Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, the outgoing President of the African Development Bank Group, has concluded his 10-year tenure with a visit to the Republic of Djibouti. During his trip, he met with President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, who praised Adesina’s vision and commitment to Africa’s development. President Guelleh acknowledged the significant impact of Adesina’s leadership, stating that he has brought Africa to the global stage and introduced a new way of thinking about development.
The African Development Bank has a long history of investment in Djibouti, dating back to 1975. Under Adesina’s presidency, from 2015 to 2025, the Bank invested $110 million in regional integration, structural resilience, energy transition, and social inclusion. Notable projects implemented during this period include the Doraleh Container Terminal, transport corridors, and the Drought Resilience and Sustainable Livelihoods Project, which has improved food security and built resilience in drought-affected communities.
Other significant projects include the Ethiopia-Djibouti Interconnection Lines, which have reduced the cost and increased access to reliable electricity. The Water Supply and Sanitation in the Rural Areas of Tadjoura, Arta, and Ali Sabieh Project has provided drinking water for 660,000 people and access to sanitation for nearly 9,000 people. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Bank supported Djibouti in performing 1.5 million tests and provided cash transfers to 75,000 vulnerable people.
The Bank’s investments in Djibouti have also focused on empowering youth and women through programs in entrepreneurship, literacy, and access to finance. Additionally, the Bank has supported Djibouti in improving governance, managing public debt, and strengthening crisis preparedness, aligning with the country’s Vision Djibouti 2035.
As Adesina’s mandate comes to an end, he expressed pride in the journey shared with Djibouti, thanking President Guelleh for the confidence placed in the Bank. President Guelleh urged the continuation of their partnership, emphasizing the importance of working together to secure Djibouti’s future. The African Development Bank’s contributions to Djibouti’s development demonstrate the potential for sustainable and inclusive growth when countries work together with international partners.
