Sunday, July 21, 2024 Djibouti is a small, strategically located country on the northeast coast of the Horn of Africa, situated on the Bab el Mandeb Strait, which separates the Red Sea from the Gulf of Aden. Formerly known as French Somaliland (1896–1967) and the French Territory of the Afars and Issas (1967–77), it gained independence from France on June 27, 1977, and adopted the name Djibouti. The country’s capital, Djibouti City, is built on coral reefs at the southern entrance of the gulf.
Other significant towns include Obock, Tadjoura, Ali Sabieh, Arta, and Dikhil. Djibouti has a multiparty republic form of government with a National Assembly comprising 65 members. The countries whose citizens visit Djibouti the most include France , due to historical ties and the presence of a significant French community and military base; the United States, owing to military operations in the region; Ethiopia, as a neighboring country with strong economic and transport connections; and China, driven by business interests and infrastructure investments.
Economic activity in Djibouti experienced a significant boost in 2023, with GDP growth reaching an estimated 7.3%, up from 3.7% in 2022.
This growth was predominantly fueled by the trade and transport sectors. Services continued to dominate the economy, contributing around 85% of GDP in 2023, followed by industry at 14% and agriculture at 1%. Notably, inflation dropped from 5.
2% in 2022 to 1.3% in 2023, largely due to a decrease in global food prices. Djibouti-Ambouli International Airport (JIB) is the main international airport serving Djibouti.
Located about 6 kilometers from Djibouti City, it is the primary gateway for both international and domestic flights. The airport accommodates various airlines, offering connections to destinations across Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. Equipped with modern facilities, it serves as a key hub for travel and commerce in the region.
In 2021, Djibouti welcomed approximately 114,000 tourists, a significant increase from around 63,000 in 2013. According to government figures, 38% of these tourists were from France, 29% from other European countries, and 8% from the US. Visitor spending reached $57 million in 2018, up from $32 million in 2017.
Business travelers accounted for about 98% of arrivals, driven by Djibouti’s trade links and construction projects. Additionally, friends and family of military personnel stationed in Djibouti City form a significant portion of tourists. Djibouti hosts military bases from China, France, Italy, Japan, and the US, with most military personnel and visitors staying in the capital.
Despite being a major maritime trading hub, Djibouti currently has limited air connectivity. The government is promoting new air routes from Europe to enhance access. Djibouti-Ambouli International Airport, the largest in the country, is situated about 5 km south of Djibouti City and offers flights to 10 destinations, including Ethiopia, France, Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, the UAE, Yemen, and Egypt.
Under Djibouti Vision 2035, the government plans to build two new international airports near Djibouti City and the Seven Brother Islands to establish the country as a key regional air transport center. Djibouti City was named the World Capital of Culture and Tourism by the European Council on Tourism and Trade, highlighting the country as a global tourism destination. This recognition followed the European Academy of Tourism’s March 2018 designation of President Ismail Omar Guelleh as a World Leader of Tourism, an honor given to leaders who prioritize tourism in national policies and promote cultural development for meaningful progress.
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