Oil & Gas

The Ogaden Basin in eastern Ethiopia represents one of the country’s most promising yet underutilized energy assets. Rich in oil and gas reserves, it has the potential to drastically reduce Ethiopia’s reliance on imports and become a powerful driver of national economic growth—if managed wisely and inclusively.

However, the region’s potential has long been overshadowed by political neglect and violent resistance, particularly from the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF). Resource extraction without community inclusion has fueled tension and historic conflict in the Ogaden, with previous agreements often bypassing local stakeholders and deepening mistrust toward the federal government.

As exploration activities expand, environmental and human rights concerns are becoming impossible to ignore. Without strict environmental oversight, oil development risks doing more harm than good, with reports of pollution, toxic waste, and severe health impacts haunting the communities living closest to extraction sites.

Ultimately, the real gamble is not in drilling for oil—but in failing to govern it responsibly. Ethiopia must choose between chasing short-term profits or laying the groundwork for long-term, transparent, and community-driven energy development that actually benefits its people.