PENRESA FOCUS ON

FEBRUARY 2020 EDITION

in partnership with

H.E. Ismail Omar Guelleh President of Djibouti Hon. Yonis Ali Guedi Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Hon. Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh Minister of Economics and Finance Ahmed Osman Ali Governor of the Central Bank of Djibouti

[email protected] www.penresa.com and did not involve the reporting and editing staff of of staff editing thirdparty.any and reporting the involve not did and by produced and sponsored is report This its Vision2035,Djiboutiisnotafraidoftakingbolddecisions. Infrastructures, finance,greenenergy:setonimplementing Of Tomorrow On TheShores Djibouti THIS REPORT WAS POSSIBLE THANKS TO: THANKS POSSIBLE WAS THIS REPORT In partnershipwith N PENRESA

h mnst rm h pbi sco to sector public the from mindset the shift to dynamic new a nurturing at aim targetedinterventions “Our in the business Finance. environment and Economics of Minister Djibouti’s Dawaleh, Moussa Ilyas Hon. explains programme,” reform Djiboutiof hasengaged ambitiousintoan government“TheReport. Business Doing of Ease Bank2018 Worldthe in position pace,99th the2017 to154th in incrediblefrom jumping an at forward leaping Arabian is Djibouti , of the Gulf the through Sea into bends seeps Sea gradually Red and the where just ofAfrica, Horn the of side upper the on estled i cro rnprain “f o wn to want and you transportation: “If sea cargo air for hub ideal an Rwanda, and , like countries for nearby gateway a be to poised naturally is Ali, Osman Ahmed Governor of the Central Bank of Djibouti. states inter-payment thesystem,” modern implementing for infrastructures are we the world, with interconnection its as the well as promote “To Djibouti, in system the modernisation of years. fifteen the next within jobs 200,000 over and GDP creating capita per the income consistent tripling growth, diversifying ensuring at economy, aimed strategy employment createinstead of looking for one.” initiative, private From a logistics point of view, Djiboutiview, of pointlogistics a From government’s the is 2035 Vision think outside of the box. nevertoafraid is and keepforwardgoing ambitious goal for a country that wants to another yet revolution: green the a of on verge is Djibouti energy. imported on dependence country’s the decrease and renewablewith sources,pollutionfightto energyitsdemand100% of meet to aims energy supply: the government of Djibouti boldchoices, especially comestowhenit itspopulation obviouslyis bound tomake for future richer and stronger a building in the northern region of the country. constructionunder are Furtherterminals tonnes.million 8 overcapacity annualof an capacityforhandling of TEUs and22,000 area total of hectares 690 cranes, quaylength,metresofPort: 200 16 quay Multi-purpose Doraleh the is lineup port impressive Djibouti’s to addition latest cargos, of constructionmaterials.Theto sorts fuels from all handle to the country allowing onwards, 2006 from built in aquick and cost-efficient way. nearbyshippedtocountries be to airport Djibouti the to transferredconveniently cargos entering the country by sea can be investing in interconnectivity to ensure all nationalflagcarrier airline.The country is Djibouti,the Air of OfficerExecutiveChief have must Ali, Abdourahmanconnectivity,” explains you country, your develop cuty o epy omte to committed deeply so country A Newterminals have been progressively

FEBRUARY 2020

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DJIBOUTI - Africa’s Gateway To The East DJIBOUTI - Africa’s Gateway To The East 4 |FORBES AFRICA• Ministers RoundTable introduced date palms specific for Djibouti. which laboratory produces fourthMedjool the dates are in this way. We we are proud world, to the have In varieties. best the palms datefrom cells. produce It has can taken weus 5-6 years, that discoveredand we have have chosen we and research thedonehave we Djibouti.So, in heredatehavepalms not do we that problemis The10-20shoots. you give will palm date a life,its all in grow,and takestoyearseighttree One it. have is very difficult to get this variety: California, Israel and Morocco kg of Medjool is about $US30. It is the highest price for a fruit. It lota are of varieties, and the best variety calledis Medjool. One example One thatis livestock.we have laboratorya and here for date horticulturepalms. There greenhouse palms, date are The best three activities for Djibouti (because of saline ground) arid rivers. no have we and averageyear150mmper on an is rainfall hasThestones. black with desert a Djiboutiless or more is .ecosystem;it sustainable on focused Awaleh: Hon. create job and wealth. toopportunities thebigger the is, market thebigger the that rapprochementbetween countries community.and Webelieve opportunities,createswealth,jobintra-African trade,itthe up thathaveframework,stepyouthatfacilityWhenand boost to economy.the ofengine thebecause markettradeis common Trade Free ContinentalAgreement African (AfCFTA). It theis vital for signed African countries also to create has that Djibouti people. of livelihood the change help will that years 20 next the over development plan our is 2035 Vision opportunities. investment,thebecauseinvestment jobof moremeansmore investment theirprotected.volumetheboostis will thathope itWe that investors reassure to framework legal a need You Convention.ICSID the signed hasDjibouti women. and people youngopportunitiescompelledseekfor to are we why Thatis creation.job in theneducation and in opportunities. First, job Youssouf: Hon. What big isyourministry project now? onright focused Minister ofEconomicsandFinanceHon.Guedi,Energy&Water. Cooperation, Hon.Awaleh, MinisterofAgriculture, Livestock, &Fisheries,Hon.Dawaleh, International and Affairs Foreign of Minister Youssouf, Hon. with down sat Penresa Through AWorldPlatform Developing And Connecting Djibouti h Mnsr i ivle i svrl projects several in involved is Ministry The FEBRUARY 2020 We need to speed up the process of creatingof process the up speed to need We and Finance Economics of Minister Dawaleh, Moussa Ilyas Hon. Cooperation International Affairs and of Foreign Minister Ali Youssouf, Hon. Mahmoud are transport, flow of information and capital. cable the since encompassing Ethiopia, Africa runs through and Djibouti. So, Somaliland our focus areas Djibouti, not for cables,only submarine telecommunication since seven information, and have capital of we flow the of hub the want be We to Djibouti. in money their put should region African Easternthedollar.thepeople peggedin on All is currency our since money, for hub a be to want we becauseDjibouti and COMESA between capital of finance, and information of flow thehandle tointend also We world.the tocountries from COMESA goods of flow the deliver We trains. have we ports, six have infrastructure.We the and airport the is air, Djiboutithe port, of the economy the of force driving The Djibouti. for macro-economicthe All 70%.indicatorsreasonableat are is it now while debt, high very a had we past the in level; good a comfortable.is whichatnow6-7%,payment Thebalance ofis Dawaleh: Hon. the see, can energy you revolution As inDjibouti months. iscoming. three to two in project the for documentsthe all finalise will thatwehope we andstep first of 30 MW solar station on the site of Grand Bara. This will be the Wehave already signed with EngieAfrique for the development French The energy. company solar Engie contacted developed us for a first project also for solar energy. have We energy. April/Mayin 2020,sowithstart the production will we wind of months,12 is projectthe technology.Completionof usingGerman produced, being already are windmills the now, of As FinancialAfricanCooperationenergyGhoubet.withwind in of MW 60 productionof the negotiationsfinalise toof year one all signed have concernedenergyafteris windnecessary We contracts as far production. as the step, next the to move to going are we Now,metres. 2,600 of depth a at done were drillings threeThe confirmed. projectwas Fialethe energyin end of April/beginning of May 2019, thethe presenceatgeothermal, but projectin of real geothermal a hadneverenergy. We geothermal and wind like energy of forms otherdeveloping Hon. Guedi: We are working toward 100% green energy. We are The growth over the past five years has been has years five past the over growthThe & Fisheries Livestock, Agriculture, Minister of Ahmed Awaleh, Hon. Mohamed Resources and Natural of Energy Minister Ali Guedi, Yonis Hon. Djibouti’smodernisation itsof economy depends upon open trade, 177.71exchangefixedofrate a atdollar US theto Djiboutifrancs, pegged francDjibouti the nation’s Withgrowth.theboosting GDP and (FDI) investment direct foreign in providing annually million funds, US$240 of transference and conversion exchange, the foreign including on restriction of lack complete its been has subjecttosustained growthprosperity.and crucialA factor tothis thedecade,Overpast Djibouti’s -based economy hasbeen aim tosecure itsstableoutcome. and cateringtofinancialinclusion implementing Islamicbanking including improving easeof business, Djibouti’s financial strategies Financial Horizon Modernising Djibouti’s Expanding And With alackofrestrictiononFDI,Djibouti’seconomyissettotakeoff first thing is the modernisation of the banking system in Djibouti,systemmodernisationbankingin thethe is of thing first of Central Bank of Djibouti. “So, we have developed a lot of ideas. The Governorcountry,”promotiontheAli,therelates Osman ofAhmed policy,everywhere,liketheofmeasures placepart in is putforwe finance as ofpart its core strategy in financial inclusion. “Monetary recentyears,providing continentthe roadmaptheIslamicwithon invest here, especially due to our political stability.” Bankagrees, “Djiboutihub otherforlikea is and investors tocome and expansion financial on doors opportunity. Abdulraqeb the F.A open Salem, General Manager flung of Saba African has Djibouti year.”strategyupdateeverythe to is fifth theinclusion,financial financing of public and private economy, the fourth is to ameliorate promotetheto is thirdthe banking,attract more to is secondthe Deputy General Manager of the Bank of Africa. Ocahoumare,David Comlan business,”explains a creationof the todayCommerce,facilitateswhichof Code andProcedure Civil of Code new the with reforms law considerablein someefforts put ease of doing business ranking in 2018. “The President himself has doingof business, jumping from 154th to 99ththe in World Bank’s financial, transit, trading and logistic hub.” a be appreciated.will well Wevery is country andthe stability location,ofthe strategic very a has “Djibouti Bank. International CAC area,”the biggeststatesofAl-Dheeb, ZoneHamidFree CEOin Ahmed the have “We Zone. Free its and breaks taxsubstantial The government has worked hard to improve the nation’stheimprove easeto hard workedgovernment Thehas Djibouti’s banking sector has also experienced rapid expansion in FEBRUARY 2020 Finance

