On Thursday, Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh inaugurated a groundbreaking ceremony for a new strategic energy infrastructure project in the industrial zone of Doraleh. The project aims to enhance Djibouti's capacity for storing and transporting oil products, supporting regional economic integration, particularly with Ethiopia. The ceremony was attended by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, Dangote Group Chairman Aliko Dangote, and other high-ranking officials.
The project involves the construction of a modern oil storage facility and a sophisticated network for transporting fuel, including a multiproduct pipeline connecting Doraleh to Ethiopia's Doneli. The storage facility will have a capacity of 375,000 cubic meters and can process approximately 5 million tons of oil products annually. The project will cover an area of 80 hectares and is expected to create hundreds of direct and indirect job opportunities.
President Guelleh emphasized that the project embodies a shared vision for regional integration and cooperation between Djibouti and Ethiopia. He highlighted the significance of the project in strengthening Djibouti's logistical capabilities and ensuring energy supplies for the region. The President also expressed his appreciation for the Dangote Group's role in supporting the project's implementation.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed described the project as a strategic investment in enhancing energy security and regional integration between the two countries. He noted that the project will reduce transportation costs, alleviate logistical bottlenecks, and improve the efficiency of the economic corridor between Ethiopia and Djibouti.
Aliko Dangote, Chairman of the Dangote Group, stated that the project represents a strategic investment in energy security, trade, and infrastructure in the region. He explained that the project will connect the coastal storage facilities in Doraleh to those in Doneli, Ethiopia, via a modern multiproduct pipeline. The project is expected to have a positive impact on various sectors, including industry, aviation, transportation, agriculture, and construction.
A tripartite memorandum of understanding was signed on the sidelines of the ceremony, bringing together the Djibouti Ports and Free Zones Authority, Ethiopian Investment Holdings, and the Dangote Group. The agreement reflects the partnership between Djibouti, Ethiopia, and the African private sector to develop integrated infrastructure for transporting and storing oil products.
The project is expected to have a significant impact on the regional economy, enhancing energy security, and promoting economic integration between Djibouti and Ethiopia. The implementation of the project is a testament to the strong bilateral relations between the two countries and their commitment to regional cooperation and development.
Key points
- The project aims to enhance Djibouti's oil storage and transportation capacity.
- The project will strengthen regional economic integration between Djibouti and Ethiopia.
- The project is expected to create hundreds of job opportunities and stimulate economic growth in the region.
