North-East & Horn
Eritrea
إريترياÉrythrée
- Mission
- In scope · Country file in preparation
- Country file
- Published, with sources · Last reviewed 2026-10-07
From within
Neighbours: Sudan · Ethiopia · Djibouti
Overview
The country at a glance
Selected indicators
- Population
- 3.6 million peopleExact value: 3,607,003
- GDP
- 2.07 US$ bn
- GDP per capita
- 689 US$
- GDP growth
- 8.7 %
- Urban population
- 34.5 %
- Population under 15
- 37.6 %
Country card
- Official name
- State of Eritrea
- Capital
- Asmara
- Region
- North-East & Horn
- Location
- Coastal
- Neighbours
- Sudan · Ethiopia · Djibouti
More essential facts — 13 entries
- Population — UN estimate
- ~3.5 million. No census has been published.
- Growth in 2025 — estimate
- 3.2% — African Development Bank estimate.
- Red Sea coast
- ~1,200 km, plus the Dahlak archipelago.
- Capital
- Asmara.
- UNESCO World Heritage
- Asmara is inscribed (2017) as a modernist African city.
- Area
- About 117,600 km².
- Currency
- The nakfa (ERN) — pegged at about 15 nakfa per US dollar.
- Languages
- Tigrinya, Arabic and English are working languages.
- Independence
- 24 May 1993, after a referendum.
- Religion
- A society roughly divided between Muslims and Christians (estimates).
- Regional framework — the Red Sea Council
- Council of Arab and African States bordering the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
- Regional framework — the Arab League
- Observer at the Arab League.
- Time zone
- Asmara: UTC+3.
The axes in brief
Geographic context and connectivity
Society
People, society and culture
People & Society
Mineral resources
Copper, zinc, gold and silver at Bisha, and potash at Colluli with a very long mine life. 4
General context
An economy dominated by state and party-affiliated enterprises, foreign-exchange controls (investment-framework items to be confirmed locally), an absence of regularly published official data, US sanctions designations of 2021 on the defence forces, the ruling party and affiliated commercial entities (current status to be checked), tension with Ethiopia, and no independent domestic media. Analysis35671718
What this means in practice
The documented channel is political, through high-level contacts, including a February 2026 meeting on the role of the Red Sea littoral states in regional security; the economy is dominated by state and party-affiliated enterprises, and the current status of the US designations must be checked before any transaction. Analysis78910111218
Culture & Identity
Section facts and information — 11 entries
- Asmara
- Modernist architecture.
- Dahlak
- Archipelago.
- National television
- Eritrea TV (Eri-TV).
- Radio
- The radio station Dimtsi Hafash (“Voice of the Masses”).
- Newspaper in Tigrinya
- Hadas Eritrea.
- Newspaper in Arabic
- Eritrea Al-Haditha.
- Newspaper in English
- Eritrea Profile.
- Official website
- shabait.com — the website of the Ministry of Information.
- Independent domestic media
- None since 2001.
- Press freedom
- Reporters Without Borders (RSF) ranks Eritrea among the lowest in the world.
- Arabic in the media
- State media include an Arabic-language newspaper.
Institutions
Institutions and national direction
Leadership
Section facts and information — 14 entries
- Head of State
- H.E. Isaias Afwerki — President of the State of Eritrea, who also heads the government.
- In office since
- 1993 (head of state and government).
- Ruling party
- People’s Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ).
- Foreign Affairs
- Osman Saleh Mohammed (list of October 2024).
- Finance and National Development
- Gergis (Giorgis) Teklemichael (list of October 2024).
- Trade and Industry
- Nesredin Mohammed-Saleh (list of October 2024).
- Energy and Mines
- Alem Kibreab (list of October 2024).
- Fisheries and Marine Resources
- Tewolde Kelati (list of October 2024).
- Governor of the Bank of Eritrea
- Kibreab Woldemariam (list of October 2024).
- UN Security Council sanctions
- Lifted on Eritrea in November 2018.
- US sanctions
- In November 2021 the US Treasury (OFAC) designated the defence forces, the ruling party and affiliated commercial entities; the current status is to be checked.
- General investment framework
- The Investment Proclamation of 1994 (reference).