• FORBES AFRICA |5

DJIBOUTI - Africa’s Gateway To The East DJIBOUTI - Africa’s Gateway To The East Afreximbank FocusonDjibouti 6 |FORBES AFRICA• US$13.4 billion as at 31 December 2018. It is rated BBB+ (GCR), Baa1 (Moody’s) and BBB- (Fitch). The Bank is headquartered in . in headquartered is TheBank (Fitch). BBB- and Baa1(Moody’s) 312018. at December (GCR), as ratedBBB+ US$13.4is billion It operations.Since 1994, it has approved more than US$67 internationalEstablishmentbillionan thestatusdocumentsoftheorganisation, in arecredit Agreement,Charter,itcorporategoverns thegivesfacilities its whichwhich and structure and for African businesses, including US$7.2 trade.billion inThe 2018. Bank wasestablished Afreximbank Octoberin had 1993total byAfricanassets governments, of African TheAfricanprivateExport-Import andinstitutional (Afreximbank)Bank theforemostis pan-African investors multilateral andnon-African financial institutioninvestors. devotedIts financing twotobasic promotingand constitutive intra-extra-Africanand A FEBRUARY 2020 becoming a key logistics hub for the continent. the for hub logistics key a becoming regionbutacross Africa, asthecountry themoves intoward only impact, not an make to country andthe are very impressive and have the potentialinfrastructure to development transform plans initiated Djibouti by logistics infrastructure.transport and and trade The theBank’s CONTOUR facility and expansion ofDjibouti’s world-class amenities tourism of under fundingarrangement Bank’s with renewal KFW, the the German through infrastructure development of energy development bank, country’s the the includingpriorities, of support in programmesfinance economic deploy players order Bank’s to the in trade international African and other with them link would worktowith public andprivate entities Djiboutiin and economy the such of as areas tourism new and investment. in flourish its also will toadvantage. It position geographic important its leverage further to able been Afreximbank, Djibouti has from manufacturing.exportfinancingof areain help With promoteand finance Djibouti’s industrial sector thein to helped also renewable has bank energy.and The traderelated infrastructure theandareaslogisticsof stated thatGuelleh this partnership Omar will help the Ismaïl country advance President its agreement, the commencementpartnership.thesigningtheof of At EstablishmentBank Agreement2016 in markingthe bigger role within the Afreximbank portfolio. financebankAfrica,for Djibouti plays increasinglyan passing close to Djibouti. With the Canal,vision Suez tocommercial traverse the through goods be the trade all of 20% exportsandworld’s oilthe Tenpercent of world’stheplayalongtoofone busiest trade routes. YemenAfricansmallthestrategicnationgives a role and Canal Suez the southern entrance toStrait, the Mandeb the proximity to its Aden, of Gulf thealong location Djibouti’s Africa, of Horn the in nation small programmes insupportofthecountry’seconomicpriorities. entities in Djibouti in order to deploy the Bank’s trade finance Afreximbank has pledged to work with public and private Development Goals Driving Djibouti’s uig t prnrhp Arxmak a pledged has Afreximbank partnership, its During Export-Import African the onto signed Djibouti hc eals oeges o tr bsns i the in business start to foreigners enables which recently has Djiboutiimplemented ever. a policy of than international investment free tradeand zones, policy reforms, the country is attracting more business assisting Djibouti in its development goals. development its in Djibouti assisting Afreximbank is well on its way of positiveachieving outlook its visionahead andand a successfultheir attentions Middle a the East. With Africa and year to behind us, that its importance will continue toits growstatus as nationsin geopolitics, turn and it is only logical Thoughto assume it is a small country, Djibouti’s location theofyear compared elevates thetosame timeframe 2018.in months three first total revenuesincrease the in for million from US$109 million in2017.US$394.8 2018to in exceptionalrise an saw profit loansnetadvances. andin rise The bank’s operating a to 2018 due for its billion US$13.42 totalling assets in growth 13% a saw also Afreximbank million. US$285.4 was 2018 for income total 2017, the in income total million US$229.8 from Up income. increase in million US$55 a with growth overall 24% saw Afreximbank 2018, in Just performance. and soundness financial and development, leadership finance trade export intra-Africa and industrialisation sectors: trade, main four fixed strengthening is on initiative This Transformed. Africa 2021, lookingforward initiative Afreximbankfocuseda on 2017 calledImpact In sectors. trade their develop countries helped has Afreximbank with partnering 99 up from 154 in2017. EaseDoingof Business ranking increasing 2018in to our positive Already,Djibouti’seffectsseenwithpartnershiphas environment. business conducive a create to seeks it as nation tiny the to attention much attract to years recent in effective been have policies countryeasily andwithout paying profittaxes. These u t is oain n te government’s recent the and location its to Due hs rwh s otnig no 09 ih 59% a with 2019 continuing into is growth This which in cases many the of one is Djibouti fessionally within the company. With this plan, everyone succeeds. everyone plan, this With company. the within fessionally pro develop and them to grow permitting while service lent customer goal? this to contribute GXA does How Partofthe Vision 2025 is to develop human capital. are always good indicators forproducts, incomingwhichhave giveninvestors. moreusbusiness. create newThese to allowed us growth has success and important big company. evolution our a for Djibouti’s as made has within years. Djibouti the last 5 This progress has been then. very since infrastructure lot a improvements, grown has many of which have been Could you share a little bit about GXA? GXA’s Yellow Card gives thegreen lighttoregional travel. Insuring Djibouti’sContinuousGrowth comprehensive training so our employees continue to provide excel provide employeesto continue our so training comprehensive sectorisverya important and particular willsector. need.We We are focused support on high qualitygrowsandthe training more ourcompany of grows,our staff.the more employees The insurancewe Thisisverya important endeavour. The more Djibouti X Asrne SA ws rae i 20 and 2001 in created was Assurances S.A. GXA Sales ManagerDavidBoucherexplainshowGXAaidsDjibouti’sVision2035 David Boucher, David Sales Manager - - are able to settle the claim quickly and efficiently. needto be sure if there is abig claim, they have big insurersAs for GXA, we are thewho biggest insurers on the market. Our clientsNow, wecan open companya inDjibouti inless than three days. being developed projectandtherea isnewairport afor well. as u prs ae ue capacity, huge have ports Ethiopian theOur there railway is no matter their size, withcure the all support types ofof strong, businessesstrengthto facilitate well-knownbeing business ableis se and to insure for all aspectsnow of one their card activities, covers all thethey would countries. have have to insurance However, each in country, Card but our allows biggestthem to still be insured vehicleIfa fromcomingis accidents. from Ethiopia toDjibouti,Before surance the Yellow card that covers all vehicles that facilitate waysIn what does GXA business? move in the region. and first-ranked international reinsurers. Why is now the best time to come and invest in Djibouti? We facilitate business with the Yellow Card, which is an in an is which Card, Yellow the with business facilitate We FEBRUARY 2020

