South Sudan and Uganda Ministers of Transports Explore Djibouti’s Transport and Trade Facilities
H.E. Hon. Rizik Zakaria Hassan, Minister of Transport of the Republic of South Sudan, and H.E. Hon. Edward Katumba-Wamala, Minister of Works and Transport of the Republic of Uganda were led by Chairman for the visit of Djibouti’s state-of-the-art infrastructures.
The ministerial delegation began the visit at the Damerjog Liquid Bulk Port, a world-class oil port featuring a 2.5-kilometer oil jetty with an annual dynamic capacity of 25 million tonnes with 12 rotation. The facility is connected to shore via a 315-meter access bridge, leading to a Matrix Manifold served by nine piggable pipelines, enabling the simultaneous handling of diesel, jet fuel, gasoline, heavy fuel oil, LPG, and edible oil. The oil jetty will serve multiple storage terminals with an aggregate static capacity around 2 million cubic meters.
During the visit, H.E. Hon. Rizik Zakaria Hassan expressed interest in utilizing the Damerjog Liquid Bulk Port for the export of South Sudan’s crude oil through Djibouti, via 700 truck pipeline convoy system, positioning Djibouti as a strategic maritime gateway for South Sudan’s energy exports.
In addition, South Sudan currently holds a 12,354 m² plot within Djibouti International Free Trade Zone (DIFTZ) dedicated to warehousing and distribution activities. South Sudan and Djibouti have also signed a comprehensive agreement for the development of river ports and dry ports in South Sudan by Djibouti Ports and Free Zones Authority covering the following: Shambe, Adok, Malakal, Melut, Renk River Ports, Wau River Port, Nasir River Port, Bazi Dry Port, and Geriger River and Dry Port. This ambitious program aims to significantly strengthen South Sudan’s inland waterway and logistics connectivity.
The delegation then visited the Doraleh Container Terminal capable of accommodating the world’s largest vessels, including Malaccamax ships. The terminal offers high productivity, reliability, and efficiency, positioning Djibouti as a major hub for global and regional containerized trade.
The visit continued at the Doraleh Multipurpose Port, a highly versatile facility designed to handle breakbulk and general cargo, supporting major industrial, construction, and infrastructure projects across the region.
The delegation also toured Djibouti International Free Trade Zone (DIFTZ), the largest free zone in Africa. The use of the DIFTZ as a regional trade and distribution platform was highlighted as a strategic and economically sound choice by the two Ministers, particularly under the Cost, Insurance, and Freight (CIF Djibouti) trade model. Its integrated ecosystem combining ports, logistics, industrial zones, and multimodal connectivity offers reduced transportation costs, optimized supply chains, faster transit times, and enhanced trade competitiveness, making it a natural hub for regional and international commerce.
H.E. Hon. Edward Katumba-Wamala congratulated the Government of Djibouti for the development of these world-class infrastructures, describing them as a transformational asset for logistics and trade across East Africa and the wider region. His Excellency Minister of Transport of Uganda emphasized that his country intends to fully leverage Djibouti’s port and free zone platforms in order to reduce transit distances, lower logistics costs, and enhance trade efficiency, thereby advancing regional integration, economic growth, and shared prosperity.
Both Ministers commended the Government of Djibouti and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in logistics, transport, and trade, in support of regional integration and sustainable development for the benefit of their Nations and the entire region.