- Free zones
- A free zone has been announced at Massawa (its current status to be confirmed).
- Compliance
- US designations of November 2021 on the defence forces, the ruling party and affiliated commercial entities; their current status must be checked before any transaction.
Topics in this section: Leadership and national direction · Milestones, 2018–2026 · Investment environment: the general framework18910111218
Leadership and national direction
President Isaias Afwerki has led the country since independence in 1993 and combines the presidency of the state and the government, under the ruling party, the People’s Front for Democracy and Justice. No national elections have been held since independence, and the 1997 constitution has not been implemented. 1
State and party-affiliated enterprises are dominant in the economy. Analysis18
Milestones, 2018–2026
2018: peace with Ethiopia (the Jeddah agreement, under the sponsorship of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques). 89101112
2018: the UN Security Council sanctions were lifted. 7
2021: the US designated the defence forces, the ruling party and affiliated commercial entities under its Ethiopia-related sanctions programme (current status to be checked). 7
Investment environment: the general framework
The Investment Proclamation of 1994 (reference), with state and party-affiliated enterprises dominant. 18
Free zones
A free zone has been announced at Massawa (its current status to be confirmed). 18
Compliance
US designations of 2021 on the defence forces, the ruling party and affiliated commercial entities; their current status must be checked before any transaction. 7
Institutions
Official bodies with their roles and official websites. Listing a body here does not make it a partner of the initiative.
Government and institutions 10
Office of the President
Head of state and government.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Foreign affairs.
Ministry of Finance and National Development
Finance and national development.
+7 more
Ministry of Trade and Industry
Trade and industry; the Investment Centre is reported to sit under it (to be confirmed).
Ministry of Energy and Mines
Energy and mines.
Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources
Fisheries and marine resources.
Ministry of Tourism
Tourism.
Ministry of Information
The ministry’s website is shabait.com.
Saudi Embassy in Asmara
An existing channel between the two countries.
Embassy of Eritrea in Riyadh
An existing channel between the two countries.
Investment and finance 1
Bank of Eritrea
Central bank.
Economy
Economy and sectors
Mining projects
The Bisha mine (copper, zinc, gold and silver; Zijin Mining), the Asmara project (a joint venture with the National Mining Corporation) and the Colluli potash project (50% a Chinese group, 50% the National Mining Corporation). 4
What to watch
- The course of relations with Ethiopia and the Assab question.
- The activity of the Council of Arab and African States bordering the Red Sea.
- Progress on the Asmara and Colluli mining projects.
- Any opening in investment and exchange rules.
- The status of the 2021 US sanctions.
Analysis7
The economy at a glance
Growth driven by mining, services, household consumption and public spending (African Development Bank estimates), in an economy dominated by state and party-affiliated enterprises where published official data are scarce. Estimate3
The state’s role in the economy
State and party-affiliated enterprises are dominant. 18
A data gap
There is no published budget, no recent national accounts and no IMF programme; the Fund’s last published consultations date from 2019. Analysis3
Growth drivers
The African Development Bank attributes growth to mining, services, household consumption and public spending. Estimate3
What we know
External estimates of growth, inflation, the deficit and the current account. Analysis3
What we do not know
The size of the budget and the national accounts, because no official accounts are regularly published. Analysis3
Partnerships
Reported projects rest on partnerships with Chinese companies (Bisha, Colluli) and with the National Mining Corporation (Asmara, Colluli). Analysis4
A data gap
The values of mineral exports are not published. Analysis4
Foreign-exchange controls
Foreign-exchange controls are in place and banking is limited (to be confirmed locally). 18
What a Saudi business visitor should know — the economic context
State and party-affiliated enterprises are dominant in the economy (to be confirmed locally). 18
Sectors and areas for cooperation
Established sectors
Mining
Copper, zinc, gold and silver at Bisha.4
Agriculture and livestock
Live animals are the leading Saudi import.13
Trade and services
State and party-affiliated enterprises are dominant in the economy.18
Ports and maritime transport
Tourism
The heritage of Asmara (UNESCO World Heritage) and the Dahlak archipelago.1516
The Asmara mining project
A joint venture with the National Mining Corporation; initial output of 1.5–2 million tonnes of ore a year.4
The Colluli potash project
Shared equally between a Chinese group and the National Mining Corporation; a very long mine life.4
Areas worth studying5
Applies to everything in this group: Area worth studying, not a ready-made opportunity.
