By Asha Elmi - Reporter
Djibouti, 6 November 2025 — The Institute of Statistics of Djibouti (INSTAD), in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce of Djibouti, has officially launched the country’s first-ever General Business Census, designed to improve economic data and strengthen the role of the private sector in national development.
The launch ceremony, held on Wednesday at the Chamber of Commerce headquarters, was attended by senior government officials and representatives of the private sector, including Minister of Economy and Finance Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh, Minister of Trade and Tourism Mohamed Warsama Dirieh, and Chamber of Commerce President Youssouf Moussa Dawaleh.
Officials said the census marks a strategic milestone in Djibouti’s economic transformation agenda, aiming to provide reliable data on the number, distribution, and contribution of businesses to national growth.
The information gathered will help evaluate public policies, guide development planning, and encourage investment by offering a clear and comprehensive picture of the country’s economic landscape.
The Director General of the Institute of Statistics of Djibouti, Ibrahim Abdi, emphasized the importance of the census, noting that it will provide credible, evidence-based data to support decision-making.
“This census will produce vital information to measure the real strength of Djibouti’s economy and guide the formulation of effective development policies,” he said.
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For his part, Chamber of Commerce President described the census as “an essential tool for planning and managing Djibouti’s economic development.”
“The results will create a comprehensive and regularly updated database, enabling us to gain a clear picture of all economic actors — whether public or private, formal or informal, local or foreign,” Dawaleh said.
He added that the initiative aligns with Djibouti’s Vision 2035 development framework, which seeks to build an inclusive, knowledge-based and sustainable economy.
Meanwhile, Economy and Finance Minister stressed the importance of public confidence in the national statistics system and the legal obligation to protect data.
“The National Institute of Statistics is the only institution authorized to produce official statistics,” Dawaleh said. “It operates under strict legal safeguards to ensure full confidentiality of all personal and business information.”
Officials concluded that the General Business Census will provide a complete overview of Djibouti’s private sector, guide investment and reform policies, and support economic diversification — reinforcing Djibouti’s growing role as a regional economic hub in the Horn of Africa.