• FORBES AFRICA |7

GXA - -

DJIBOUTI - Africa’s Gateway To The East DJIBOUTI - Africa’s Gateway To The East 8 |FORBES AFRICA• Governor oftheCentralBankDjibouti Ahmed OsmanAli banking activitiestoDjiboutiandenablefurthergrowth. Governor OsmanAlivowstodoeven more toattract Exclusion AndEasesBusiness The Central Bank Fights Financial “There is nothing is timetocome.” here. The future here. Thefuture is in Africa, so it we do not have we donothave Banque CentraledeDjibouti www.banque-centrale.dj Fax: (253) 21 35 12 09 12 35 21 (253) Fax: Tel: (253) 21 35 27 51 27 35 21 (253) Tel: B.P. 2118, Djibouti FEBRUARY 2020 [email protected] to expand the financial sector, our priorities are fo are points:priorities the cused on following our sector, financial the expand to cluding(in institutions 11 banks,financial 36 to from five twofrom in grown 2006). has Subsequently, early sector then, 2000s: since the thebegan in comprehensive initial packagesector. reform An namic,efficient, sustainable and inclusive financial into aninternational logistic and financial hub. sec toral government’s policies. the The by objective to pursued transformis Djibouti strategy develop ment national the of part is 2035 by economy be come a middle-incomeDjibouti country help by 2035? to working Bank Central the is How and his plans to keep supporting Djibouti’s Vision 2035. withhim to discuss the achievements to become an of emerginghis mandate countrystructure improvementby 2035. Penresa and economynation’stheenabling infra strategyplayerin of key diversificationa sat CentralBank of Djibouti Governor Ahmed Osman Ali is - - -

The Central Bank is thus working for a more dy more a for working thus is Bank Central The emerging an as Djibouti establish to ambition The financing measures. Reference texts are regular wellasanti-money laundering and anti-terrorist strengthening of the supervisory viabilityTheframework, sector the impressive with of the as system. andii) anew fully automated credit information grosssettlement, automated clearing paperlessnewhouse...); electronicthe account payments into (real-time taking system payment tional infra withthe structure introduction financial modern a na i) of national the of modernisation The Djibouti; in activities initiated the necessary reformsestablished to launchPartiala Creditleasing Guarantee ease SMEs/SMIs access credit for have toFund we and microfinancement of mobile and banking. To ( for people with a minimum income of DJF 40,000 banksbeing legally obliged toopen accountan initiatives such astheright toaccount,an financial inclusion through promotionwith of The standards; international to updatedaccording ly € 0) As wrh etoig s h develop the is mentioning worth Also 200). ------

