Ethiopia is to sign an agreement with Djibouti next month for the use of its port to import coal that the Ethiopian Petroleum Enterprise (EPE) intends direct to cement plants.

EPE has been seeking to replace the heavy furnace oil currently in use. The initial plan to use petcoke was unsuccessful due to supply and cost issues. As a result, the search continued and 6300kcal South African coal has been deemed suitable for cement works. The imported coal will cost US$207.30/t, according to a dedicated taskforce.