Djibouti Launches AgriConnect Roadmap to Curb Food Import Reliance

The initiative marks a regional milestone, positioning Djibouti as the first nation in the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan to adopt this structured framework for agricultural reform. By prioritizing institutional support and market connectivity, the government intends to bridge the gap between small-scale producers and commercial enterprise.

Livestock remains the cornerstone of the rural economy, contributing approximately 75 percent of the nation’s agricultural GDP and supporting 80 percent of the rural population. Agriculture Minister Radwan Ali Bahdon emphasized that the roadmap serves as a strategic commitment to transform agribusiness into a reliable engine for both sustenance and economic growth. Beyond livestock, the strategy focuses on scaling horticulture and date cultivation to expand local production capacity despite the country’s challenging climate.

Success hinges on translating this collaborative policy into tangible infrastructure, improved animal health services, and access to finance. World Bank Group Vice President Ousmane Dione noted that the Compact provides the necessary coordination to mobilize private sector interest. The ultimate objective is to shift the agricultural landscape from a subsistence-based model toward a competitive, integrated system that creates jobs across the entire supply chain, from farm-gate processing to final logistics.