On Thursday, January 22, 2026, His Excellency Mr. Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, President of the Republic, inaugurated the new social infrastructure built in Balbala as part of the Integrated Urban Development Project II (PDUI II). Implemented by the Djiboutian Agency for Social Development (ADDS) in partnership with the French Development Agency (AFD), this program is part of a broader effort to modernize urban development and improve the living conditions of the population.
Residents of the Layabley and Moustiquaire neighborhoods turned out in large numbers on Thursday, January 22nd, to welcome the President of the Republic, His Excellency Mr. Ismail Omar Guelleh, who was visiting this part of Balbala to inaugurate, after five years of work, the socio-economic infrastructure built as part of the Integrated Urban Development Project 2 and its extension, PDUI 2 bis. President Ismail Omar Guelleh’s visit to this sector of Balbala clearly demonstrates the importance he attaches to this urban transformation program implemented by the Djiboutian Agency for Social Development (ADDS) , under the auspices of the national “Zero Slum” program .
The Head of State, His Excellency Mr. Ismail Omar Guelleh, also urged the beneficiaries to preserve these achievements and to use them responsibly.
Funded by a donation from the French Development Agency , PDUI 2 and its extension PDUI 2bis illustrate the excellence of the partnership between Djibouti and France. In addition to the President of the Republic, the ceremony dedicated to this major event mobilized the Prime Minister, His Excellency Mr. Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed , the Minister of Economy and Finance, in charge of Industry, Mr. Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh , the Minister of the City, Urban Planning and Housing, Ms. Amina Abdi Aden , the Minister of Social Affairs and Solidarity, Ms. Ouloufa Ismail Abdo , parliamentarians, the French Ambassador to Djibouti, Mr. Jérôme Bresson , the Director General of ADDS, Mahdi Mohamed Djama , the Director of AFD in Djibouti, Eric De Guerpel , the President of the Commune of Balbala, Mohamed Hassan Saïd accompanied by several local elected officials from Balbala, a plethora of executives from MASS, ADDS and MVUH as well as many other anonymous figures. The four main structural hubs inaugurated infrastructure include a modern shopping center, a National Gendarmerie brigade, a Community Development Center (CDC), and a range of local facilities including shaded bus stops with kiosks, children’s play areas, sports complexes for both boys and girls, discussion areas, and even spaces designed for playing pétanque.
At the heart of the project is a modern shopping center, a true economic engine. Comprising 76 commercial units of varying sizes, it offers opportunities suitable for both small vendors and more established businesses. Stalls primarily intended for selling fruits and vegetables are offered at an affordable monthly rate of 15,000 Djiboutian francs, while the intermediate and larger units are rented for 25,000 and 30,000 francs respectively. To encourage local entrepreneurship, beneficiaries were granted a full rent exemption for the first six months of operation, thus facilitating the launch of their businesses. Another essential pillar of the project is the Community Development Center (CDC). Designed as a multi-purpose space dedicated to learning, culture, and capacity building, it includes a library, a computer room, a theater space, sewing and painting workshops, and a conference room. This infrastructure aims to foster the development of young people and women, while strengthening social cohesion and civic engagement. The project also incorporates modern sports facilities designed to promote sport as a means of inclusion and prevention. Fields equipped for football, basketball, handball, and athletics have been created, with separate areas for boys and girls. These facilities help provide young people with a structured environment conducive to their development and to combating idleness.
In terms of security, a new National Gendarmerie brigade has been inaugurated. Equipped with appropriate equipment and optimal working conditions, it strengthens the State’s presence in this densely populated area and contributes to the protection of property and people, thus reinforcing residents’ sense of security.
The infrastructure also includes local amenities such as shaded bus stops with kiosks, children’s playgrounds, meeting spaces, and even pétanque courts.
All these improvements contribute to making the urban space more welcoming and strengthening community cohesion. Speaking after the ceremony, the President of the Republic praised the scale of the achievements. He emphasized that these new facilities reflect the State’s ongoing commitment to providing suburban residents with modern infrastructure, adapted to their needs and guaranteeing their well-being.
The Head of State also urged the beneficiaries to preserve these gains and to use them responsibly.
