the country have helped reduce and eliminate barriers between rural and urban areas.

The development of agriculture to a considerable extent depends on infrastructure. Development of dams and irrigation, transportation, training areas, and research facilities, contributes a lot to the development of agricultural production and food security. The medium and large dams constructed in the highlands and lowlands, especially in the western lowlands, lift the spirits and hopes of the people. Dams have become an integral part of basic infrastructure by offering indispensable benefits like irrigation, domestic and industrial water supply, drought mitigation, and fish farming. Ancient civilizations and contemporary large cities were all located along river banks or coastal areas. This underscores how water is one of the critical natural resources on which humankind’s very survival and development has depended. It has often been remarked that if agriculture and industry are regarded as the body and backbones of a national economy, transport and communication constitute its nerves.

Eritrea has long been engaged in the construction of development and rehabilitative infrastructure. As a result of its significant investment in infrastructure, there has been a phenomenal increase in the number and types of infrastructural facilities. Sustainable development is only attained by sustainable and workable infrastructure. According to “Global Economy and Development” (Working Paper 91), sustainable infrastructure is infrastructure that is socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable. Thus socially sustainable infrastructure is inclusive and respects human rights that meet the needs of the poor by increasing infrastructure access. Social infrastructure refers to those overhead facilities which lead to the improvement in the quality of life of the population, including health services, educational facilities, water supply, and sanitation.

In Eritrea, education is a national investment. Education is an important means for the production of material wealth. Investment in education has tangible effects on equity and alleviation of poverty. The various educational facilities built throughout the country play a great role in social and economic transformation. In addition, the increased access and free education has an important egalitarian effect on the population. Investing in education is highly rewarding, both to society and individuals.

Health is also an important element of wellbeing. Enjoyment of health facilities is a fundamental human right. Goal 3 of the SDGs aims “ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all, at all ages.” The various clinics, regional, and national referral hospitals and the roads that connect villages and towns throughout Eritrea will enable the country to accomplish its goals as well as the SDGs. Months ago, Foreign Minister Osman Saleh, in his address to the 72nd session of the UNGA, stated that “Eritrea is confident it will meet the Sustainable Development Goals ahead of time.”

“Global Economy and Development” (Working Paper 91) also predicts that “over the next 15 years, the global economy will need to invest around $90 trillion in infrastructure assets” (2015: 9). In developing countries, mobilizing enough resources for the construction of needed infrastructure is difficult. However, Eritrea, despite its challenging conditions, is committed to constructing important public infrastructure. Today, in Eritrea, it is common to see development workers with heavy machinery engaged in maintenance and construction of roads, dams, schools, colleges, health services, electricity facilities, and water pipelines, and more.

Because of the various steps taken during the few years of independence, communication facilities have become one of the fastest growing developments in Eritrea. Towers of Eritrean Telecommunication (Eritel) can be seen dotting the foothills of Eritrea. Telecommunications are vital for rapid growth and development. Today, the vast majority of both urban and rural dwellers use mobile services. The many cybercafés available in Eritrean towns and cities are also a testament to the growth of this sector and its associated infrastructure.

Apart from socio-economic development, proper functioning infrastructure is also important for the defense of the nation. For instance, during the Weyane invasion, the transport infrastructural foundation helped the Eritrean forces quickly mobilize and deploy across the different fronts. The numerical disadvantage of the Eritrean forces was compensated by their quick mobility to counter the invading Ethiopian army.

An important measurement of development during the past 26 years of independence can be to consider the equitable distribution of infrastructure. Currently, Eritrea is divided into three development zones. Accordingly, equal distribution of infrastructure, health services, education, agriculture and all developmental programs have taken place. The commitment of the people and government of Eritrea has been important in laying down a solid foundation for ensuring equitable and sustainable development. In Eritrea, laying the foundation means putting in place the necessary infrastructure essential to ensuring social justice and the well-being of the people.

The expansion of infrastructure and other development projects also helps the country in its ongoing effort of nation-building. President Issayas Afewerki once said that “The process of nation-building has two features - software and hardware … The major challenge we faced in the course of nation-building was actually the hardware feature. Building a nation requires having the necessary capacity in infrastructure, such as hospitals, schools, communication, electricity, potable water, etc. All this was virtually nonexistent during independence, and we had to start from below zero” (ECSS 2010).

Eritrea which already possessed the software aspect of nation-building during the long struggle for independence, is now acquiring the hardware, too. The foundation is being set and the walls are being built. Despite continuous external pressure and various challenges, an objective analysis of what Eritrea has achieved so far reveals considerable progress. Observing Eritrea through the lens of the present arrangements, the future of the country is radiant. The time has come for Eritrean people to enjoy the rewards of their enormous sacrifices.

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