Live animals and animal health
Almost the only existing trade flowing from Eritrea to the Kingdom.13
Potash and fertilisers
The Colluli potash project has a very long mine life.4
Building materials, salt and industrial minerals
The largest listed item in Saudi exports is salt, sulphur, earths and stone, and plastering materials.13
Food and staple goods
Saudi exports in July 2026 of cereal and flour preparations.13
Heritage and cultural tourism
Because Eritrea does not regularly publish its national accounts and budget, the dossier relies mainly on African Development Bank estimates and DataSaudi data, and highlights data gaps clearly.
Macroeconomic data: no official national accounts or budget are published, while the African Development Bank’s Eritrea Economic Outlook (2026) provides estimates; the Bank’s estimates were used and all figures are labelled as estimates.
The status of the 2021 US sanctions designations has not been re-checked against the current list; the current status of the designations must be checked before any transaction.
This table is an institutional summary and does not replace legal advice and sanctions-compliance review. Requirements must be verified at the time of decision with the competent bodies. All framework items need local confirmation.
With Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia and Eritrea
A direct link with the Kingdom
Live animals are in practice all of Saudi imports from Eritrea (SAR 4.1 million in 2025), while the Kingdom exports fodder and food-industry residues (SAR 1.4 million). 13
The economic channel
Trade in livestock, food and construction materials, and limited direct investment. 13
A note on the figures
Source: DataSaudi (the General Authority for Statistics). “Other” is the difference from the total. Saudi imports: live animals SAR 4.1 million, and other items are negligible. Analysis13
Section facts and information — 12 entries
- Jeddah Peace Agreement
- Under the sponsorship of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques (2018).
- Red Sea Council
- Founding membership (2020).
- Embassies
- Two resident embassies.
- States of the Red Sea Council
- 8 — since 2020.
- Founding of the Red Sea Council
- Founded in Riyadh on 6 January 2020, with Eritrea among its founding states.
- Saudi exports in 2025
- SAR 11.6 million — main listed items: salt, sulphur and plastering materials, fodder, and vehicles.
- Saudi imports in 2025
- SAR 4.1 million — live animals.
- Saudi direct investment — stock in 2024
- SAR 9.1 million.
- Saudi exports — July 2026
- SAR 4.1 million — a single month.
- Saudi exports in 2025 — salt, sulphur and plastering materials
- SAR 4.5 million.
- Saudi exports in 2025 — fodder and food-industry residues
- SAR 1.4 million.
- Saudi exports in 2025 — vehicles and parts
- SAR 1.1 million.
Milestones
2026
2026-02
President Isaias receives the Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister; discussion of the role of the Red Sea littoral states in regional security. · Unspecified 89101112
2025
2025-03-09
The Eritrean Foreign Minister delivers to the Saudi Foreign Minister a written message from the President to the Crown Prince. · Unspecified 89101112
2020
2020-01-06
Eritrea is one of the eight founding states of the Council of Arab and African States bordering the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, in Riyadh. · Unspecified 89101112
Earlier record (1)
What we do not know yet
- The texts of the cooperation agreements referred to.
- The outcomes of the December 2025 meeting.
- Any recent Saudi development financing in Eritrea.
Media
Media and editorial perspectives
Topics in this section: The media landscape · Television · Radio17
The media landscape
An entirely state-run, multilingual media landscape. 17
Television
Eritrea TV (Eri-TV). 17
Radio
The radio station Dimtsi Hafash (“Voice of the Masses”). 17
The press
Hadas Eritrea in Tigrinya, Eritrea Al-Haditha in Arabic, and Eritrea Profile in English. 17
Official digital presence
The website of the Ministry of Information, shabait.com. 17
The context
There have been no independent domestic media since 2001, and Reporters Without Borders ranks Eritrea among the lowest in the world. 17
Arabic in the media
State media include an Arabic-language newspaper, Eritrea Al-Haditha. Analysis17
Sources
Sources and updates
Sources cited on this page, numbered as they appear next to each item.
