Information Note

The IGAD Blue Economy Conference will take place in Djibouti from 6-9 April 2020 at Djibouti Palace Kempinski. 

The plenary sessions will be held in Nakheel Ballroom, while the 2 breakout sessions will be held  in  Ras Syan  Ballroom and Maskali Ballroom

 Visa Requirements

• Participants are advised for making their own arrangements to obtain the entry visa for Djibouti; and should apply for the visa at the Djibouti Embassy or Consulate in the country where the participant resides.
• Participants, for one reason or another, who did not get their individual invitation letters, should advise IGAD accordingly.  
• Participants from countries where Djibouti has no embassy or consulate; or who, for any other reason, are unable to process the visa, should advise IGAD accordingly and send copy of their passport by e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.;
• A visa letter for visa to be issued on arrival at the International Ambouli Airport in Djibouti, will be sent to them. 

Kindly note that the visa fee is as follow:

• Transit visa/short duration 3 to 15 days 2000 Fdj (equivalent to USD15)
• Short stay 15 to 90 days  4000 Fdj (equivalent to USD25) 
• Please make sure that you have the exact amount as getting the change might be difficult.

Airport Pick Up/drop off

Arrangements for airport pick up and drop off will be made for participants whose itinerary has been sent to IGAD.  

Please check for an IGAD Placard when you exit the customs area.

In case you fail to get a transport, you are kindly requested to take a taxi. The taxi fare from the airport to town is Djf 2000 (approx. USD 12)

Accommodation

We recommend the following hotels with IGAD negotiated rates:

• Self-sponsored participants are kindly requested to make their own hotel reservation and are encouraged to use the information given in the list to contact the hotels and book accommodation to suite their preferences.
• Should there be any difficulties, kindly liaise with the following:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 Local Transport 

(from Hotel to Conference venue) 

• Daily transport will be provided during the 2 days from the listed hotels to the meeting venue  and back 
• The Pickup time in the morning  of each day will start from 8am

 Registration

• A registration desk will be set up at the meeting venue ( DJIBOUTI PALACE KEMPINSKI ) on the 16 Sept next to Nakheel Ballroom.
• All participants will be issued with a badge as well as workshop materials.

 Conference Documents

• Relevant documents will be dispatched to the participants before the actual start of the conference.

 Other useful information

• Simultaneous Language Interpretation/ Translation
  • Simultaneous interpretation in French/English and English/French will be provided for the duration of the conference 
• Information Technology  access to sim card
• Banking Services and Currency
• Banking hours are usually from 8:00 am – 12pm and from 4:00 pm to 6:00pm from Sunday to Thursday.
• Foreign exchange offices  are available from 8:00 am – 12pm and from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm
• ATM service is also available 24hrs in the city centre and in most of the hotels.

• Climate 

Djibouti is hot dry and humid during the month of September with an average temperature between   37° / 31°

• Clothing

The conference ballrooms being air conditioned, participants are advised to carry adequate outfit

• Electricity Supply

The electrical power supply is 220-240 volts. Please be advised that plugs are of the two round-pronged types. 

• Health requirements

There is no specific health requirements to travellers entering Djibouti.  

List of recommended hotels