Djibouti has almost no mineral resources, but some foreign companies have found gold to be mined. The country is located in a volcanically active area, and attempts are made to extract geothermal heat. Almost all energy needs are covered by imported oil.
With the help of foreign investments, attempts are being made to extract electricity from geothermal heat on Lake Assal. A profitable electricity generation there could reduce Djibouti’s high cost of electricity imports. Djibouti imports electricity from Ethiopia, whose electricity grid was connected to Djibouti in 2012.
COUNTRYAAH: Major exports by Djibouti with a full list of the top products exported by the country. Includes trade value in U.S. dollars and the percentage for each product category.
In November 2017, Djibouti signed an agreement with a Chinese company to build a natural gas project. A pipeline will be built from gas sources in southeastern Ethiopia to the Chinese-funded Damerjog port in Djibouti. The project also includes the construction of a liquefied natural gas plant and a terminal for the shipment of liquefied natural gas.
Abbreviationfinder: A popular acronym site in the world covering abbreviation for each country. For example, DJ stands for Djibouti. Visit itypeusa for more information about Djibouti.
FACTS – ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT
Energy use per person
179 kilo oil equivalents (2007)
Carbon dioxide emissions in total
722,000 tonnes (2014)
Carbon dioxide emissions per inhabitant
0.8 tonnes (2014)
The share of energy from renewable sources
15.4 percent (2015)
2018
July
The first part of the free trade zone finished
July 5
The first phase of the construction of Africa’s largest free trade zone is complete. When the entire zone is completed, in ten years, three major ports will be linked to the railway line between Djibouti and the coastal Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa. Djibouti hopes the zone will make the country a hub for international trade. The area is also expected to create many new jobs for the Djibouti and attract investors to the country as foreign companies place their production there. The free trade zone is estimated to cost about $ 3.5 billion and is financed with loans from China. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that Djibouti’s central government debt will rise rapidly, from 50 percent of GDP in 2014 to 85 percent of GDP in 2017.
March
Free Trade Agreement in Africa
21 March
Djibouti is one of 44 countries to sign a Free Trade Agreement at the African Union Summit in Rwanda. The agreement must be ratified at the national level before the AFCFTA free trade area can become a reality, but it is seen as a historically important step towards increased trade exchange within Africa.
February
The ruling party wins elections
February 23
President Guelleh’s Alliance UMP wins 57 of the 65 seats at stake in the parliamentary elections. To the UMP’s success, several of the major opposition parties are boycotting the election (see Political system). The two opposition parties that run for office win seven seats together. 15 of the mandate are occupied by female delegates.