Last reviewed: 2026-10-07
This dossier is not legal, financial, investment or security advice. Political and regional facts are presented as they appear in their sources, without evaluation. Last fact check: 6 October 2026.
Ethiopia–Eritrea tensions: the Ethiopian government accuses Eritrea of incursions and of supporting armed groups, while the Eritrean government describes the allegations as “patently false and fabricated”; both positions are attributed to their holders without endorsement.
List of officials: the CIA World Leaders list (October 2024) was used, and no newer consolidated official list was found; the names should be re-verified before being relied upon.
Population: the UN estimate is about 3.5–3.7 million and no census is published; an estimate of about 3.5 million was used and labelled as an estimate.
The visa regime for Saudi passports and direct flights have not been confirmed and should be confirmed before any travel; the regional situation changes fast. Last fact check: 6 October 2026.
This file was prepared from scratch, without copying earlier files, in this order: research, evidence documentation, analysis and editorial construction, then a final check of fast-changing information. Eritrea does not regularly publish national accounts or a budget, so African Development Bank estimates were used and the figures labelled as estimates. The available list of officials dates from October 2024, and the parties’ positions in the tension with Ethiopia are attributed to their holders. Main sources in the evidence register: DataSaudi (General Authority for Statistics); the African Development Bank (2026); CIA World Leaders; the US Treasury (2021); Reporters Without Borders; UNCTAD; the World Bank; UNESCO; Arab News; Al Arabiya; Riyadh Daily; Shabait via Africa.com; AllAfrica, News24 and Capmad. No Eritrea-specific project files were supplied for this edition. Last fact check: 6 October 2026.
Source register (19)
- 1
CIA World Leaders (7 Oct 2024); general reference
Head of State & Government — 03 Leadership
Official · Published 2024-10-07 · Accessed 2026-10-06
Cited in: The axes in brief: Institutional context · Institutional context · Head of State · In office since · Ruling party · Office of the President
- 2
CIA World Leaders (7 Oct 2024)
Official · Published 2024-10-07 · Accessed 2026-10-06
Cited in: Massawa and Assab · Institutional context · Foreign Affairs · Finance and National Development · Trade and Industry · Energy and Mines · Fisheries and Marine Resources · Governor of the Bank of Eritrea · Central bank · Ministry of Foreign Affairs · Ministry of Finance and National Development · Ministry of Trade and Industry · Ministry of Energy and Mines · Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources · Ministry of Tourism · Bank of Eritrea · Ministry of Information
- 3
African Development Bank — Eritrea Economic Outlook (2026)
International · Published 2026 · Accessed 2026-10-06
Cited in: General context · The axes in brief: Economy & Investment · The brief · A relationship at summit level · A balanced reading · The economy at a glance · A data gap · Growth drivers · Why this matters to the investor · What we know · What we do not know · Institutional context · Growth in 2025 — estimate · Real GDP growth in 2024 · Real GDP growth in 2025 · Real GDP growth in 2026 · Real GDP growth in 2027 · Inflation in 2024 · Inflation in 2025 · Inflation in 2026 · Inflation in 2027 · Current-account surplus in 2025 · Current-account surplus in 2024 · External debt / GDP · Fiscal deficit in 2024 · Fiscal deficit in 2025 · Fiscal deficit in 2026 · The IMF
- 4
Capmad (7–9 Jun 2026)
Media · Published 2026-06-09 · Accessed 2026-10-06
Cited in: The axes in brief: People & Society · Why Eritrea deserves to be understood · Mineral resources · Contrasting regions — the Danakil · The axes in brief: Economy & Investment · The brief · Mining projects · What to watch · A balanced reading · Partnerships · A data gap · Compliance · Institutional context · Mining projects reported · ENAMCO share at Colluli · Bisha · Bisha — output · Bisha — reserves (2023) · Asmara (Debarwa) · Asmara — output · Colluli · Expansion — Hambok · National Mining Corporation (ENAMCO) · Mining · The Asmara mining project · The Colluli potash project · Potash and fertilisers
- 5
AllAfrica (23 Feb 2026)
Ethiopia–Eritrea tensions — 03/04 Regional context
