Infrastructure, Development and Geopolitics: A Case Study of LAPSSET Corridor. (Contested Terrains)

The LAPSSET corridor is an ambitious infrastructure project that promises regional integration, to safeguard the environment and bolster security and to provide opportunity for economic growth and wealth creation. This study will focus on Kenya and Ethiopia, two states that seek to be regional hegemonies in the Horn of Africa. This study adopted a secondary research method of data collection based on surveys, literature review, published reports, conventions, declarations, regional charters, and global initiatives. The debate on the role of infrastructure in Africa or developing countries is an ongoing one As Kenya continues to uphold its vision of the implementation of LAPSSET, the following issues have been observed; Firstly, states involved will need to take measures to avoid the dreaded oil curse, both at the national and local levels in order to experience the full benefit of the project. Secondly, ambitious Infrastructure projects may easily consume massive funding and leads a country to unmanageable debt thereby making it difficult for the project to realize its ambitions for economic growth. Thirdly, there is usually an upsurge of corruption during the construction of physical infrastructure. Fourthly, issues of land and territorial integrity and land are at the heart of infrastructure development when considering indigenous peoples rights. Fifthly, regional integration will encourage partnership and is important for economic access and cross border relations. Sixthly, Conflict and security must remain high on each state's agenda for minimum implementation interruptions infrastructure appears to exacerbate conflicts. Lastly, human Rights are part of social infrastructure and it is the responsibility of the state to protect them as they construct physical infrastructure.