contribute to Djibouti’s will economic this growth? feel you Do trade. intra-African boost meant to create a tariff-free continent that could TheAfricanContinental FreeTrade Agreementis Chinese partners. eligible,Indiansignificantandour is forwhich telecommunications.AGOAand is railDjibouti road, port, in heavily invested we COMESA), of memberfounding a integrationis (Djibouti operating companies increasedregionaladvantage totakeTohere. of market wider a to attractive fiscal environment. fiscal attractive tential to investors in variouspo great sectors, offers 2018. to Djibouti ascompared wellplaces as an 94 gaining 2019 ranking, Business Doing Bank World the in worldwide second ranked Djibouti protection, investors’ of terms Inenvironment. invest inDjibouti? to time best the NOW is investor, why cerning finance. Islamic International of experts togetherDjiboutiin theinstitutions eminentand ket. We also launchedmar thean annual of Summit20% representbringing 2006) in establishedwhich of first (the banks Islamic active three the introduce and develop Islamic finance, and today products. financial compliant We Shariah have made of the necessary lack the efforts to to due ulationmarginalisedwas thefinancialin sphere What did youdoto expandIslamic Finance?Award. Finance Islamic Global the at Year2018 the of Banker Central awarded were You creation. activities,jobtermsAgreementof andgrowth in ContinentalAfricantheeffectsTrade ofFreetive For the readers of of readers the For results. these achieve stakeholders all to undertaken efforts by the of We have worked hard to improve our investment The award we received is an acknowledgement acknowledgement an is received we award The pop our of portion significant a that realised We posi the about confident very remain We greatopportunity:accessgranta will is it It OBS AFRICA FORBES and the dis - - - - - the best services offer we can, to technology especially use “We country: in Islamic the banking,” in inclusion he financial says. createemploymentDjibouti,toaimingincrease ofservice and of experience in logistics, transportation and management toAfrica. the East in bank commercial Sharia Best for 2016award thebankIslamic financialearnedthehaveservices leadingthe institutions sector:thein outstandingits Africa,ofregarded onebe EastSalaamas African can andBank operating in banks all for focus key a million, US$300 of Sharia-compliant valuebankingprogressivelyhas approximatebecome an today otherinstitutions and offeringIslamicproducts banks reaching of assets the With region. African East has and financialinstitutions thecountry theinwhole inand Djibouti of prominentmostthe ofbecome Republic one quicklytorisen the in headquarters establish its to private bank first the being in pride takes Bank African Salaam 2007, in Incorporated Providing qualitybankingservices whilecreating employmentforlocals. Investing InTheFutureOfDjibouti Current Chairman Ali Abdallah Hettam placed his forty years years forty his placed Hettam Abdallah Ali Chairman Current A leadinginstitutioninIslamicbankingandmore Ali Abdallah Hettam, Chairman connecting it to the world.”theto it connecting serve not only Djibouti, not only , but Africa asbanking, a whole, real estate, logistics, etc. I think we’re employersvery well suited in Djibouti: to we give work to a great numberamongregion’sthe ofmajor players. quicklypeople ourselvesToday, establishin mainthewe’re of one to us allowed mentality focused etr o atvt: W ae novd n eea real several in involved are activity: “We its of sectors all to extends but services financial to limited locals.” employ and here work that companies quality usualthecorporatein investbanking:toin want we constantlyimproved. be Therefore, must we’re not services interested thoseininvesting and services, country.thisDjibouti’s injobs basedeconomyon create is to contribute to here are relationships. We “Weare here to stay, because we believe in long-term aam ilg, sy Ai balh etm “We’re Hettam. Abdallah Ali says village,” Salaam estateinvestments, constructiontheassuch the of eaiey e t te akt bt u customer- our but market, the to new relatively h bn’ cmimn t jb rain s not is creation job to commitment bank’s The Salaam AfricanBank FEBRUARY 2020

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DJIBOUTI - Africa’s Gateway To The East DJIBOUTI - Africa’s Gateway To The East 10 |FORBES AFRICA• One oftheleadingbanksinHornAfrica Saba AfricanBank e r pann t epn byn bnig evcs into services,estaterealinvestments bankingvision, Islamicourinsurance. beyond andIn expand to planning are “Furthermore, we Salem. F.A Abdulraqeb says here,’’ for customers provide we that programmes financing and investment of different kinds have investors. Islamic “We of values and needs the to services tailored its has S.A.B. years, recent in financial services.” laundering and anti-terrorism platformBank.establishwant“Weto and stringent offera anti-moneygreat Abdulraqeb neighbouringF.A countries,” explains andSalem, Djibouti General in Manager of Saba relationships banks other good African with have to plan with an increase in FDI for infrastructurein recent projects. years “Weby the Djiboutiridingthe theis waverapidof bankingexpansion experienced sector, coupled as in other countries. Sabato become African one Bank of the leading banks in independentDjibouti as well branch of the inaugurated an 2018 was African as BankSaba Saba in Islamic Bank and aims S.A.B. isexpandingbeyond bankingtowards real estateandinsurance. Evolving ServicesForADevelopingCountry ih sai bnig rwn exponentially growing banking Islamic With FEBRUARY 2020 Abdulraqeb F.A Salem, of Saba African Bank Saba African of General Manager General Djibouti. There’s so much good in the heart of this country.” this of heart the in good much so There’s in Djibouti. invest to moment good a is it why is This universities. hospitals, hotels, further: advance to needs country investments this countries. These are all factorsofthe biggest inAfrica,that veritable ahelp to entranceattract strategica geographic location,one Djiboutitothemakes port manywhich thesurrounding infrastructure “Djiboutiis untappedone of potential:Africa’s with ripe developing is nation mighty but countries, and its AbdulraqebF.A Salem strongly believes middle-income becometo athat thesmall economy 2035, by and Djibouti’svision developmentfurther driveand to way attract foreign more investors country a the into to as need emphasised the Guelleh has Omar Ismaïl h isrne opn wl bgn prto in months.” operation three approximately begin will company insurance the potential foreign investors:political new people stability are coming greatly here contributes to make it a hub for andmany others. Besides that, Djibouti benefitsto invest from in a number of sectors, from banking to retail Recently, President the Djibouti, Excellency of His Arab Banks for two consecutivetwoyears, for BanksArab of Union the by award Compliance in Bankhas been awarded the Excellence International CAC region. the in tution insti financial other every surpassed has Bank International CAC Djibouti, Republicofthe in multipletimes Bank Best the as as recognised being Regulations, as well and International Rules with Banking Compliance and Excellence in for Honours the Award to quality Europe Golden the From Awards, Recognition & Accolades digital economy of the future. a into it transforming economy, cash the challenge providing that solutions andprudent proficiency consistent in efficacy, lies Its success experience. amazing banking global with clientsitsfacilitate capacitiesall toits CAC International Djibouti, Bank has rapidly in extended operates solely that bank a innovation.Beingfinancial and banking digital technology, in leader has recognised a and and region the in Djiboutibanks of leadingthe heartmanagedbecome of toone the in QuartierCommercialthe in branchfirst its started banking operations Bank in 2009, opening its International CAC Beginnings The in Djibouti. comeonetheof most influential players be to risen International has CAC Bank craft ed solutions for a growing banking and expanding quality and economy, care Withprecision services, better customer ever- the andvigorousevolving worldfinance. of in products banking digital Djibouti,transformingin is bankingvia International leading CAC financiala institution asBank, region. the in out stand it helps that identity an curated has recognised International Bank CAC provider, be to globally vision as a dynamic financial the services With Banking ExperienceToDjibouti Bringing The International Digital - - - the Djibouti region. Despiteuse themobile impressiveand online banking services orsystems. in hugeA amount ofcustomers that replace traditional banking schemes solutions banking banking precision online and of digitalisation complete about solutions.At CAC International to wards online,Bank, shift mobile digitalit’s to and banking clients all transactions its all physical encourage and reduce to efforts InternationalCAC doubling Bank is its up Present Scenario in 2019 by Global Finance. DjiboutiRepublic of the in Award Bank Best the as 20182019,well andasin Chairman of Al-Sakkaf, Mehdhar Abdullah customers.” experience for their international banking works to facilitate CAC International Bank “Operating in Djibouti, CAC InternationalBank State-of-the-art qualitybankingwithalocalfocus