Media · Published 2026-02-23 · Accessed 2026-10-06
Cited in: General context · The axes in brief: Economy & Investment · The brief · Regional context · What to watch · Massawa and Assab · Regional relations · The context · Institutional context
- 6
News24 (16 Jan 2026)
Ethiopia–Eritrea tensions — 03/04 Regional context
Media · Published 2026-02-23 · Accessed 2026-10-06
Cited in: General context · The axes in brief: Economy & Investment · The brief · Regional context · What to watch · Massawa and Assab · Regional relations · The context · Institutional context
- 7
OFAC recent actions (12 Nov 2021); Federal Register (29 Nov 2021)
US sanctions (2021) — 03/16 Sanctions
Official · Published 2021-11-12 · Accessed 2026-10-06
Cited in: General context · What this means in practice · What to watch · A balanced reading · Why this matters to the investor · Compliance · Institutional context · UN Security Council sanctions · US sanctions
- 8
Al Arabiya / Arab News (Sep 2018); Arab News (6 Jan 2020); Shabait via Africa.com (Nov 2023; Feb 2026); Riyadh Daily (Mar 2025); Arab News (10 Dec 2025)
High-level contacts — 18 Saudi relations
Media · Published 2026-02-13 · Accessed 2026-10-06
Cited in: The axes in brief: People & Society · Why Eritrea deserves to be understood · The Red Sea · A Saudi role in peace · What this means in practice · The axes in brief: Economy & Investment · The brief · A relationship at summit level · What to watch · The Red Sea Council · The axes in brief: Relations with Saudi Arabia · Saudi–Eritrean relations · Existing channels · A reading · The political channel · The security channel · The axes in brief: Institutional context · Institutional context · Regional framework — the Red Sea Council · Jeddah Peace Agreement · Red Sea Council · States of the Red Sea Council · Founding of the Red Sea Council · President Isaias receives the Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister; discussion of the role of the Red Sea littoral states in regional security. · The Eritrean Foreign Minister delivers to the Saudi Foreign Minister a written message from the President to the Crown Prince. · Eritrea is one of the eight founding states of the Council of Arab and African States bordering the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, in Riyadh. · The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques sponsors in Jeddah the signing of the peace agreement between Eritrea and Ethiopia, and decorates President Isaias and Prime Minister Abiy with the Order of King Abdulaziz. · President Isaias takes part in the Saudi–Africa Summit in Riyadh. · The Crown Prince receives President Isaias at Al-Yamamah Palace.
- 9
Al Arabiya / Arab News (Sep 2018); Arab News (6 Jan 2020); Shabait via Africa.com (Nov 2023; Feb 2026); Riyadh Daily (Mar 2025); Arab News (10 Dec 2025)
High-level contacts — 18 Saudi relations
Media · Published 2026-02-13 · Accessed 2026-10-06
Cited in: The axes in brief: People & Society · Why Eritrea deserves to be understood · The Red Sea · A Saudi role in peace · What this means in practice · The axes in brief: Economy & Investment · The brief · A relationship at summit level · What to watch · The Red Sea Council · The axes in brief: Relations with Saudi Arabia · Saudi–Eritrean relations · Existing channels · A reading · The political channel · The security channel · The axes in brief: Institutional context · Institutional context · Regional framework — the Red Sea Council · Jeddah Peace Agreement · Red Sea Council · States of the Red Sea Council · Founding of the Red Sea Council · President Isaias receives the Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister; discussion of the role of the Red Sea littoral states in regional security. · The Eritrean Foreign Minister delivers to the Saudi Foreign Minister a written message from the President to the Crown Prince. · Eritrea is one of the eight founding states of the Council of Arab and African States bordering the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, in Riyadh. · The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques sponsors in Jeddah the signing of the peace agreement between Eritrea and Ethiopia, and decorates President Isaias and Prime Minister Abiy with the Order of King Abdulaziz. · President Isaias takes part in the Saudi–Africa Summit in Riyadh. · The Crown Prince receives President Isaias at Al-Yamamah Palace.
