Djibouti Launches National Sustainable Cooling Plan to Strengthen Energy and Climate

Djibouti, May 14, 2026 - Djibouti has launched a new National Cooling Action Plan aimed at modernizing the country’s cooling infrastructure and improving resilience to rising temperatures, growing energy demand, and public health challenges.

The initiative was officially unveiled by the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources under the leadership of Minister Yonis Ali Guedi, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme and the Regional Council for Energy and Environment (RCREEE).

Authorities describe the program as a major step in the country’s energy transition strategy, focusing on the development of sustainable and energy-efficient cooling systems across multiple sectors. The plan covers air conditioning in buildings, food preservation systems, vaccine and medicine storage, hospital infrastructure, and climate-adapted urban planning.

With temperatures continuing to rise and demand for cooling rapidly increasing, officials say the project is designed to protect public health while reducing pressure on the national electricity grid.

The strategy promotes modern technologies and environmentally sustainable solutions, including bioclimatic construction methods, improved thermal insulation, high-efficiency cooling equipment, and greater use of renewable energy sources, particularly solar energy.

Authorities expect the program to deliver significant economic and social benefits. In the energy sector, it is intended to lower electricity consumption and reduce the risk of grid overloads. In healthcare, the plan seeks to improve the storage and preservation of vaccines, medicines, and other sensitive medical supplies.

The initiative is also expected to support the expansion of a modern cold chain system, considered essential for agriculture, fisheries, food distribution, and export activities.

Officials further highlighted the social impact of the project, noting that improved cooling systems could help populations cope with increasingly severe heat waves while providing better protection for vulnerable communities.