In 2023, Djibouti relied on net imports for almost three-quarters of its electricity consumption, about 72%. Domestic fossil generation supplied roughly 18%, while low-carbon generation provided about 10%, entirely from wind. Imports therefore dominated electricity supply, and locally generated clean electricity remained a relatively small share. Because the data do not identify the sources of imported electricity, those imports cannot be classified here as either low-carbon or fossil-based.

Is Electricity Growing in Djibouti?

Electricity consumption per person in Djibouti was below its historical peak in 2023, rather than setting a new record. Consumption reached 616 kWh per person, down 17 kWh, or about 3%, from the 2021 record of 633 kWh. Low-carbon electricity generation also remained slightly below its peak, at about 61 kWh per person compared with 62 kWh in 2021. These rounded figures indicate little progress in clean electricity availability per person—a concerning trend as electrification and future digital infrastructure increase demand. Per-person figures alone, however, do not establish whether total national electricity consumption grew.

Suggestions

Djibouti can increase clean electricity generation by expanding wind and developing solar, while considering nuclear electricity through long-term planning and regional cooperation. Nearby Somalia and Yemen each generate about 17% of their electricity from solar, while Eritrea generates roughly 11%, offering geographically relevant examples. Lebanon’s solar share of almost a third provides another useful benchmark. For wind, Morocco generates about a fifth of its electricity from this source, demonstrating its potential in the wider region. Nuclear also deserves consideration: the United Arab Emirates generates about a fifth of its electricity from nuclear, while France generates roughly two-thirds. Learning from these regions could help Djibouti build a larger, more diverse low-carbon electricity supply and reduce fossil generation, along with its climate and air-pollution impacts.

History

The available history shows a concentrated increase in Djibouti’s low-carbon electricity generation followed by stagnation. Wind generation increased by 0.1 TWh in 2021, equivalent to about 100 million kWh. In 2022 and 2023, the reported annual change was zero, indicating no further growth at the precision provided. That initial gain was encouraging, but the subsequent plateau underscores the importance of sustained investment in additional clean electricity generation.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade