By Asha Elmi - Reporter
Djibouti, November 25, 2025 — The government of Djibouti, in collaboration with the European Union has officially launched the €7 E-SKILLS project, designed to advance digital skills in the country.
The project was inaugurated on Monday by the Minister Delegate for the Digital Economy, Mariam Hamadou Ali, and the EU Ambassador Denisa-Elena Lonete.
It will be implemented by Expertise France over a four-year period to equip the youth, women, and professionals with essential digital skills while boosting the private sector's competitiveness.
Key Components
The E-SKILLS project consists of three main components:
1. Campus 42 Djibouti: Establishing the first school in the international 42 network in East Africa, offering project-based learning with no diploma requirements.
2. Digital Hubs: Opening centers in regional areas to provide training, digital services, and entrepreneurial support.
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3. Economic Competitiveness: Strengthening the Djibouti Chamber of Commerce and the Resource and Skills Center to support the digitalization of sectors like port operations and logistics.
The project is part of Djibouti’s broader development plans, including the 2025-2030 National Development Plan and the Smart Nation roadmap. It is supported by a wide array of national and international partners, including the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Centre for Leadership and Entrepreneurship (CLE) and regional councils among others.
Projected Impact
The E-SKILLS project aims to train over 3,000 young people and women by 2029. In addition to providing digital skills, it is expected to stimulate job creation, foster innovative businesses, and promote equitable access to digital services across the country.
Soeaking at launch, the President of the Djibouti Chamber of Commerce, Youssouf Moussa Dawaleh, emphasized the project’s importance boosting Djibouti's digital transformation, thanking the EU for its support.
Minister Mariam highlighted that the initiative reflects Djibouti's vision for a "digital, inclusive, and sovereign" nation where all citizens can leverage digital opportunities.
