The MoU is the first cooperation between the two countries in the development field, specifically in the field of preparing surveys and censuses and developing development databases. It reflects the depth of the close relations between the two countries and their mutual interest in enhancing their strategic partnership .
The MoU stipulates that Egypt will provide technical and logistical support to Djibouti in conducting its third general census of population and housing, which is scheduled for 2023-2024. The census will be the first digital one in Djibouti, using tablet devices that save time and effort and ensure accuracy and speed in data collection and processing .
A Delivery of 1,400 Tablets from Egypt to Djibouti
As part of the implementation of the MoU, Egypt has delivered 1,400 tablets to Djibouti to be used for the digital census. The tablets were handed over by the Egyptian ambassador to Djibouti, Mohamed Orabi, to the director-general of the Djiboutian Statistical Institute (INSTAD), Ibrahim Abdi Hadi, in a ceremony held at the Egyptian embassy in Djibouti on Thursday, Feb. 22 .
The delivery of the tablets is a concrete manifestation of Egypt’s commitment to supporting Djibouti’s development efforts and enhancing its statistical capacity. The tablets are equipped with a special software developed by the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) in Egypt, which allows the census enumerators to collect and transmit data electronically and securely .
The delivery of the tablets was preceded by a study visit by a delegation from INSTAD to CAPMAS in Egypt, which took place between March 12 and 16, 2023. The visit aimed to build the capacity of the Djiboutian statisticians to carry out and manage the digital census, and to learn from the Egyptian experience and best practices in this field .
A Milestone for Djibouti’s Development and Planning
The digital census in Djibouti is expected to be a milestone for the country’s development and planning, as it will provide reliable and updated data on the demographic, social, and economic characteristics of the population and housing. The data will help the government and its partners to formulate evidence-based policies and programs, and to monitor and evaluate the progress and impact of the development interventions .
The digital census is also in line with the global and regional frameworks and agendas, such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the African Union Agenda 2063, and the Arab Strategy for the Development of Statistics. The census will contribute to the production and dissemination of high-quality and timely statistics that are essential for measuring and achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs) .
The digital census is a joint effort between the government of Djibouti, the United Nations, and other development partners, who have provided technical and financial support to the project. The census is also a testament to the strong cooperation and solidarity between Djibouti and Egypt, two brotherly countries that share common values and aspirations for a prosperous and stable future.
