By: Dawan Africa

A National Dialogue on Transport

The Government of Djibouti has inaugurated a national forum dedicated to boosting investment in its transport sector. This two-day event, organized by the State Secretariat for Investments and the National Investment Promotion Agency (ANPI), aims to modernize infrastructure and solidify the country's status as a premier logistics hub for the Horn of Africa.

Uniting Stakeholders for Strategy

The forum brings together senior government officials, private companies, development partners, and transport unions. The collective goal is to examine challenges and opportunities across all transport modalities, including road, air, rail, and maritime sectors. Officials state this initiative is a key component of Djibouti's long-term strategy to enhance economic competitiveness and attract private capital.

The Logistics Backbone

Addressing the opening ceremony, Minister of Infrastructure and Equipment, Hassan Houmed Ibrahim, emphasized that transport and logistics form the backbone of the national economy. He described them as the "strategic arteries" connecting the continent to the world. While acknowledging major progress made under President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, the Minister conceded that the sector's full potential remains underexploited.

Identifying Key Challenges

Minister Ibrahim highlighted the need for continued modernization, despite heavy investments in ports, railways, and aviation over the past decade. He specifically pointed to the necessity of improving coordination between different transport modes, advancing digital integration, professionalizing the sector, and reinforcing regulatory frameworks to meet environmental standards.

Shaping a Future Roadmap

Discussions at the forum are centered on upgrading aging infrastructure, expanding digital services, and strengthening public-private cooperation. Organizers have stated that the outcomes of this national dialogue will be used to shape a concrete policy roadmap, which will guide transport sector reforms and define investment priorities for the year 2026.