Djibouti Agribusiness Forum sets foundation for investment in key agrifood sectors

The Republic of Djibouti has taken a step forward in strengthening its agrifood systems, convening government leaders, investors and technical partners at the country’s first Agribusiness Forum, organized under the leadership of the Ministry of Agriculture, with support from the World Bank, African Development Bank (AFDB), and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD),  together with FAO. 

“This significant event brought together government officials, global investors, and researchers to chart a bold new path for agrifood systems development in the Horn of Africa,” said FAO Country Representative for Djibouti, Mr Kwami Dzifanu Nyarko-Badohu.

Held in June 2025, with technical support from the FAO Investment Centre, the forum explored how public and private actors can work together to unlock investment in four key agrifood sectors: aquaculture, livestock, date palm cultivation and horticulture.

These sectors were identified and prioritised through FAO’s Hand in Hand (HIH) Initiative, which works closely with the Government of Djibouti to support agrifood systems transformation, assess investment gaps and opportunities, and support the design of interventions in areas with potential to reduce poverty and hunger.

The three-day event drew more than 150 participants and featured interactive technical panels, case studies, and practical sessions, focused on investor needs and sector-specific challenges.

Participants included international agribusiness leaders, researchers from CGIAR centers, including  WorldFish, the International Livestock Research Institute, and the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture, as well as local enterprises and regional experts. Discussions covered infrastructure gaps, regulatory needs and specific constraints, such as marine water quality, cold chain limitations, and the need for resilient plant varieties and certification systems.

“The forum brought together the right minds and momentum to reflect on ways to realize a shared vision for a more innovative, resilient, and sustainable agricultural future,” said Laté Dodji Lawson Zankli, Lead Advisor on Country Program for Djibouti, African Development Bank. “The African Development Bank will continue to support investments that drive transformation across agrifood systems – unlocking potential, creating jobs mainly for youth and women, empowering communities, and building resilience in line with the ambitions of Djibouti and the region”.

“This Agribusiness Forum established a shared sense of purpose and a collective commitment to ensure that agribusiness becomes not only a pillar of food security, but a true engine of growth, resilience and opportunity for all rural people in Djibouti,” said Mohamed Abdelgadir, Head of IFAD’s Multi-Country Office in Cairo.

Potential new investments discussed at the forum would support local smallholders by improving goat genetics, enhancing local horticultural production, and strengthening fresh produce distribution systems – all aimed at expanding market access and better serving food-insecure communities.

Beyond investment prospects, the forum also highlighted important cultural and regulatory considerations, including halal certification standards and the role of communities in managing agrifood infrastructure, drawing on examples from the Gulf region.

“This forum helped move the conversation beyond diagnostics to identifying real opportunities and constraints for private investment,” said Didier Nédélec, Agriculture Specialist at the FAO Investment Centre, who led the public-private sector dialogue sessions. “Technical dialogue across sectors created a clearer understanding of where de-risking and policy action could help accelerate investment.”

The outcomes of the forum will be presented at the FAO Hand-in-Hand Initiative Investment Forum 2025 in Rome in October 2025, with a dedicated Djibouti Agrifood Investment Roundtable scheduled for November.

These next steps aim to build on current momentum and attract concrete commitments and investment across all four target sectors.