Djibouti's Minister of Investment and Private Sector Development, Mariam Hamadou Ali, recently led a delegation to the World Investment Forum (WIF 2026) in Doha, Qatar. The forum, organized by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the State of Qatar, brought together government officials, international institutions, and economic actors to discuss ways to stimulate investment and support sustainable development. The Djiboutian delegation included the Ambassador of Djibouti to Qatar, Dayyhib Doubad Robleh, the Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Kadra Ahmed Hassan, and the Secretary General of the Ministry, Ali Houmed Aboubaker.
The participation of Djibouti in the WIF 2026 aimed to promote the country's economic opportunities, strengthen cooperation with Qatar, and mobilize new partners for sustainable and inclusive growth. The delegation showcased Djibouti's economic potential, presented investment opportunities to international investors, and explored new avenues for cooperation. The goal was to foster partnerships that would support the diversification of the economy, strengthen the private sector, and create jobs. Djibouti's participation in the forum was seen as an opportunity to highlight the country's competitive advantages and attract foreign investment.
On the sidelines of the forum, Minister Mariam Hamadou Ali met with Qatar's Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Ahmad bin Mohammed Al Sayed. The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral economic cooperation and exploring opportunities for investment between the two countries. The talks also touched on the progress of a draft agreement on the promotion and reciprocal protection of investments, which aims to consolidate the legal framework for economic relations and create a more favorable environment for Djiboutian and Qatari investors.
The Qatari government has been a strategic partner for Djibouti, and the two countries have been working to strengthen their economic ties. The meeting between Minister Mariam Hamadou Ali and Minister Ahmad bin Mohammed Al Sayed highlighted the potential for increased cooperation between the two nations. The discussions also explored ways to enhance relations between the private sectors of both countries and encourage Qatari participation in financing strategic projects in Djibouti.
During the WIF 2026, Minister Mariam Hamadou Ali also participated in ministerial roundtables on investment, entrepreneurship, and international partnerships for sustainable development, particularly in the least developed countries. These discussions allowed for the exchange of experiences, identification of new cooperation opportunities, and networking with institutions and private actors that could contribute to financing development projects. The goal was to translate these discussions into concrete commitments that would support Djibouti's development priorities.
The Djiboutian delegation's participation in the WIF 2026 was seen as a crucial step in promoting the country's investment opportunities and strengthening partnerships with international actors. The ministry plans to follow up on the discussions and facilitate partnerships between project promoters and financial partners. This effort aims to improve the business climate, increase the attractiveness of the economy, and consolidate investor confidence. The long-term goal is to support the diversification of the economy, develop the national productive fabric, and create sustainable jobs.
The next step for Djibouti will be to ensure the follow-up of the discussions and facilitate the emergence of projects that can produce tangible results for the economy and the population. The participation of Djibouti in the WIF 2026 reflects the country's commitment to mobilizing more capital and partnerships to support its national priorities. The government aims to create an enabling environment for investment and entrepreneurship, which will contribute to the country's sustainable development and economic growth.
Key points
- Djibouti's participation in the World Investment Forum in Qatar aims to promote economic opportunities and strengthen cooperation with international partners.
- The country seeks to attract foreign investment to support the diversification of its economy and create jobs.
- Djibouti and Qatar are working to strengthen their economic ties, including the negotiation of an agreement on the promotion and reciprocal protection of investments.