- 10
Al Arabiya / Arab News (Sep 2018); Arab News (6 Jan 2020); Shabait via Africa.com (Nov 2023; Feb 2026); Riyadh Daily (Mar 2025); Arab News (10 Dec 2025)
High-level contacts — 18 Saudi relations
Media · Published 2026-02-13 · Accessed 2026-10-06
Cited in: The axes in brief: People & Society · Why Eritrea deserves to be understood · The Red Sea · A Saudi role in peace · What this means in practice · The axes in brief: Economy & Investment · The brief · A relationship at summit level · What to watch · The Red Sea Council · The axes in brief: Relations with Saudi Arabia · Saudi–Eritrean relations · Existing channels · A reading · The political channel · The security channel · The axes in brief: Institutional context · Institutional context · Regional framework — the Red Sea Council · Jeddah Peace Agreement · Red Sea Council · States of the Red Sea Council · Founding of the Red Sea Council · President Isaias receives the Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister; discussion of the role of the Red Sea littoral states in regional security. · The Eritrean Foreign Minister delivers to the Saudi Foreign Minister a written message from the President to the Crown Prince. · Eritrea is one of the eight founding states of the Council of Arab and African States bordering the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, in Riyadh. · The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques sponsors in Jeddah the signing of the peace agreement between Eritrea and Ethiopia, and decorates President Isaias and Prime Minister Abiy with the Order of King Abdulaziz. · President Isaias takes part in the Saudi–Africa Summit in Riyadh. · The Crown Prince receives President Isaias at Al-Yamamah Palace.
- 11
Al Arabiya / Arab News (Sep 2018); Arab News (6 Jan 2020); Shabait via Africa.com (Nov 2023; Feb 2026); Riyadh Daily (Mar 2025); Arab News (10 Dec 2025)
High-level contacts — 18 Saudi relations
Media · Published 2026-02-13 · Accessed 2026-10-06
Cited in: The axes in brief: People & Society · Why Eritrea deserves to be understood · The Red Sea · A Saudi role in peace · What this means in practice · The axes in brief: Economy & Investment · The brief · A relationship at summit level · What to watch · The Red Sea Council · The axes in brief: Relations with Saudi Arabia · Saudi–Eritrean relations · Existing channels · A reading · The political channel · The security channel · The axes in brief: Institutional context · Institutional context · Regional framework — the Red Sea Council · Jeddah Peace Agreement · Red Sea Council · States of the Red Sea Council · Founding of the Red Sea Council · President Isaias receives the Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister; discussion of the role of the Red Sea littoral states in regional security. · The Eritrean Foreign Minister delivers to the Saudi Foreign Minister a written message from the President to the Crown Prince. · Eritrea is one of the eight founding states of the Council of Arab and African States bordering the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, in Riyadh. · The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques sponsors in Jeddah the signing of the peace agreement between Eritrea and Ethiopia, and decorates President Isaias and Prime Minister Abiy with the Order of King Abdulaziz. · President Isaias takes part in the Saudi–Africa Summit in Riyadh. · The Crown Prince receives President Isaias at Al-Yamamah Palace.
- 12
Al Arabiya / Arab News (Sep 2018); Arab News (6 Jan 2020); Shabait via Africa.com (Nov 2023; Feb 2026); Riyadh Daily (Mar 2025); Arab News (10 Dec 2025)
High-level contacts — 18 Saudi relations
Official · Published 2026-02-13 · Accessed 2026-10-06
Cited in: The axes in brief: People & Society · Why Eritrea deserves to be understood · The Red Sea · A Saudi role in peace · What this means in practice · The axes in brief: Economy & Investment · The brief · A relationship at summit level · What to watch · The Red Sea Council · The axes in brief: Relations with Saudi Arabia · Saudi–Eritrean relations · Existing channels · A reading · The political channel · The security channel · The axes in brief: Institutional context · Institutional context · Regional framework — the Red Sea Council · Jeddah Peace Agreement · Red Sea Council · States of the Red Sea Council · Founding of the Red Sea Council · President Isaias receives the Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister; discussion of the role of the Red Sea littoral states in regional security. · The Eritrean Foreign Minister delivers to the Saudi Foreign Minister a written message from the President to the Crown Prince. · Eritrea is one of the eight founding states of the Council of Arab and African States bordering the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, in Riyadh. · The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques sponsors in Jeddah the signing of the peace agreement between Eritrea and Ethiopia, and decorates President Isaias and Prime Minister Abiy with the Order of King Abdulaziz. · President Isaias takes part in the Saudi–Africa Summit in Riyadh. · The Crown Prince receives President Isaias at Al-Yamamah Palace.
