Djibouti’s digital transformation strategy

Djibouti’s digital transformation strategy, as outlined in its official roadmap, is a comprehensive and forward-looking plan led by the Ministry of Digital Economy and Innovation (MENI). It aims to make digital technologies the foundation of economic, administrative, and social development by 2035. The strategy is structured around four strategic pillars and several cross-cutting enablers, developed through inclusive stakeholder consultation and aligned with national visions such as ‘Djibouti Vision 2035‘ and the 2020–2024 national development plan.

Strategic context and vision

The strategy arises from global and local pressures, COVID-19 accelerated the need for remote services, and the digital maturity of institutions became a key factor in resilience. Djibouti responded by establishing MENI in 2021 to lead a digital overhaul across government, business, and society.

At its core is the ambition to become a Smart Nation, a human-centered, data-driven society using digital tools to address employment, governance, education, and economic challenges. Djibouti’s unique geopolitical position and submarine cable infrastructure make it a potential regional digital hub.

Strategic pillars

1. Digital administration (e-government)

• Goal: modernize public services to be inclusive, efficient, transparent, and user-centered.
• Key actions:
  • Digitization of civil registration, healthcare (e.g., e-health systems), and justice.
  • Establishment of digital identity systems and interoperability platforms.
  • Launch of national document and workflow systems (e.g., zero paper policy, e-Procurement).
• Indicators: performance in global e-government indexes, user satisfaction, and service accessibility.

2. Digital economy

• Goal: make the digital sector a driver of growth and employment through innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment.
• Key actions:
  • Development of a startup act and improved investment code.
  • Promotion of e-commerce, digital payment systems, and offshoring.
  • Creation of a digital free zone and branding of ‘Smart Djibouti.’
• Indicators: share of digital sector in GDP, investment levels, and digital financial inclusion.

3. Future sectors and professions

• Goal: prepare the economy for next-generation jobs and sectors through technology.
• Key actions:
  • Smart logistics (Smart Port), agriculture, energy (Smart Grid), and finance.
  • Establishment of Green Data City and national data centers.
  • Support for Industry 4.0 practices and sustainable development.
• Indicators: competitiveness indices, job creation in tech-enabled sectors.

4. Digital culture and citizen participation

• Goal: bridge the digital divide and promote a participatory digital society.
• Key actions:
  • Promote digital literacy and culture across all population segments.
  • Enhance civic tech and open data initiatives.
  • Strengthen ties with the diaspora and civil society in digital development.
• Indicators: ICT access rates, e-participation metrics, cultural inclusion.

Cross-cutting enablers

a. Legal and regulatory framework

• Development of comprehensive legal infrastructure covering data protection, cybersecurity, digital payments, and e-governance.
• Drafting of the national digital code and protection of personal data laws.

b. Cyber sovereignty

• Establishment of institutions and policies for data protection, cybercrime response, and digital trust.
• Investment in national cybersecurity capabilities and awareness.

c. Digital skills and excellence

• Massive investment in human capital, including training centers, university partnerships, and vocational reskilling.
• Promotion of digital professions through career development, reconversion programs, and private sector partnerships.

d. Digital infrastructure and connectivity

• Expansion of broadband and backbone networks using Djibouti’s 14 submarine cables.
• Creation of integrated national digital systems (e.g., data centers, cloud services, secure government platforms).

Implementation and governance

The roadmap is guided by SWOT and PESTEL analyses, with benchmarks from similar countries and global leaders like Singapore. It includes measurable targets and a phased implementation plan involving multi-stakeholder collaboration (public, private, civil society, donors). MENI is tasked with inter-institutional coordination, capacity-building, and mobilizing funding.