CAC InternationalBank - International Banking license upgraded by the Central Bank. theprocess havingof itsIslamic banking Furthermore,InternationalCAC Bankin is improve its financial servicesitslaurelson in theandcontinuously region. strives to tivity, CAC International Bank does not rest investor’s paradise. country Djibouti become of to sure an is geographicalstrategic location, and the pivotal a parttheincountry. playing Withpicture-perfecta already are vestments in foreign International Bank, CAC of CEO According Ahmed Hamid to Al-Dheeb, the prospective for place ideal investors. an trend banking Djibouti, considerssetter country in international the an as Bank, into get theto top fifty. International CAC government theReport Index, and aims 99thposition theinWorld BankBusiness recentlyleaped from 154th position Theto the small, yet fierce, countryThe Expanding Djiboutiof Djibouti has digital economy. assistingthe region in transmuting into a currentthecash-based economyis and InternationalBank is striving to challenge ments becoming pay globally, norm the electronic CAC the With solutions. and velopment ofde electronic the in bankingachievements tremendous products has ing solutions to the localbankdigital market.with experienceinfused ing The bank bank international the bringing to comes it when region the frontrunner in the InternationalCAC Bankhasalwaysbeen &InnovationExperience resultsachieved tenitsfirstyears in ac of FEBRUARY 2020 Fax: 00253 21356755 00253 Fax: 21356363 00253 Tel: 1868 Box: P.O. Rue deMarseille-Djibouti Immeuble DaralKaram BankHeadOffice CAC International

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DJIBOUTI - Africa’s Gateway To The East DJIBOUTI - Africa’s Gateway To The East 12 |FORBES AFRICA• organising by sector gas and oil the improve to working also markets. other into expansion for door a be and light energythesector, to proven has in strength Djibouti of kind this for Withsector. kerosene construction the to bitumen and aircraft, homes in heating military-grade and airlines commercial for fuels aviation vehicles, diesel-driven and petrol for fuel including sectors multiple for fuel of selection diverse a With its wide of array gasolineUCIG and diesel services, provides countries.20 over to thatdistributes industry oil the in network energy such as wind, solar and geothermal energy. country’srenewableinvestingexistingenergyin by sourcesand power to its citizens, it has channelled its focus on diversifying the imported energy sources and providing cheaper and more reliable As Djibouti strives to become more independent by relying less on on geothermalenergy. and renewables, Djiboutiis banking independence energy on Focusing Green Economy 2035 Energy Djibouti’s ambitiousgoalto100%renewableenergy The Société Internationale des Hydrocarbures (SIHD) is is (SIHD) Hydrocarbures des Internationale Société The In the oil and gas sector, UCIG Oil and Gas has developed a large FEBRUARY 2020 geothermal and wind energy. Companies such as SIHD are are solar, SIHD developing as such now Companies is energy. wind and and energy geothermal operate renewable will 100% future on Djibouti’s Guelleh, Omar of so vision Ismaïl the like to President oil According only past. the on in solely have economies rely many and not economy does development the Djibouti that the diversify ensure to of to sources charge itself energy in renewable devoted of Energy has of Resources Ministry Natural The energy. renewable to phases development.” of three in reached be to metres cubic stocking 150,000 be will it important of capacity the an site, stocking whole new has this the have we Once capacity. terminal] serve to [the want We because year. per region, 15% of rate a at very fast, growing is products oil of demand “The may explains: SIHD, Director they of General that Ladieh, so Adaweh Dabar Djibouti regions. in larger supply terminal oil the improving and expanding on focused is SIHD energy. importing on less rely to goal the in aiding countries, nearby to resource the of exports eeomn awy nes nry s te onr nes to energy.” clean needs and green with be itself country provide the can so increased. energy, be jobs needs can always citizens investors, Development our of attract energy prosperity that to the and cheap, sure created and these making “All abundant Djibouti, states, is develop Energy, to of are Minister projects Guedi, Ali Yonis Hon. energy. fuel fossil in than energy renewable in more investing Aside from the oil industry, Djibouti has aligned its attention attention its aligned has Djibouti industry, oil the from Aside East African market: “We aim at develop at aim ing “We the whole market: region in termsAfrican ofEast petroleum the in generalised fostering growth of ingregion, surround in accordance the the in with in countries SIHD’s the goalall supply metres cubic enable phase will which Djiboutifirst to 250,000 to 160,000 newstocking sitewillhavecapacity a of the complete, terminal.” Onceexisting the capacity current of the because of opportunityan thatnothavedowe now servethewholetowantregion.We is It the end of the year and will last twoexplains years. Ladieh. “Construction will“We start are atin the final phase of the avoidandnalplanning,” costlyservice disruptions: relieve the pressure on the existing termi greenlitto increase the available storage, struction of a new stocking site have been with this global vision inmind.” proceedingarecompany. we “So, the of Manager General Ladieh, of natural gas,” says Dabar Adaweh liketheportand the stocking site are otheralsoprojects realised, beto there where zone economic Damerjog the in site stocking new with other companies, is building a South Sudan. “SIHD, in partnership and Somalia as suchcountries, neighbouring in products oil of ply sup the to contributes also SIHD international vision, and modern the for Djiboutian population. products Drivena by oil of import the tasked with is and 2000 created in was Djibouti) de Hydrocarbures Internationale des (Société SIHD role as a natural maritime hub. countrytakes full advantage itsof the ensure tohard working is SIHD Countries WithQualityOilProducts Supplying Djibouti And Neighbouring of capacity. Therefore, plans for the con the for plans Therefore, capacity. of Ethiopia, out Djibouti directed and to is products oil the handles ofwhich most rate of 15%, and the growth yearlyoil terminal a skyrocketed, markingin Djibouti, inDjibouti and surrounding countries has Société InternationaldesHydrocarburesdeDjibouti(SIHD) Recently, the demand of oil products products oil of demand the Recently, - - - - - Increasing stockingcapacitytofosterregionalgrowth port of petroleum products.” petroleum of port inter-exchangeof hubex a and import of prod petroleum ucts export to to regional order countries, in makingtanker Djibouti first. We will also eventually have our searchtheowndevelop andproducts oilthe here,” adds Ladieh. deepen need to “We ther researchfur ofto oil in Djibouti:participating to committed “There is SIHD is oil products.” the time, same the of tics At aaiy go tasotto ad logis and transportation good capacity, pavingstockinggoodtothewayvisionis Our future. the for plans our are“These Ladieh. states Djibouti,” only not products products.” and logisticsofthe good transportation stocking capacity, the waytogood “Our visionispaving - - - - is yet to come. best for East Africa’s gateway, he adds, The infrastructure.” develop to vision President’sthe and strategicplan toour thanks centre exchange an have will We here. arrive will Asia and East explains region,” Ladieh. whole “Goods from Europe, the Middle the to destinedserve are instance, Djiboutian for ports, why is “That transports. terrestrial and maritime aerial, its of quality andquantity the improve and landscape infrastructural its update constantlyresourcefultocountry this foreignwaveof investment allowingis sector.tourisminfrastructureThe and the in especially investors, many for destination attractive extraordinarily and monetary stability have made it an financialenticingitsenvironment and a crucial international maritime hub. Its FEBRUARY 2020 the terminal. This is pre is This within terminal. the storage of lack itsof products due to the itedthe diversificationin lim unfortunately is but fuel” “heavy the in cluding imports its sifying diver by business its op tutrs Diot is naturallypoised to act as Djibouti infra structures, ever-growing as its well routes as worldwide, maritime busi the est of one position with geographical all East Africa. be for tool will logistics a come that terminal multi-product new a of construction the itising prior is SIHD why cisely SIHD intends to devel to intends SIHD u t is strategic its to Due République deDjibouti 121 Box: P.O. Rue JeanJaurés

