The recently concluded African Finance Leaders’ Networking Cocktail 2024, held on April 19th, 2024, at Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., USA, saw the unveiling of the Top 25 African Finance Leaders for the year 2024 by African Leadership Magazine. Among the distinguished honorees is Mr. Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh, Minister of Economy, Finance, and Industry of Djibouti.
Aged 54, Mr. Dawaleh has emerged as a distinguished figure in Djibouti’s economy, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to his role as Minister of Economy, Finance, and Industry. Since his appointment in May 2011, Mr. Dawaleh has spearheaded numerous initiatives aimed at bolstering Djibouti’s industrial sector, focusing on attracting investments, promoting entrepreneurship, and enhancing the competitiveness of local industries.
Mr. Dawaleh’s vision for industrial development is grounded in his extensive experience in both the public and private sectors. His tenure as Chief Operating Officer of the International Port of Djibouti, coupled with his entrepreneurial endeavours, has equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of the economic landscape and the challenges facing the industrial sector.
As Minister, Mr. Dawaleh has also been instrumental in fostering partnerships with international stakeholders to stimulate industrial growth in Djibouti. He has actively engaged in negotiations and agreements to facilitate foreign investment and technology transfer, driving innovation and modernization within the country’s industrial infrastructure.
Furthermore, Mr. Dawaleh has championed policies to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and empower local entrepreneurs, recognising them as vital contributors to economic diversification and job creation. Through targeted initiatives such as access to finance and capacity-building programmes, he has created a conducive environment for SMEs to thrive and contribute to industrial expansion.
Beyond his ministerial duties, Mr. Dawaleh is actively involved in regional economic integration initiatives, representing Djibouti in various committees and forums aimed at promoting cross-border trade and collaboration.
Mr. Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh’s inclusion among the Top 25 African Finance Leaders 2024 underscores his remarkable efforts in propelling economic growth, fostering entrepreneurship, and advancing industrial development in Djibouti and across the wider African region.
About African Leadership Magazine
For over 16 years, the African Leadership Organisation (UK) Limited has been committed to fostering impactful leadership in Africa and spotlighting African opportunities worldwide through its flagship publication, the African Leadership Magazine. Through a range of initiatives such as providing quality Afro-positive content, facilitating trade, offering market entry solutions, hosting business networking platforms, and providing public sector training and consulting, the magazine plays a crucial role in catalysing positive change and development throughout the continent.
