Overview

DEMOCRACY AND GOVERNANCE

USAID Djibouti works to ensure continued economic and social transformation by investing in people and fostering a broad-based private sector-led economic development program, as well as a citizen participation program.

EDUCATION AND YOUTH EMPLOYMENT

Djibouti is preparing for a future in which all of its citizens can compete and engage in a rapidly changing global economy. In response to the high unemployment rate and lack of soft and technical skills, the Government of Djibouti identified the need for skills development and internship programs to better prepare the workforce. Advancing these skills will not only provide jobs, but better prepare youth to fulfill private sector needs.

AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY

Global economic and climatic shocks, import dependence, and declining household purchasing power continue to generate food insecurity and malnutrition among vulnerable populations in Djibouti. These challenges, along with elevated needs among migrant and refugee populations, strain already limited resources and drive humanitarian interventions in the country. In response, USAID/Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) supports emergency food assistance and complementary nutrition interventions. In 2021 and 2022, USAID/BHA provided the World Food Program with an estimated $16.5 million in funding for emergency food assistance, livelihoods programming, and nutrition interventions—including emergency cash and in-kind food assistance—to host community members, refugees, and other vulnerable communities. Our investments reflect the nascent stage of farming in the country.

POWER AFRICA

The Power Africa Initiative was launched by President Obama in 2014 to increase power capacity by up to 30,000 megawatts and advance six million connections in Sub-Saharan Africa. The initiative began in Djibouti in June 2015, following a direct request from the President of Djibouti to President Obama. Currently, the Government of Djibouti partners with the Africa Finance Corporation, a private sector Power Africa partner and Engie, a French company, to develop wind and solar farms.  The American company, Creative Energy Systems, runs a waste-to-energy project. The three will generate 130 MW of renewable energy in the national grid, providing energy security to the country which is currently relying on imports from Ethiopia.

GENDER EQUALITY

Gender is a cross-cutting issue in all USAID activities. Inequality between men and women in Djibouti stems from deep-rooted social and cultural norms, and limits women’s access to economic opportunities and resources. A Djiboutian woman’s ability to take advantage of opportunities and resources is further curtailed due to low education levels. Consequently, women’s participation and influence in decision-making at the national level is minimal.