- 13
DataSaudi (GASTAT)
Trade & FDI (DataSaudi) — 18 Saudi relations
Official · Published 2026 · Accessed 2026-10-06
Cited in: The axes in brief: Relations with Saudi Arabia · A direct link with the Kingdom · A reading · The economic channel · A note on the figures · Saudi exports in 2025 · Saudi imports in 2025 · Saudi direct investment — stock in 2024 · Saudi exports — July 2026 · Saudi exports in 2025 — salt, sulphur and plastering materials · Saudi exports in 2025 — fodder and food-industry residues · Saudi exports in 2025 — vehicles and parts · Agriculture and livestock · Live animals and animal health · Building materials, salt and industrial minerals · Food and staple goods
- 14
Shabait via Africa.com (9 Nov 2023)
Diplomatic presence — 18 Saudi relations
Official · Published 2023-11-09 · Accessed 2026-10-06
Cited in: The axes in brief: Relations with Saudi Arabia · Existing channels · Embassies · Saudi Embassy in Asmara · Embassy of Eritrea in Riyadh
- 15
World Bank Data (country profile); UNESCO World Heritage Centre; UN DESA estimate
Basic facts — 01/05 Snapshot & Geography
International · Accessed 2026-10-06
Cited in: The axes in brief: People & Society · Why Eritrea deserves to be understood · The Red Sea · What this means in practice · Contrasting regions — Massawa and Dahlak · Contrasting regions — the Danakil · Religion · Methodological note · Modernist Asmara · A balanced reading · Massawa and Assab · The nakfa and the exchange rate · Languages · Institutional context · Population — UN estimate · Red Sea coast · Capital · UNESCO World Heritage · Area · Currency · Independence · Regional framework — the Arab League · Time zone · Ports · Exchange · Asmara · Dahlak · Ports and maritime transport · Tourism · Heritage and cultural tourism
- 16
World Bank Data (country profile); UNESCO World Heritage Centre; UN DESA estimate
Basic facts — 01/05 Snapshot & Geography
International · Accessed 2026-10-06
Cited in: The axes in brief: People & Society · Why Eritrea deserves to be understood · The Red Sea · What this means in practice · Contrasting regions — Massawa and Dahlak · Contrasting regions — the Danakil · Religion · Methodological note · Modernist Asmara · A balanced reading · Massawa and Assab · The nakfa and the exchange rate · Languages · Institutional context · Population — UN estimate · Red Sea coast · Capital · UNESCO World Heritage · Area · Currency · Independence · Regional framework — the Arab League · Time zone · Ports · Exchange · Asmara · Dahlak · Ports and maritime transport · Tourism · Heritage and cultural tourism
- 17
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) country page
Media · Published 2026 · Accessed 2026-10-06
Cited in: General context · The axes in brief: Media & Stories · The media landscape · Television · Radio · The press · Official digital presence · The context · Arabic in the media · National television · Newspaper in Tigrinya · Newspaper in Arabic · Newspaper in English · Official website · Independent domestic media · Press freedom · Ministry of Information
- 18
UNCTAD Investment Laws Navigator (Investment Proclamation No. 59/1994)
Investment framework — 16 Investment
International · Accessed 2026-10-06
Cited in: General context · What this means in practice · A relationship at summit level · What to watch · A balanced reading · The state’s role in the economy · Foreign-exchange controls · What a Saudi business visitor should know — the economic context · The axes in brief: Institutional context · Institutional context · ENAMCO share at Colluli · Exchange · General investment framework · Free zones · Ministry of Trade and Industry · National Mining Corporation (ENAMCO) · Trade and services
- 19
World Bank
World Development Indicators: Eritrea
International · Published 2026-07-13 · Accessed 2026-10-07
Cited in: Population · GDP · GDP per capita · GDP growth · Urban population · Population under 15 · Life expectancy · Access to electricity · Internet users
Djibouti
Ethiopia