Djibouti's Minister of Communication, Mohamed Abdoulkader Moussa Helem, on September 28, 2026, received a delegation from Wingu Africa, a digital infrastructure operator, to discuss enhancing Djibouti's position as a regional telecoms hub. The meeting, held at the minister's office, aimed to foster collaboration between the government and the private sector. The Wingu Africa delegation was led by Demos Kirikou, Deputy General Director and Operations Director, and Nicholas Lodge, Strategy Director.
During the meeting, the Wingu Africa representatives presented the minister with their ongoing digital projects in partnership with Djibouti Telecom and To7. They highlighted the Internet Exchange Point (IXP), already operational within the data center, which aims to retain and capture global content flows. This infrastructure aligns with the minister's roadmap to establish Djibouti as a premier telecoms infrastructure hub. The IXP is a critical component in Djibouti's strategy to become a major player in the region's digital landscape.
Wingu Africa proposed making its new innovation center available to the Ministry of Communication. The center would serve as an incubator for intensive training and qualification of young Djiboutian graduates in Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). This initiative aligns with the government's efforts to develop the skills of its youth and enhance the country's digital capabilities. The proposed partnership would provide young graduates with hands-on experience in the latest technologies.
The minister and the Wingu Africa delegation agreed to establish a joint working group to finalize a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The MOU would outline the commitments of each party and the regulatory framework for their collaboration. This joint effort aims to solidify the partnership and ensure a smooth implementation of the proposed projects. The working group would comprise representatives from both the government and Wingu Africa.
The proposed partnership between Wingu Africa and the Djiboutian government has the potential to significantly enhance the country's ICT sector. By providing young graduates with training and hands-on experience, the initiative can help address the skills gap in the industry. Moreover, the partnership can contribute to Djibouti's economic growth by developing its digital infrastructure and attracting investment in the sector.
The meeting between Minister Helem and the Wingu Africa delegation is part of the government's regular exchanges with sector stakeholders. The government has been actively seeking partnerships with private sector players to drive growth and development in the telecoms and ICT sectors. This collaboration with Wingu Africa is expected to be a significant step towards achieving this goal.
The joint working group is expected to finalize the MOU in the coming weeks. Once the agreement is in place, the partnership can move forward with implementing the proposed projects. The initiative is expected to have a positive impact on Djibouti's economy and its youth, providing them with new opportunities for skills development and employment.
Key points
- The partnership aims to train young Djiboutian graduates in ICTs.
- The proposed innovation center would serve as an incubator for ICT training.
- A joint working group will be established to finalize the MOU.
