By Abdullahi Salad - Reporter
Djibouti, 6 January 2026 Djibouti’s Minister of Budget, Isman Ibrahim Robleh, launched a $970-million (172.3 billion Djibouti francs) budget for the 2026 financial year, pledging to move the nation toward a "culture of results" rather than mere spending.
Speaking to reporters in the capital, on Monday, Robleh stated that the government expects a robust economic growth rate of 7.4 per cent for 2026, while projecting inflation to remain contained at approximately 1.9 per cent.
The balanced budget follows the formal signing of the finance law on Dec. 31, 2025, by President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, after its passage through the National Assembly.
A central pillar of the new budget is the mobilization of domestic resources without increasing the tax burden on citizens or businesses. Robleh confirmed that current revenues are expected to exceed $895 million (159 billion francs), driven by the digitalization of public services and modernized customs administrations.
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To support the local economy, the 2026 budget introduces specific tax incentives for small and medium-sized enterprises and exemptions on livestock imports.
The Minister emphasized that 2026 will serve as a turning point for public finance management with the introduction of "program-based budgeting."
The pilot phase, initially launching in the Ministries of Education and Health, aims to ensure that every dollar spent produces a measurable impact on the population. Robleh described the framework as a "budget at the service of the citizen," prioritizing education, healthcare, and the professional integration of people with disabilities.
The government’s strategy comes amid a backdrop of regional geopolitical tension and fluctuating global markets. Despite these challenges, Robleh maintained that Djibouti’s debt trajectory remains sustainable, framing the 2026 budget as an act of "stability and responsibility" designed to shield households from external economic shocks while preserving the country's status as a logistics and trade hub.
