Nation Building from the Ruins: A Glimpse into Eritrea’s Journey

By Bereket Tekle

I recently visited my beloved country, Eritrea, for two deeply personal reasons: to spend quality time with my 92-year-old mother, and to witness firsthand how Eritrea is progressing in its nation-building journey.
From the outset, the time I spent with my mother was priceless. It was a powerful reminder that such moments are not guaranteed forever. I encourage everyone in the diaspora with elderly parents to make that trip—be present, sit with them, listen, and share time. It is one of the greatest gifts you can give your parents, and in return, it brings a deep sense of joy and renewed energy to your own life. I am truly grateful that I made that decision.

Observing Nation Building on the Ground

Assessing a nation’s progress in just a month is no easy task. However, traveling across different parts of Eritrea and engaging with ordinary citizens offers a meaningful glimpse into the reality on the ground.

What I witnessed left a lasting impression.
I was genuinely mesmerized by the dedication and selflessness of the Eritrean people—men and women working tirelessly to build their nation from the ground up. There is a quiet determination, a shared sense of responsibility, and a collective commitment that is difficult to fully capture in words.
It filled me with deep gratitude for both the people and the leadership who continue to rebuild and safeguard the nation—transforming it from the ruins of war into one of the most stable and secure countries in the Horn of Africa.

A Vision Foretold
My experience reminded me of the words of Abdulrahman Mohamed Babu, the renowned Tanzanian intellectual and Pan-Africanist who supported liberation movements across Africa.
During his visit to Eritrea in the 1980s, at the height of the armed struggle, Babu observed something extraordinary. He famously stated:
“Eritrea’s present is the remote future of others… I am not ashamed to admit that I have been overwhelmed by what I saw.”
He went even further, describing Eritrea as a glimpse into Africa’s future:
“I have seen the future of Africa, and it works.”
Babu’s words were not merely praise for a liberation movement. They reflected a deeper understanding—that Eritrea represented a model of self-reliance, disciplined organization, and people-driven progress. What he saw decades ago was not just a struggle for independence, but the foundation of a nation being built with purpose and resilience.
Today, one cannot help but feel that what Babu envisioned is steadily unfolding.

Concrete Signs of Progress
While challenges remain—as they do for any developing nation—there are tangible signs of progress across key sectors:

Education:
Eritrea has made notable strides in expanding access to education. Schools have been built in rural and urban areas alike, and literacy rates have improved significantly over the years. Institutions such as the Eritrean Institute of Technology have become centers for developing the country’s future professionals in science, engineering, and education.

Healthcare:
Access to basic healthcare has improved, with clinics and hospitals reaching communities that once had little to no medical services. Eritrea has also been recognized for progress in maternal and child health, significantly reducing mortality rates through community-based healthcare programs and preventative care.

Infrastructure:
Road networks connecting major cities and remote areas have expanded, improving mobility, trade, and national cohesion. Investments in dams, water systems, and energy projects are gradually strengthening the country’s capacity for sustainable development.

A Nation Built from Within
What stands out most is that Eritrea’s development is being driven largely from within. It is rooted in a culture of resilience, shaped by decades of struggle, and sustained by a strong sense of national identity.
This is not a story of overnight transformation. It is a steady, deliberate process—one that prioritizes independence, stability, and long-term sustainability over short-term gains.

Final Reflection
Eritrea’s journey is still unfolding. Like any nation, it faces its own set of challenges. But what I witnessed during my visit was a country moving forward with determination, guided by the same spirit that carried it through its struggle for independence.

In many ways, Babu’s words still echo today.
What he saw then as the “future” is not fully realized—but it is no longer distant. It is taking shape, step by step, through the efforts of a resilient people committed to building their nation from the ruins.