By Nuh Mohamed - Reporter
Djibouti, 21 January 2026 Djibouti has granted 142 hectares of land in the Arta region to Chinese company, Touchroad International Holdings Group, for the development of a major real estate complex, the government announced on Tuesday.
The project, located northwest of the capital, is set to include luxury residential buildings, commercial spaces, hotels, and social housing. This expansion follows a $150 million investment by the Shanghai-based firm for its "Smart City" development along the Venice Road in Djibouti City, which officials said has already begun injecting capital into the national economy.
The land allocation was approved during a Council of Ministers meeting chaired President Ismail Omar Guelleh. In a statement, the government described the move as a sign of Djibouti's increasing attractiveness to foreign investors and a reflection of private sector confidence in the country's legal and institutional stability.
The land donation was one of several major economic measures approved by the council. The government also finalized the 2023 financial accounts for state utility Electricité de Djibouti (EDD). The utility reported a net surplus of 2.94 billion Djiboutian francs ($16.5 million) for the year, driven by an 8 per cent rise in turnover from energy sales.
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Official data showed that electricity production in the country grew by nearly 7 per cent to reach 712,594 MWh in 2023. This growth was supported by increased output from interconnection and wind power, as the utility looks to modernize its infrastructure.
The Council also moved to standardize the recruitment and promotion of state officials. A new decree established a framework for merit-based hiring and professionalization within the public administration, aimed at improving governance and the performance of public services.
Additionally, the government approved an industrial land allocation of 6,646 square meters in Ambouli Palmeraie for the YNET NADIF company to expand its operations. It also set the official sale and viability pricing for the Nassib subdivision, outlining costs for earthwork, road construction, and utility networks.
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