Cognizant of the dire need of fertilizer in the current rainy season, the biggest port facility in Djibouti, Doraleh Multipurpose Port (DMP), comes in clutch to achieve two consecutive unloading records.
As the modern facility disclosed, on July 21 and 23, courtesy of the 24 hours relentless efforts of the parties involved, dispatch from PSDA/DMP was able to record an untouchable and record performance in the history of bulk cargo.
According to the statement that DMP sent to Capital, the new standards that were set for the unloading and delivery of bulk goods were an unprecedented feat, given the temperature highs of 46Degree Celsius and severe heat wave conditions.
“The port’s operations achieved two records back to back: on Friday July 21, 2023, a record unloading record of 20,284 metric tons (MT) of fertilizer cargo; while on Sunday July 23 a record tonnage of 20,411 MT was unloaded and delivered, making it a first for our facility,” the statement read in-part.
“This feat testifies to the perseverance, competence, competitiveness and exceptional professionalism of DMP’s employees,” it added.
Over the years, the port of DMP has established itself as a flagship of the Djiboutian economy. Its state-of-the-art unloading infrastructure, which enables it to unload ships at a breathtaking speed of 3,000 tons per hour, has placed it as the best performing facility in the region.
The port also boasts bagging lines which are specially designed for grains and fertilizers, facilitating the cargo loading process.
The logistics facility stated that the coordination of operations between DMP and Ethiopian Shipping and Logistics (ESL) has played an instrumental role in increasing port productivity.
Currently, about 454 truckloads of fertilizer are delivered to Ethiopia every day. To optimize transport, 2 trains carry a load equivalent to 74 trucks each, per individual trip, enabling a continuous and rapid flow of goods to Ethiopia by rail.
Following the record breaking performance, the Ethiopian delegation expressed its admiration for the exemplary professionalism of the port’s employees. To this send, the DMP’s leadership disclosed that, “It was delighted with the outstanding results achieved, and expressed its gratitude to the port’s management and employees.”
“This remarkable result would not have been possible without the combined efforts of the port’s labour service on operations and maintenance, SDTV, which is handling the packaging at the port facility, ESL and the contribution of Djibouti Customs,” the DMP management further applauded whilst underlying that, “The success of the Doraleh Multipurpose Port has greatly contributed to Djibouti’s reputation at regional and even international level.”
“The port’s impressive achievements in terms of productivity and unloading performance have attracted the attention of economic players in the region, consolidating Djibouti’s position as an essential hub for maritime trade in Africa,” the statement concluded.
The Port which was inaugurated in May 2017 has the capacity to accommodate vessels with up to 100,000 DWT and boasts state-of-the-art facilities, making it one of the most advanced ports in Africa.
The port features various terminals, including bulk, break, container, and RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off), and its impressive quay line stretches 1,200 meters, accommodating six berths with a depth of 15.3 meters.
The port also has direct connection to the Djibouti-Addis Ababa railway and is similarly undertaking massive changes and upgrades frequently. For instance, it expanded the port activity with additional equipment worth USD 7 million which allows the port to hand vessels with huge cargo.

Global logistics players gather in Addis Ababa to come up with feasible ways towards a comprehensive global air cargo program.
The event that started yesterday July 29 with continued sessions today at the Ethiopian Skylight Hotel is hosted by the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations’ (FIATA), and Airfreight Institute Chair, Dawit Woubishet of the Ethiopian Freight Federation Forwarders and Shipping Agents Association (EFFSAA).
According to the statement of FIATA, the meeting that includes senior FIATA representatives to the International Air Transport Association (IATA)-FIATA Consultative Council (IFCC) and other logistics sector leaders aims to identify tangible solutions that are fit-for-purpose to address the rapidly evolving airfreight market environment in all regions around the world by building upon the considerable achievements of the previous IATA Cargo Agency Modernisation Programme (CAMP) and the IATA-FIATA Air Cargo Programme (IFACP).
“It is expected that Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, as a strategic location in the region for airfreight operations, will provide an opportunity for FIATA to better understand the needs of the African region towards such global air cargo programme,” it added.
The FIATA Global Air Cargo Programme has been making significant strides, and this meeting sought to drive its progress forward with ongoing consultations with various stakeholders at the multinational and regional levels.
A key focus at the event was ensuring joint governance that reflects the current commercial standing for both freight forwarders and airline carriers.
The objective is to foster a level-playing field for companies of all sizes globally, while streamlining and harmonising the complex web of overlapping rules around the world that many freight forwarders currently navigate, in the interests of facilitating the effective operation of global supply chain actors.
Dawit told Capital that in connection with the global event those who accomplished the FIATA Training of Trainers (ToT) course will be awarded.
As is well known, EFFSAA is an active FIATA Association Member in the Africa and Middle East region, and one of its strong points is facilitating of the FIATA diploma in freight forwarding, with more than 180 certificates awarded.

