Djibouti

Djibouti’s banking sector, which was a duopoly until as recently as 2006, has seen a wave of development in recent years, and the scope for further growth is significant. Recent years have seen lending rise exponentially as new players have entered an increasingly well regulated market: credit allocated to the private sector grew from 20% of...

Amid the steady expansion of Djibouti’s financial sector over recent years, Islamic finance has been taking an increasingly prominent role. Of the 10 existing banks in late 2015, four were Islamic, and the segment currently accounts for between 15% and 20% of the overall market.

The goal of diversifying Djibouti’s economy will depend on raising the contribution of several sectors to the country’s GDP. Among the government’s priorities are the expansion of agriculture and fishing activities. The contribution of agriculture to the national GDP is expected to increase from 3.7% in 2012 to 4.1% in 2022 and 5% of GDP by 2035, according to government plans...

Located along a strategic international trade route that connects Africa, the Middle East, Europe and Asia, Djibouti’s economic development has been linked with rising global commerce. In order to fully harness its geographic advantages and maintain its competitiveness, the country is now focusing on infrastructure improvements and a gradual...

Djibouti’s economic strategy, as outlined under the Djibouti Vision 2035 plan, is in large part dependent on growth led by construction activity and infrastructure spending. While much of the $14bn worth of ongoing or planned projects is being financed directly by overseas investors, a large percentage is also being funded from the government’...

What can be done to strengthen cooperation between foreign investors and local enterprises?