Interview:President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh Where do infrastructure projects fit into Djibouti’s development plans, and how can these be financed in a sustainable way? ISMAÏL OMARGUELLEH: Our economy has been expanding since 2005 with its growth rate rising from 3% some years ago to 6% today. This growth has been driven primarily by the tertiary and services sector. Under the Vision Djibouti…
Interview:Carlos Lopes What are the obstacles to increasing economic integration in the Horn of Africa? CARLOS LOPES: One obvious obstacle is the question of stabilisation in Somalia. Regional peace and security is a prerequisite for greater economic integration. But in areas like cross-border cooperation on energy, or trade facilitation, enormous progress has been made. The benefit of deepening…
Interview:Mahdi Darrar Obsieh What measures can be taken to encourage foreign enterprises to set up shop in Djibouti? MAHDI DARRAROBSIEH: The government’s strategy to attract investors has led to a growth in foreign direct investment (FDI) and to a diversification of these investments, which were traditionally oriented towards the port and corresponding logistics infrastructure. In…
Interview:Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh How can Djibouti implement an economic model that is inclusive and reduces poverty? ILYAS MOUSSADAWALEH: To guarantee sustainable and long-term economic development, we have to focus on the realisation of Djibouti Vision 2035, which emphasises the expansion of the country’s soft and hard infrastructure. Where there were none, we have now built schools,…
Interview:Christian Boucher What challenges does the expansion in the freight-forwarding sector pose in providing adequate cargo insurance coverage? CHRISTIAN BOUCHER: Although the demand for insurance services in the transport sector has definitely increased, the capacity and tools to provide sufficient coverage are present. Specific insurances adapted to international maritime transport and…
Interview:Youssef Dawaleh How can cooperation between local enterprises and international investors be strengthened? YOUSSEFDAWALEH: It is important to highlight that beyond arbitration, the Chamber of Commerce is willing to encourage the participation of the local private sector in on-going big investment projects in Djibouti, and, more specifically, those related to transport infrastructure.…
Interview:Jean-Pierre Gianotti What measures can be taken to increase the population’s access to banking services? JEAN-PIERRE GIANOTTI: The percentage of Djiboutians currently making use of banking services stands at around 20%, compared to 15% three years ago. Although this number is low, mainly due to the persistence of a cash culture, efforts have been undertaken to allow people easier…
Interview:Ahmed Osman What specific measures can be taken to enhance access to credit for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Djibouti? AHMED OSMAN: It is important to keep in mind that the majority of SMEs in Djibouti are of a commercial nature and have historically been underfunded. The local banking sector is highly liquid and has the means to finance SMEs. In fact, a specific mechanism…
Interview:Aboubaker Omar Hadi How is Djibouti financing the large capital investments required for its port upgrades? ABOUBAKER OMAR HADI: Djibouti’s economic growth in recent years has been the result, in large part, of increased activity in the transport sector, and specifically the volume of traffic coming through – and the performance of – the ports. Djibouti is not only well-placed…
Interview:Moussa Ahmed Hassan What are the main developments that are occurring in Djibouti’s transport sector? MOUSSA AHMED HASSAN: Our vision is to construct an integrated logistical ecosystem in Djibouti to optimise the transportation of goods and build our status as the main gateway to East Africa. First, the construction of a new railway connecting Addis-Ababa to Djibouti, extending…