The Association has also been validating FIATA training programmes since 2011. In spring 2023, it completed a ToT course with around forty participants.
As indicated in the meeting, the FIATA Director General, Stéphane Graber will join the ToT award ceremony, hosted by the EFFSAA, following an allocution he did a few months ago at the FIATA Diploma in Freight Forwarding graduation ceremony.
“Africa is one of the most fast-moving continents worldwide, with a large young workforce. FIATA is honoured to collaborate with EFFSAA, who have been working hard on improving training standards and growing their training services.” said FIATA’s Director General Stéphane Graber, adding, “Capacity building and digitalisation are key priorities for FIATA for Region Africa and Middle East, to create a strong and more resilient supply chain for all in the region.”
In addition to the award ceremony, the FIATA DG will engage in meetings with key supply chain stakeholders, including local and national authorities, to discuss critical topics such as the FIATA Digital FBL, digital transformation, capacity building, and trade facilitation.
Dawit added that the event was not only the first for Ethiopia but also the first to discuss on the issue jointly with IATA to harmonise the logistics sector will be a good occasion for the Ethiopia to show its position to host the biggest ever global logistics event.
He said that the delegation from FIATA have met with relevant government officials from the Addis Ababa City administration and the central government to evaluate the capacity of the city to host the global logistics association that formed about 97 years ago big event.
EFFSAA was also a finalist in the bid for the 2025 FIATA World Congress, which was awarded to Vietnam, and is still looking to continue its bid to be the third African country, after South Africa and Egypt, to host the world’s biggest global logistics event.
As Dawit indicates, his association is working to host the 2026 FIATA Congress in Addis Ababa, “It is a good opportunity for us to lobby and get the opportunity to host the event after three years, which is the year that FIATA will celebrate its 100 year anniversary.”
At the current stage there are three countries including Ethiopia which are finalist on the bid to get the 2026 event.

A thousand public high school students will be equipped with skills for the future through a project called Girls Can Code in partnership with Honeywell and iCog Anyone Can Code in Ethiopia.

The students will receive training in basic computer and programming skills, creating employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for them after the completion of their training. In addition, the training will also oversee the Training of Trainers (ToT) of 40 teachers allowing them to update their knowledge and improve their income by taking on more responsibilities.

Another partnership MOU has been signed with Efoy Nanny Housekeeping services, Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) in Ethiopia will provide a three month training program for 50 unemployed women to equip them with childcare skills and the opportunity to find work.

CCBA formalized its support for these programs by signing Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) last week.

CCBA in Ethiopia Managing Director Daryl Wilson said the company used its industry leadership to be part of the solution, to achieve positive change in the world and to build a more sustainable future for the planet.

“Our aim is to create greater shared opportunity for the business and the communities we serve across the value-chain. Opportunity is more than just money, it’s about a better future for people and their communities everywhere on the African continent.

“We understand that our business can only thrive when the communities we serve thrive too. Investing in communities ensures our business sustainability. Most of all, we are all Africans and are part of our communities,” said Wilson.

“We aim to create inclusive growth opportunities for women, youth, and people with disabilities by defining a consistent way of implementing economic inclusion program across our markets drawing on leading practice for implementing our program. At the same time, we will seek to harness the impact of our economic inclusion initiatives to solve business challenges.

“We identify skills development opportunities to grow businesses through entrepreneurship, and use collaboration and advocacy, while tapping into external funding sources or partnerships where possible, to promote employability.

“Our entrepreneurship program focus on initiatives that provide our target groups with the opportunity to take an existing business to a higher level of operation. Our employability program focus on program that up-skill, re-skill or provide other opportunities that enhance our target group’s prospects of finding sustainable employment.

“The success of these program will be defined by the extent to which we boost income, unlock sustainable earning potential, improve skills, and business knowledge, resulting in access to economic opportunities,” said Wilson.

“Whether donating money, our time or our expertise, we take our responsibility to the communities we call home seriously.”

The new President of the World Bank Group will be visiting Ethiopia for two days to meet with top government officials, starting from Monday July 31, 2023. Ajay Banga, an Indian American global financial leader who started his five-year term on June 2, this year, will meet with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Minister of Finance Ahmed Shide, and Governor of the National Bank of Ethiopia, Mamo Mihretu.

Despite the reluctance of some global partners to support Ethiopia in connection with the northern Ethiopia conflict, the World Bank has continued its partnership. PM Abiy recently expressed appreciation for the World Bank’s support for social and economic development in the country, as budget support expected from international partners has been eroded.

During his visit, Banga will focus on identifying opportunities to create jobs for young people and women. He will also visit textile and shoe manufacturing facilities, malt production operations with ties to local farmers, and meet with women small business owners. In addition to meeting with government officials, Banga will meet with CEOs and business leaders as part of an effort to increase private sector investment.

Banga will also meet with the African Union Commission Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat, to discuss ways to strengthen partnerships and collaborations between the World Bank and the African Union. Victoria Kwakwa, World Bank Vice President for Eastern and Southern Africa, and Mohamed Gouled, International Finance Corporation Vice President for Industries, will accompany Banga on the trip. After visiting Ethiopia, Banga will travel to Nigeria, following earlier tour stops in Peru, Jamaica, and India.