The second edition of the Djibouti Forum is set to take place from April 6 to 8, 2025, bringing together influential leaders in finance and industry from over 50 countries. Hosted by the Fonds Souverain de Djibouti (Sovereign Wealth Fund of Djibouti), this exclusive gathering aims to catalyze investments across Africa, highlighting the Horn of Africa’s pivotal role in driving regional growth and development.
The Djibouti Forum 2025 is designed to connect Africa’s financial and business community, guiding them in seizing the continent’s growing commercial and investment opportunities. Dr. Slim Feriani, CEO of the Sovereign Wealth Fund of Djibouti, emphasized the strategic importance of Djibouti as a hub for facilitating partnerships in the region. “Djibouti, situated at the intersection of Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe, is the ideal strategic partner for our region’s growth and development,” he noted.
The event will host financiers managing over $2 trillion in assets, with strong participation from sovereign wealth funds, institutional investors, and leading development finance institutions. These include the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), the African Development Bank, the International Finance Corporation, the African Finance Corporation, the Trade and Development Bank, and Afreximbank.
The Forum will feature a distinguished lineup of speakers, including Sidi Ould Tah, President of BADEA; Solomon Quaynor, Vice-President for Private Sector, Infrastructure and Industrialization at the AfDB; Admassu Tadesse, President and Managing Director of the Trade and Development Bank Group; and Aminu Umar-Sadiq, CEO of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority.
Key themes will include exploring future economic megatrends and their impact on the continent, the role of African multilateral development banks in driving growth, and strategies to enhance trade routes and connectivity within Africa and with global markets. The Forum will also delve into the transformative role of energy in economic growth and sustainability, digital transformation, and the expansion of the tourism sector across Africa and the Middle East.
Djibouti’s strategic location at the crossroads of Africa, the Middle East, and Asia makes it a critical player in global trade. Its ports serve as vital links in international shipping routes, facilitating commerce between continents. The country’s stable political environment and robust infrastructure make it an attractive destination for investment.
Djibouti’s Vision 2035 outlines a comprehensive plan to diversify its economy, focusing on sectors such as logistics, energy, telecommunications, and tourism. This vision positions Djibouti as a key commercial, logistics, port, and digital hub.
The Djibouti Forum 2025 aims to foster meaningful discussions and catalyze new investments across Africa. It will provide a platform for investors to explore unparalleled opportunities in energy, ports and logistics, hospitality, and financial services. The event is expected to drive impactful discussions and meaningful collaborations among the 400 international and regional high-level delegates attending.