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DJIBOUTI - Africa’s Gateway To The East DJIBOUTI - Africa’s Gateway To The East 14 |FORBES AFRICA• countries. “This is why we set up an interline an with Qataropenscountry, Airwayspartnershipitopportunities for other witnessed airlineswithin a created in is has airline an Djibouti, when explains that Air in of CEO Djibouti Ali, Abdourahman especially region. of the sectors, in cargo carrier of movement increased all flag across The opened transportation. are opportunity of cooperate with our neighbours.” country, we have shown from the very beginning thatof Aden, we wantedwhichis are tovery important“Djibouti forsays, international Affairs, verytrade.well Foreign located, As of a small being on Minister the Strait Youssouf, of Bab al-Mandab Ali and Mahmoud the Gulf respects. Hon. all relations maintained in stable admirable has that country a been has Djiboutiyears, the vice-versa.Over and with connection its to due theAfrica Middle in East, place Europe andstrategic Asia, a serving holds as a gatewayDjibouti to the world forward regional integration andgrowth. with booming African markets and drive Djibouti issettoconnectglobalbusiness Djibouti’s GoalToBecomeAGlobalTradeHub Transport Djibouti’s strategiclocationservesEastAfricaasagatewaytotheworld hn egbuig onre ae ntd n ec, h doors the peace, in united neighbouring are countries When FEBRUARY 2020

who is the head of the training institute. Every year they train they year institute.Every training the of head the is who was very whichcostly. Now , we have one to person at or the Europe University toof Djibouti, people our sending were we Beforetraining. the forequipment andsimulators bought have We Union. European the with partnership in created been has thatthegovernment hasdonejob creation. is trainingA institute CEOof Doraleh Multi-purpose Port, says, “The biggest investment Aden, Daher capital.Wahib human its stabilityof economicthe creationensuresthatjob for source a also is port Thiscountry. theconnectivity of and zone free the in role direct a playsthat means of transportation. operatesotheralsozone,andworkingfreeports withthewithin bysea, wecan take ittothe airport tobe taken byair.” AirDjibouti landlocked Rwanda. Our vision is sea and air, so when cargo comes countries are interconnected, it will be a huge opportunity.”huge a be interconnected,will it are countries Ethiopia, Djibouti and beyond that, to Rwandawanttheroads rails andconnecttoto Kenya,Burundi. Uganda, IfSouth Sudan, all these the entry of east Africa and beyond. For us, we want to bewith open,external countries we thanamongst themselves. bewanttoWe hundreds of workers to work at the ports.” The Doraleh Multi-purpose Port is a state of the art terminal art the of state a is PortMulti-purpose Doraleh The W wn Arc t oe, epan Ai “fia s trading more “Africa open,” is explains Ali. to Africa want “We hns prnr i gig o mrv your sector? improve to going is partners Chinese thinkthe launched by your you do How Djibouti. of development the to committed strongly is company Your better services for its clients. provide may it that so ports its specialise to thenorthbecause Djiboutilonggoing waya is 2014.Further, there twoare additional ports in theconstruction Port,of which started at the Multi-purposeend of Doraleh the came along Container Terminal followed the in late 2008. Then, of manufacture The port. petroleum and oil the hosts which Terminal, Horizon the of constructionthewith 2006 officially beganin move logistics out of the city itself. The process the years the government has been working to overthecity,locatedsoof is theheartat port necessary step a in the evolution was of the it Djibouti port. and The old terminal, of-the-art history its andsomeof milestones? its about bit a us tell 2017.you May Can in Port Multi-purpose the the of inauguration of the with Manager operations its began it General since company been have You the homonymous company. by operated Port, Multi-purpose Doraleh the by facilitieshostedthe of figures impressive the of examples are Thesecargo.general for an annual capacity of over eight million tonnes containersand capacityfor handling of TEUs 400,000 area, total of hectares 690 cranes, prominence of Djibouti port. developments further increasingkeeptheplannedto discuss and state terminal Doraleh current the theof about thoughts General to his Port, Aden, hear Multi-purpose Daher Doraleh Wahib of Manager with sat We and facilitiestoreinforce itskey role intheregion. In thepasttwoyears,companyinvested inworkforce Of EastAfricaToTheWorld Opening TheDoors el n fia ad ic te hv several have they since and Africa, in deal hns cmais r ivsig great a investing are companies Chinese As As you said, the port is quite new. It is a state- quay 16 length, quay of metres 1,200 General ManagerofDoralehMulti-purposePort see Africa open its doors. havetheeagertoolssucceedto are weto and environment.newWe a by solutionsrequired transitcargoefficiently,and providinglogistic new handle to these ability approach our showcase and to markets ready are We yet. with countries that are not using our terminals relationships create and expand to continue to like would we transport it, inland allow If will infrastructures cargo. of lot a handle to capacity the have we because continent the advantageous our penetratemarketsin to Withnew onlyaim position,we ports. and mega Africa, few of a side this on countries landlocked to of lot us a for are there vital investing: keep is it future, the In expertise. currently of levels all are at workers We of hundreds training costly. quite was which in-house China, or Europe workers to them sending our of instead train modern this to utilise technology to able be will this we way, In simulators. training new and buying equipment been have we it, for ambitions great have we butstages, initial its in still is the with logisticsassociation.Thetransportand partnership centre in institute training a openedcapital,we human developand our to the years? upcoming in terminals your of role the see you do How o ftr ivsos eas w offer financial we adequate platforms. because and logistics investors security, future for opportunity attractive an become we result, a As grow. and expand us help will Initiative Road and Belt The projects. other and ports us to invest thein creation roads,of railways, allows it becausebeneficial very is it choice: thein Beltpart and Road Initiative was a wise are taking think I Africa. East of which hubs logistic the ports, Djibouti use to ability and the connectivity the need they neighbouring countries, the in factories and projects Firstandforemost, investingare we heavily Wahib DaherAden FEBRUARY 2020 www.portdedjibouti.com Email: port.offi[email protected] 659 34 744 55 11 33 (+251) Fax: 55 11 (+251) Tel: Representative Office: ADDIS ABBEBA Email: [email protected] 92 91 Hotline: (+253)21319000 31 21 (+253) Tel: Djibout -RépubliquedeDjibouti 2117 P.O.Box and beyond.” East Africa be the entry of Djibouti wantsto one another. business amongst to encourage countries need “African

