September 7, 2026 (Ali-Sabieh and Ali-Addeh, Djibouti): For young people seeking practical skills, families depending on local markets for their livelihoods, and communities hosting refugees and migrants, new infrastructure in Ali-Sabieh and Ali-Addeh is opening the door to better services, stronger livelihoods and greater economic opportunity.
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), together with the Government of Djibouti, Representative German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), KfW (German Development Bank) and development partners, inaugurated a major portfolio of infrastructure investments under the Regional Migration Fund (RMF) on 7 September 2026.
Backed by an investment of EUR 10 million, including major infrastructure construction, design, equipping and furnishing, overhead and management costs, the initiative is designed to improve everyday life in communities affected by migration and displacement. The investments are expanding access to education and skills development, creating better spaces for trade and enterprise, strengthening essential community services and supporting greater social and economic inclusion for host communities, refugees and other vulnerable populations.
The benefits were already being felt before construction was completed. More than 350 temporary jobs were created during the construction phase, providing employment opportunities for local people, including women and young people from refugee and host communities.
The inauguration brought together representatives of beneficiary ministries and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Government of Djibouti, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), KfW, senior IGAD officials led by the IGAD Executive Secretary, authorities from Ali-Sabieh and Ali-Addeh, RMF implementing partners, contractors, design firms and representatives of host and refugee communities.
Infrastructure Built Around Community Needs
The investments were developed in response to the needs of people living in areas affected by prolonged displacement and along important migration routes.
Among the facilities inaugurated were:
- The Community Development Centre in Ali-Addeh, designed to serve approximately 6,000 people by providing a shared space for community services, skills development and social and economic activities, particularly for vulnerable groups;
- The rehabilitated and expanded Lycée Technique in Ali-Sabieh, currently serving 400 students, with enhanced capacity to accommodate an additional 200 students including from refugee populations, giving more young people access to technical and vocational education and skills that can improve their employment prospects;
- The Ali-Sabieh Market, providing improved trading infrastructure for 72 stall and shop owners, strengthening opportunities for local enterprise, income generation and more organised commercial activity;
- The Ali-Addeh Market, supporting 44 stall and shop owners, 64 per cent of whom are refugees, demonstrating the programme’s contribution to economic inclusion and stronger livelihoods for both refugee and host communities; and
- The Migrants’ Orientation Centre, which has already provided information, guidance and other services to approximately 3,300 people, strengthening access to support for migrants and other vulnerable populations.
Together, the facilities are intended to do more than improve the physical landscape. They are investments in people: helping young people build skills, enabling traders and small businesses to grow, improving access to services and strengthening the ability of communities to withstand economic and social pressures.
Through the Community Development Centre alone, thousands of residents will have greater access to shared community facilities, while expanded technical education infrastructure will allow hundreds more young people to acquire practical skills. The new markets are providing more than 116 traders and business owners with improved spaces to earn a livelihood, while the Migrants’ Orientation Centre is already demonstrating its value through the thousands of people it has served.
The programme reflects the partnership between IGAD, the Government of Djibouti and the Federal Republic of Germany, as well as the active participation of local authorities, particularly the Prefecture and Regional Council of Ali-Sabieh, and beneficiary communities throughout the planning and implementation process.
IGAD expressed its appreciation to the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany, through the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), for financing the Regional Migration Fund through KfW. The support has enabled IGAD and its Member States to translate regional commitments on migration and displacement into practical investments that directly improve the lives and livelihoods of host communities, refugees and migrants.
In his remarks, the IGAD Executive Secretary underscored that regional responses to migration and displacement must ultimately be measured by the difference they make in people’s lives.
He highlighted the importance of creating opportunities for young people, diversifying livelihoods, stimulating local economies and ensuring that both host communities and displaced populations can access services and participate meaningfully in economic and social life.
The Executive Secretary also reaffirmed IGAD’s commitment to working with Member States and development partners to reach remote and marginalised communities, particularly those located along migration routes and in areas experiencing displacement.
He called on the respective beneficiary ministries to fully implement the agreed operation and maintenance guidelines to protect the investments and ensure that the facilities continue serving communities for many years to come.
The Government of Djibouti was commended for its support throughout the process, including the allocation of land, provision of regulatory approvals and connection of essential utilities such as water and electricity.
IGAD, the Government of Djibouti and development partners reaffirmed their commitment to working with local authorities and communities to ensure that the facilities are effectively managed, fully utilised and sustained.
The inauguration is therefore more than the completion of new buildings and public facilities. It represents new places to learn, work, trade and access services — and a shared commitment to ensuring that communities affected by migration and displacement have greater opportunities to build secure and dignified futures.
For more information, please contact:
Regional Migration Fund (RMF) Project Coordinator
Email: ibrahim.kasso@igad.int
IGAD Communications Office
Email: commsunit@igad.int
