Djibouti Regional Economic Corridor

The Adaptation Need

The DREC is increasingly exposed to climate hazards that threaten both regional connectivity and Djibouti’s food security. Without action, more than 75 percent of the corridor will face extreme heat exposure by 2050 under SSP5 scenarios, undermining road durability. Flood-related Expected Annual Losses, currently $1.4 million, are projected to rise to $2.4–3.3 million by 2050, while landslide-related losses, estimated at $1.5 million today—70 percent of which are indirect—could reach $5.9–6.3 million. These escalating risks highlight the urgency of embedding resilience in Djibouti’s most strategic infrastructure. 

GCA’s Added Value

GCA is integrating adaptation into the corridor using the Output- and Performance-Based Road Contracts (OPBRC) model as a replicable framework for future procurements and sector-wide reform. This approach supports Djibouti’s national adaptation priorities, including its NAPA, NDCs, and Vision 2035. Technical assistance focuses on embedding resilience across procurement policies, contractor training, and performance-based incentives. Adaptation solutions include climate-resilient culverts, bridges, and drainage systems, road stabilization measures to withstand extreme heat, and nature-based solutions such as riparian vegetation restoration to mitigate flood risk and preserve natural water systems.