Djibouti City, July 15, 2024 — Frontier Tech Leaders (FTL) Djibouti marked a significant milestone today by hosting the graduation ceremony for its Machine Learning Bootcamp. Organized by the Center for Leadership and Entrepreneurship (CLE), the event brought together distinguished guests including ministers, UN representatives, ambassadors, government officials and alumni.
Launched on March 5, 2024, the FTL Djibouti Machine Learning Bootcamp aims to equip participants with essential digital skills and foster innovation in Djibouti's tech ecosystem. From over 500 applicants, 43 outstanding talents representing a diverse population from Djibouti's universities, public sector, and private sector were selected. After rigorous training, 23 participants successfully completed the bootcamp and presented capstone projects focused on leveraging machine learning to address pressing societal challenges.
The ceremony included speeches by honorary speakers including H.E. Mr. Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh, Minister of Economy and Finance for Industry, Republic of Djibouti, and H.E. Mr. Mariam Hamadou, Minister Extraordinary for Digital Economy and Innovation, Republic of Djibouti. Emma Ngouan-Anoh, UNDP Resident Representative in Djibouti; Deodat Maharaj, Managing Director of the United Nations Technology Bank (UNTB), and Gokhan Dikmener, Technical Expert at the UNDP Istanbul International Centre for Private Sector Development (ICPSD).
His Excellency Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh, Minister of Economy and Finance in charge of Industry, stressed that “it is essential for Djibouti to develop a wide range of digital skills to ensure the country's sustainable development and diversify its economy.” The minister also announced the upcoming launch of the second training cohort and urged partners to advance the FTL program so that more young Djiboutian talent can benefit.
Minister Mariam Hamadou, Special Envoy for Digital Economy and Innovation, highlighted the program’s alignment with national priorities, saying, “This program symbolizes not only our commitment to the future, but also our determination to prepare our people for the challenges of the 21st century.”
“UNDP Djibouti is proud to be implementing the Frontier Tech Leaders Programme for the first time in the country, which would not have been possible without the strong support of the Government of Djibouti and Minister Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh himself,” said Emma Ngoan Ano, UNDP Resident Representative in Djibouti.
UNTB Managing Director Deodat Maharaj stressed the importance of digital skills to the future development of Least Developed Countries (LDCs), saying: “Equipping young people with digital skills does more than just prepare them for the job market; it empowers them to drive social development and sustainable growth and position LDCs at the forefront of global innovation.” UNDP ICPSD Technical Expert Gokhan Dikmener highlighted the importance of South-South cooperation in LDCs' digitalization efforts. The Frontier Tech Leaders Programme is supported by the Government of Turkey.
The graduates received their certificates and three outstanding projects were awarded special prizes for their innovative approach and potential impact. “Road Accident Risk Prediction”, focusing on SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), won first place. “Agricultural Crop Prediction Using Machine Learning”, addressing SDGs 13 (Climate Action), 15 (Life on Land) and 2 (Zero Hunger), won second place. Finally, “Vegetation Assessment in the Republic of Djibouti Using Machine Learning”, focusing on SDGs 13 (Climate Action) and 15 (Life on Land), won third place. These projects not only demonstrate the application of advanced technologies but also highlight Djibouti’s commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Umarkale Abdillahi, an alumnus of the FTL program, cited a Somali proverb that says, “Only when you have information can you make decisions,” emphasizing the importance of data for informed decision-making and using data to pursue excellence.
Moving forward, FTL Djibouti will continue preparing for its next cohort as it continues its mission to empower young leaders and foster technological innovation in Djibouti.
