Djibouti's Minister of Energy, Dr. Djama Mohamed Hassan, met with Saudi Ambassador to Djibouti, Metrek bin Abdullah Al-Dossari, on September 20 to discuss enhancing energy cooperation between the two countries. The meeting focused on exploring new opportunities for collaboration in renewable energy, hydrocarbons, and storage infrastructure. The minister highlighted the historical and fraternal relations between Djibouti and Saudi Arabia, as well as the Kingdom's solidarity with Djibouti in various strategic sectors.
The two parties discussed several areas of cooperation, including the national rural electrification program. The minister requested Saudi support to establish off-grid solar power plants with a capacity of 400 kW to improve electricity access in isolated rural areas. This initiative aims to enhance the living conditions of the affected populations. The meeting also emphasized the importance of renewable energy in the cooperation between the two countries, particularly in addressing the energy needs of remote areas.
The discussions also covered the hydrocarbons and storage sectors, which are considered crucial for the development and consolidation of energy infrastructure. The minister expressed Djibouti's interest in participating in the World Energy Conference scheduled to take place in Riyadh in October 2026. This conference could provide an opportunity for the Djiboutian delegation to present its priorities and engage in bilateral discussions on energy projects.
The Saudi ambassador congratulated Dr. Djama Mohamed Hassan on his appointment as Minister of Energy and reiterated his country's commitment to developing bilateral relations and intensifying cooperation with Djibouti. The ambassador also expressed Saudi Arabia's willingness to contribute to the technical capacity building of Djibouti's engineers and ministry cadres through specialized training and development programs.
The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the two countries' commitment to translating their cooperation into concrete initiatives and projects that support socio-economic development. The Saudi ambassador was accompanied by the first counselor of the embassy, Salah Fahad Al Badah, while the technical advisor of the Ministry of Energy, Abass Aden Atteyeh, also participated in the meeting.
The cooperation between Djibouti and Saudi Arabia in the energy sector is expected to have a positive impact on the development of Djibouti's energy infrastructure. The two countries have a strong foundation for cooperation, with Saudi Arabia having provided significant support to Djibouti in various sectors. The enhancement of energy cooperation is expected to contribute to Djibouti's economic growth and improve the living standards of its citizens.
The meeting between Dr. Djama Mohamed Hassan and Metrek bin Abdullah Al-Dossari marks a significant step towards strengthening the energy cooperation between Djibouti and Saudi Arabia. The two countries are expected to work closely together to implement the agreements and initiatives discussed during the meeting. This cooperation is expected to have a lasting impact on the energy sector in Djibouti and contribute to the country's overall development.
Key points
- Djibouti and Saudi Arabia discuss cooperation in renewable energy, hydrocarbons, and storage infrastructure.
