Former President Mohamed Nasheed has proposed the creation of a new economic trade route linking Addu City with Kenya and Indonesia, describing it as a potential “green economic corridor” across the Indian Ocean.
In a video posted on X last night, Nasheed said Addu’s strategic location in the middle of the Indian Ocean presents a major opportunity.
“Africa is on one side and Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore on the other,” he said, noting that the Indian Ocean is a key global shipping route used to transport goods between continents.
Nasheed suggested establishing a corridor connecting Mombasa, Addu and Jakarta.
“I think the best place to start this corridor is Mombasa in Kenya, then Addu and Jakarta in Indonesia. If you look at the map of the Indian Ocean, you will understand what I am saying,” he said.
Under the proposal, Addu would function as a transshipment hub. Containers from Mombasa would be transported by smaller vessels to Addu, where goods would be offloaded. Ships from Jakarta would do the same, with returning vessels carrying cargo transferred from the opposite side.
Nasheed said the corridor should be developed as a “green” initiative, powered by renewable energy and designed with environmental considerations at its core.
“As a green corridor, I mean everything should be done with renewable energy and with consideration for the environment,” he said.
Nasheed said he recently met Kenyan President William Ruto and shared the proposal. According to Nasheed, Ruto expressed interest and instructed his ministers to explore its feasibility.
Nasheed added that he would also seek cooperation from the Maldivian government and authorities in Jakarta to advance the initiative.
