GCA Supports Climate Resilience in Djibouti’s Regional Economic Corridor Project
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otterdam, Netherlands, 16 September 2024 – The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) announced today its collaboration with the World Bank Group under the African Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP) to enhance climate resilience along the Djibouti Regional Economic Corridor, a key trade route linking Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. The World Bank Group approved an additional US$90 million in financing bringing the total investment to US$160 million for the Djibouti Regional Economic Corridor Project. The project is aimed at improving regional connectivity and logistics efficiency across the Horn of Africa, focusing on a 90 km stretch of the Djibouti-Addis corridor, which is vital to trade and development.
With the Horn of Africa facing frequent climatic stressors such as droughts, exacerbated by climate change, enhancing the resilience of infrastructure is paramount. In this context, GCA is providing technical expertise to ensure climate resilience is embedded in every phase of the project. Through high granularity climate risk assessments, GCA is helping identify and prioritize green and grey infrastructure interventions that strengthen the transport services and safeguard communities living along the corridor. These interventions aim to protect against extreme weather events, such as flooding and heat waves, which threaten both infrastructure and the livelihoods of people depending on this trade route.
Furthermore, GCA’s work includes developing guidelines for integrating climate resilience and adaptation measures in Output- and Performance-based Road Contracts (OPBRC). This will allow for the ongoing monitoring of climate adaptation outcomes through measurable contract indicators. Additionally, GCA will contribute to the prioritization of rural road upgrades and maintenance efforts, guided by a climate-informed policy analysis aligned with Djibouti’s national climate adaptation plans. The additional funding will also help fast-track the implementation of climate-resilient infrastructure and create more sustainable jobs for local communities, including 300 employment opportunities, 60 of which will be designated for women.
Commenting on the announcement, Professor Patrick Verkooijen, CEO of the Global Center on Adaptation, emphasized the urgency of incorporating climate adaptation into infrastructure development: “In a region where climate shocks are becoming increasingly frequent and severe, climate-proofing essential infrastructure like the Djibouti-Addis corridor is not just an option—it is an imperative. By integrating climate resilience into this critical trade route, we are not only protecting livelihoods but also strengthening regional economic stability. This project is a clear example of how adaptation is an investment in our collective future.”
The Djibouti Regional Economic Corridor Project is expected to deliver substantial long-term benefits, including:
- A 30% reduction in road fatalities annually due to improved road safety measures.
- A significant reduction in travel time along the Djibouti section of the corridor, enhancing the efficiency of trade routes.
- Increased climate resilience for rural communities that depend on this corridor for access to markets and services.
This collaboration represents a major step forward in ensuring that climate resilience is fully integrated into the infrastructure development of one of the most strategic trade routes in the world. By doing so, GCA and its partners are fostering economic resilience and protecting vulnerable communities in one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable regions.
Notes to Editors
About the Global Center on Adaptation
The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) is an international organization that promotes adaptation to the impacts of climate change. It works to climate-proof development by instigating policy reforms and influencing investments made by international financial institutions and the private sector. The goal is to bring climate adaptation to the forefront of the global fight against climate change and ensure that it remains prominent.
Founded in 2018, GCA embodies innovation in its approach to climate adaptation as well as in its physical presence. It operates from the largest floating office in the world, in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. GCA has a worldwide network of regional offices in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire; Dhaka, Bangladesh; and Beijing, China. The Center will open a new office in Nairobi, Kenya in 2025.
