Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, the outgoing President of the African Development Bank Group, concluded his 10‑year tenure with a visit to the Republic of Djibouti. During the trip he met President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, who praised Adesina’s vision and commitment to Africa’s development. President Guelleh highlighted the significant impact of Adesina’s leadership, noting 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 (2015‑2025), 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 improved food security and built resilience in drought‑affected communities. Other significant initiatives are the Ethiopia‑Djibouti Interconnection Lines, which reduced costs and increased access to reliable electricity, and the Water Supply and Sanitation project in the rural areas of Tadjoura, Arta, and Ali Sabieh, providing drinking water for 660 000 people and sanitation for nearly 9 000 people.
During the Covid‑19 pandemic, the Bank supported Djibouti by facilitating 1.5 million tests and providing cash transfers to 75 000 vulnerable individuals. Its investments have also focused on empowering youth and women through programs in entrepreneurship, literacy, and access to finance. Additionally, the Bank has assisted Djibouti in improving governance, managing public debt, and strengthening crisis preparedness, aligning with the country’s Vision Djibouti 2035.
As Adesina’s mandate ends, he expressed pride in the shared journey with Djibouti and thanked 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 collaborate with international partners.
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