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DJIBOUTI - Africa’s Gateway To The East DJIBOUTI - Africa’s Gateway To The East 16 |FORBES AFRICA• Chief ExecutiveOfficierOfAirDjibouti Abdourahman AliAbdillahi stability andgainforDjiboutithrough theadvancementofairconnectivity. ensuring thenationalfleet’s liftoff, heisconcerned withproviding economic Abdourahman AlihasbeenCEOofAirDjiboutisince2017;committedto Rising FromtheAshes Djibouti’s Phoenix that possibility to up and broadens up andbroadens connectivity. Air “If you want to “If youwantto Djibouti opens do business.” develop your country, you Rue deGenève, Djibouti must have [email protected] www.air-djibouti.com Tel: + 253 21343737 253 + Tel: FEBRUARY 2020 grow it needs to provide competitiveacknowledges employment economy the order for that to in “Investment is pillarsHumaninCapital”. its Thegovernment of One 2035. Djibouti’s Vision of Republic Guelleh, the President OmarIsmail of ception,hasitbeen aligned in with Djibouti’sHisExcellency, Air Frompilot aircraft. enginephase single flight ing solo first their to it made have afteryear,morethana these young candidates navigation. knowledgegain basic air in date, To bothingtrain intheoretical rigid andpracticalunderwent they schoolingmonths, few to past the NinetyNines Flying School theNairobi,in studying in Kenya. now For are shortlisted andwere females five and males nine candidates, 50 than relation to building upDjibouti’s economy? What is your future vision for Air Djibouti and its vision. President’s the push to to develop our airlines whileneed thinking to takeout of thethe boxopportunities concreteroads available andnow,through Djibouti.Air to usWe today soon came into place by land through Africanrailway Region ensured and that vital infrastructures theseaport initialasan avenue tofeed theEast tial pro multi-modalasa location global logistics strategic hub. vides Openingit with a vantage and point of exploring this poten geographic Djibouti’s nents re (Africa, the contiEurope of three to fly and to one theused Middle-Eastit airlines,oldest be gions’ to inAsia). Considered story. success notisnew thein aviation industry. Ithasits own AirDjibouti in the sky. Created in 1963, developmentAir Djibouti of the country is the re-emergence of company? What are your current plans and projects for the vi bright. is Djibouti’s a women,future men and Air of with services, passenger sionary to leader, airline and cargo highlyFrom trained management team Arevolutionary achievement and a must for the We currently fly to seven countries. Out of more ------tunity of employment for the youth currently re currently youth the for employment of tunity natural beauty. natural Authority,Air Djibouti ispromoting its unexplored table. the on freighterwithminimum a capacity 16Tof alsois house facility de further increase to capacity. its will Air A EFS-EBREX region, with sign, the build and manage in partnership a world-class in hub cargo Djibouti, ware logistical a becoming to 2°-8°Cand15°-25°C storage. preparingIn Djibouti products capacity cater the to requiring has to builtinside the Ambouli International Airport. squareThismetre Cargo Warehouse Facility has efficientbeen 1,500 freight region. operator A the in families. and holds of the economic and financialtransformationpositivethe in participate provisionsto likely of house reductionofunemployment. Better Recruitingstill, itis more is likely to contributein the country, significantly the mainto the issue Italso on helps Djibouti’sto influence agenda.the notion completeof job creation national autonomynational in the fieldairlines of aviation.not onlyticipating offer thepar been has in pride Djibouti the Air economicrebirth of its accessSince activities. growth to of the country, acquisitionits of provisions inall sectors agement:linked to thatits of extending man its of anaspect integratedfundamental another developing policy of world. the of part this in industry tion avia the in mark its leave to ambition legitimate fieldof action which is advancing Djibouti’s Air every strengthen routes day new The in itsspotlight. lounge,VIPDjiboutia Airofthe inonceagain is tably to () the commissioning happening. from far not is this employed, on. With the go-get attitudepassed- be to support offoreign theexperienced quires youth currently to the next generation. With Air Djibouti, the oppor the Djibouti, Air With generation. next the to n atesi wt te jbui Tourism Djibouti the with partnership In and trusted a becomehas Djibouti’scargo Air Throughthese new achievements, Air Djibouti is flights,no seriesof inauguration thea With of ------

DJIBOUTI - Africa’s Gateway To The East 18 |FORBES AFRICA• An irreplaceabletouchstonefortheconstructionindustry Laboratoire CentralduBâtimentetdel’Equipement(LCBE) tosupport them inthe choice of new and non-compliant withworking companies nationalstandards are complied with and all building materials and making sure all checksthequalityon conformityand of volved,in carrying institutions out regulargovernmental andvarious extensive the infrastructures,strictin cooperation with visingtheconstruction majorofnational all Djiboutian residents. of life of quality the prove cific climate and thus im spe Djibouti’s to quately ade more adapt can that moreefficient structures building of enabling the of aim overall the with industry, construction the in usage encour their age and materials local of quality im the prove to research tensive ex conducts Laboratory bioclimatic. and ergonomic are build ings all that sure make and points ble possiblelocatefeequalitiestoanyand industry,theevaluating theirstrengths investiga building tions thorough onmaterials infrastruc employed in on of carrying durability tures, the ensure to necessaryprocedures the allenforces Laboratory Central the Djibouti, of dustry in construction the supporting to ment infrastructureacross the country. basic of development economicgrowthensureand continued new challenges that stem from Djibouti’sthetasksto adaptits tobid a in2005, in renewed attributions and missions Central its Laboratory seen has (LCBE) Djibouti, the economic evolution of the to respond better to 1986 inFounded highest theregulatory standards. with comply infrastructures national and buildings that ensure Djibouti to in operating companies to expertise high provides Laboratory Central With SafeAndQualityInfrastructures Supporting The Construction Sector h Lbrtr i tse wt super with tasked is Laboratory The the Furthermore, commit tireless long-standing, its In FEBRUARY 2020 ------advice for the improvement of their con their of improvement the for advice companiesare appreciating our technical better materials. “We are proud to say that n fast broadbandand connections. the “In market,free essential the all technology tors inves may perspectiveneed, securityas well and as a stabilityfully accessible an investment point of view, development:namic country full it in offers from all the heard. concerns and needs their make stakeholdersviding all chance to a with goals enrichment capital human with the line in perfectly is commitment shareexperiences.”our to TheLaboratory’s and know-how Africa and skills ourincrease in laboratories other with agreements collaborationestablishing processthesaysMoussa.ofin are “We teams,” our continuously training and are standards sector. latest constantly “We the equipment available in the are on members updated team its launchedseriesa has Laboratory initiativesof Centraltoensure the and staff, skilled highly a requires tasks crucial LCBE. of Manager General Moussa, structionproducts,” says Rahima Ahmed offered by the Laboratory, as well as pro as well as Laboratory,the by offered jbui sy Mus, s yug dy young, a is Moussa, says Djibouti, of range wide a such out Carrying major players in the con the in players major willbring together allthe nationala workshop that theprocess oflaunching staff:the Laboratory is in limitedownitsnot tois quality training, however, plan. 2035 governmentVisionitsin Djiboutianstated the by esand support solutions resourc technical many showcasing the of aim structionsector withthe LCBE’s commitment to ------mns te et 0 etntos o in destinations for 10 best the amongst Bank,” explains. she “The country ranked latestDoing Business reportthe ofWorld ness with a dynamic one-stop shop.” one-stop dynamic busi a with ness creating of ease the and vestment of LCBE General Manager Rahima AhmedMoussa, and thencureit.” problem comesfrom understand where the get sick. You have to human being,itmight A building is like a Laboratoire CentralduBâtiment Zone IndustrielleSudBoulaos et del’Equipement(LCBE) République deDjibouti BP: 2016. Djibouti [email protected]

