On September 27, 2026, Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh, the Minister of Economy and Finance of Djibouti, attended the third meeting of the MCDF Finance Facility in Doha, Qatar. The meeting was focused on preparing for the new operational phase of 2027-2031 and mobilizing more resources for infrastructure development in developing countries. The event was presided over by Atter Hannoura, an advisor to the Egyptian Minister of Finance for Public-Private Partnerships.
The meeting was also attended by Jiayi Zou, President of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and Zhongjing Wang, Director-General of the MCDF Secretariat. Minister Dawaleh delivered a speech during the opening session, highlighting the importance of the MCDF for developing countries. He was joined by Thirong Pen, Secretary of State at the Cambodian Ministry of Economy and Finance, and Khamis Mussa Omar, Minister of Finance of Tanzania.
The discussions during the meeting centered on the preparation of the new operational phase of the MCDF for 2027-2031, as presented by the Secretariat. Participating countries expressed their expectations, and several states announced their intention to contribute financially to the Centre during this period. The MCDF, established in 2020 and hosted by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, is a multilateral platform that supports developing countries in preparing quality, sustainable, and bankable infrastructure projects.
The MCDF also provides support for institutional capacity building, in partnership with major international development financial institutions. Djibouti's participation in the meeting reaffirms the country's commitment to multilateral cooperation and its desire to mobilize innovative financing for its development priorities. Minister Dawaleh emphasized the importance of connectivity and infrastructure as a lever for growth in Djibouti and the region.
The Minister's attendance at the MCDF Finance Facility meeting is part of a series of recent visits to promote Djibouti's economic interests. On September 22, 2026, Minister Dawaleh conducted a working visit to Hong Kong, and on September 23, 2026, he received the Executive Director of the Financial Services Development Council. These visits demonstrate Djibouti's efforts to strengthen its economic partnerships and attract investment.
The MCDF Finance Facility is a key instrument for supporting infrastructure development in developing countries. By participating in the meeting, Djibouti is demonstrating its commitment to regional and global cooperation in the area of economic development. The country's engagement with the MCDF is expected to help mobilize resources for infrastructure projects and promote sustainable economic growth.
In conclusion, Minister Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh's participation in the MCDF Finance Facility meeting in Doha, Qatar, highlights Djibouti's commitment to multilateral cooperation and its efforts to mobilize innovative financing for its development priorities. The meeting provided a platform for countries to discuss their expectations and announce their contributions to the Centre, which will support infrastructure development in developing countries over the next five years.
Key points
- Djibouti's Minister of Economy and Finance attends MCDF Finance Facility meeting in Qatar to discuss infrastructure development and financing.