- - rgam, h epan. W have openedour first flight “Wefrom explains. he programme,” tourism have a regional “We neighbours: isnot going to neglect Djibouti’s closest ONTD its Mohamed adds, hand, other the reinforcing as On European market. the in presence well Chinese and as USvisitors for provide offers to tailored working the markets, is broaderorganisation in appeal its increase countries.” To neighbour our peoplecountriesGulffromaswelland increasing:areChinese, Americans, as visitorsbutus, fromother nationalities importantvery marketafor “ is ONTD. of CEO Mohamed, Abdi Osman says people,” French many welcome tolerance: “We and openness, warmth are world welcomed thewithcountry’sthe signature over all from Djibouti of types itswaters. in seabedsfound be that can various the and marine highbiodiversity its for renowned Djibouti also feeling.is lunar-like unique a tall 50m limestonechimneys formed,thatarea thegive naturally its with Abbe, Lake is gem Another level. sea City, DjiboutiLakethanmoreAssallies 150m below of Situated west world. 120km about the fourth in the point and lowest Africa in point lowest the Assal, Lake is remembering it worth country the of wonders many the landscapes: among natural of variety development, of especially developmentdueto its wide enormous the potential anterms in tourismof has as Djibouti tourism.sustainable well as country, the in sector tourism the of control and the animation organisation, with tasked body Djibouti the is of (ONTD) Office Tourism National growth government’s Vision2035 the in economic outlined as employment, and fosters the ensure sector to initiatives taking Djibouti is of Office Tourism National To TheDepthsOfOcean From Moon-LikeLandscapes orss n taelr cmn to coming travellers and Tourists Developing andorganisinguniquetravellingexperiencesinDjibouti . Lonely Planet’s Best 10 Destinations Destinations 10 Best Planet’s Lonely in spot a Djibouti earned have others, Sheraton,Kempinski, ONOMO and many in cooperation hotels of withglobal groups such qualityas international inauguration new and construction decreased from US$80 to US$10. the price of a three-month stay visa has e-visas and decisively launching cutting visas, fees of and charges: release the hastaken organisationseveral initiatives to the facilitate Moreover, Ethiopia.” from tourists more attract to order in Office ofDjibouti of National Tourism Chief ExecutiveOfficer Osman AbdiMohamed, we arehappytohelp.” this opportunity,and best moment to exploit potential: thisisthe “There is a lot of hs efrs culd ih the with coupled efforts, These National TourismOfficeofDjibouti

jbui s omte t esrn the ensuring committed to is Djibouti for of government driver the and growth country, any key a is tourism Mohamed. year,increasedsaysarrivals40%,”whenby last effects first its had award Planet contributed Lonely “The has arrivals: boost turn to in which list, Djibouti’s potential, he says, is there, there, is says, ready he to be tapped into. potential, Djibouti’s attractive.” more is improved and has framework which fiscallegislative and encouraging an have we Today, opened. business,and a one-stop a create shop to has undertaken been be to procedures facilitated Djibouti has Plus, 7%. the at ofchoice: “Wehave stablea growth rate invest in assistance.the to time country, best the is this noadds, he matter andBesides, the sector support ONTD’s pledges complete he whom to tourism sector, the in invest for to looking people environment favourable extremely sector.”the for workforce keyplaycreatingwillroleain qualified sector.This tourism the in workers for centre training a create of Education to Ministry the with working are We thatcansuit the needs theofindustry. aimedcreatingat qualifieda workforce is hotels.Thisour peopleemployed in some creating quality reinforcement programmes are for “We explains Mohamed. workforce,” qualified from as possible for them to be able tosupporting benefitaremuchinvestors “Weas sparing no efforts to achieve that quota: than 200,000 jobs by 2035, more create shouldand sectorONTD travel is and tourism the plan, the to According 2035. economicdevelopment the goals outlined in its to Vision contributes sector t s nvral acknowledged universally that is It jbui Mhmd as i an is says, Mohamed Djibouti, FEBRUARY 2020 Tel: (+253) 21 35 28 00 00 28 www.visitdjibouti.dj 35 21 (+253) Tel: of Djibouti(ONTD) National Tourism Office

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DJIBOUTI - Africa’s Gateway To The East DJIBOUTI - Africa’s Gateway To The East 20 |FORBES AFRICA• strategic gateway between investment opportunities And LunarLandscapes Modern Infrastructures Africa and the Far East, In a country that is a FEBRUARY 2020 are limitless. T is eager to show its gems to the world. can wander among the markets and immerse themselves in the beautytravellersmulticulturalwhereCity,Djibouti ofstreets of the a through country pastdays thatof flavour countryintentreinventinga on is It itselfitswithoutroots, losingofsightretaining the tolerant,very a stablehappyalso comehere.”verysafe to country.beand Visitors will are “We (ONTD) Djibouti of OfficeNationalTourism the of CEOMohamed, Abdi Osman Ten Top Destinations Planet’s Lonely in amongthe world. spot“Djibouti has its an enormous deserves potential fully in terms Djibouti of tourism,” says sharks, whale gentle azure the to depthstheoceanwherehumansofwithhuge Assal,have swimmingprivilegeand the rare of Lake moonlike of fumaroles natural the From others. any unlike landscapestectonicwithplates,threegifted over lying country here’sports:mighty a vision.”developed this simultaneously, respect projects,are which our All Guedi, vision. Minister Energy.a on of Ali “The working government is Djibouti of important momentat Ocahoumare.an is “Djibouti itsof development,” says Hon. Yonis takes,” it adds have all we security: good very with region the Sub-Saharan for position strategic a have economy.“Wecountry’s the playermajorin a leadingand institutions Djibouti’s of one remains Africa of Bank government.” the by created infrastructures all on capitalise and economy Djibouti the from gain to our today come must using “Investors not are that countries with relationships terminals yet.”Comlan David createOcahoumare, Deputy Manager to of Bank of Africa continues, like would “We Port. Multi-purpose Doraleh the ManagerGeneralof Aden, Daher cargo,”Wahib says of lot a “We toaim terminal: penetrate Doraleh new markets in the state-of-the-art continent Djibouti’sbecause new we have thethe capacity of updatingto handle years five than at less in completion aimed projects of series constructiontheand stepbeenhas crucial that landscape:a regard, in infrastructural impressive an spearheaded has financial hub for the continent. is taking government to Djiboutian differentiate the the economy efforts uncountable and position the the country as a oftrue trade, hallmarklogistic and a transformation, fastamazingly Djibouti’sand superbof signs many the of one just initiative,Road”is and“Belt the in stepkey Zone,Freea Thelocals.employmentfoster the tradeand for undoubtedlyinter-regionalboostinternationalhectareswill that and 4,800 of area an Djiboutiof theandEast whole. Africana marketas Upon completion, thespanzone will history the in pointturning industriala clusters,markedfour first theinauguration of 2018,InternationalDjiboutiJulythethe withTrade openingin of Free Zone(DIFTZ)he The marvels of Djibouti, however, do not halt with its impressiveDjibouti,infrastructuresitswithhowever,haltof and not marvelsThe do In accordance with the strategy mapped out in Djibouti’s Vision 2035, the government