Natural resources of Djibouti
Oil, gas, minerals, forests and water in Djibouti: what it produces, how it ranks in the world, who mines it and what it earns. Every figure is from an official source and is updated when the source is.
Resource rents, share of GDP (2021)
0.3 %
Resources, share of goods exports (2023)
1.7 %
Forest, share of land (2024)
0.3 %
Source: World Bank; UN Comtrade; U.S. Energy Information Administration. Last checked 24 October 2026.
Mining and minerals
The U.S. Geological Survey records 5 mineral commodities with published production in Djibouti between 2019 and 2023, from metals and gemstones to industrial minerals and fuels. The table includes processed products such as cement and steel, which USGS reports alongside raw minerals.
Showing 5 of 5
| Cement, hydraulic | Industrial Minerals | thousand metric tons | 250 | 240 | 380 | 480 | 540 | 2020: e; 2021: e; 2022: e; 2023: e |
| Clay, common | Industrial Minerals | Not published | 33,000 | 44,000 | 76,000 | 96,000 | 110,000 | Not published |
| Salt | Industrial Minerals | Not published | 500 | 500 | 500 | 500 | 500 | Not published |
| Sand and gravel, aggregates, unspecified | Industrial Minerals | Not published | 1,900,000 | 1,800,000 | 1,900,000 | 2,900,000 | 3,200,000 | Not published |
| Stone, crushed, limestone | Industrial Minerals | Not published | 250,000 | 330,000 | 570,000 | 720,000 | 810,000 | Not published |
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Minerals Yearbook, country tables. Last checked 24 October 2026.
Showing 3 of 3
| Cement | Cimenterie d’Ali Sabieh S.A. (Government 100%) | Plant at Ali Sabieh | 240,000 | Not published |
| Cement | Nael Cement Products (subsidiary of Nael General Contracting Establishment) | Plant at Balbala | 220,000 | Not published |
| Salt | Artisanal miners | Mines at Lake Assal | 12,000 | Not published |
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Minerals Yearbook 2016, Djibouti. Last checked 24 October 2026.
What natural resources earn
Natural resource rents were 0.3% of GDP in 2021, with forests and timber the largest part. That ranks Djibouti 52nd of 54 African countries. See all 54.
View the data as a table
| Period | Forests |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 0.8 % |
| 2011 | 0.9 % |
| 2012 | 0.9 % |
| 2013 | 0.5 % |
| 2014 | 0.8 % |
| 2015 | 0.7 % |
| 2016 | 0.5 % |
| 2017 | 0.6 % |
| 2018 | 0.3 % |
| 2019 | 0.4 % |
| 2020 | 0.3 % |
| 2021 | 0.3 % |
| 2022 | Not published |
| 2023 | Not published |
| 2024 | Not published |
| 2025 | Not published |
| 2026 | Not published |
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators. Last checked 24 October 2026.
Forest, share of land (2024)
0.3 %
Arable land, share of land (2024)
0.2 %
Renewable fresh water per person (2022)
264 m³
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators. Last checked 24 October 2026.
Method and sources
Oil, gas and coal output and coal reserves are from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Oil and gas proved reserves are the EIA figures republished by Our World in Data; oil is converted from cubic metres to barrels at the standard factor. World production, reserves and ranks are from the U.S. Geological Survey Mineral Commodity Summaries, ranked among the countries USGS names. The full list of commodities and the companies that mine them are from the USGS Minerals Yearbook country tables, which run a few years behind. Rents, land and water are from the World Bank, and export shares from UN Comtrade. Nothing is estimated by us. Figures last checked on 24 October 2026.
USGS country page for Djibouti. EIA international energy data. World Bank resource rents.
Frequently asked questions
What natural resources does Djibouti have?
Djibouti's main natural resources are salt and stone. The World Bank puts natural resource rents at 0.3% of GDP in 2021, mostly from forests and timber.
Does Djibouti produce oil?
The U.S. Energy Information Administration records no meaningful crude oil production for Djibouti in 2025.
What is Djibouti's most valuable natural resource?
By export earnings, oil, gas and coal: 1% of goods exports in 2023, according to UN Comtrade.
How much do natural resources contribute to Djibouti's economy?
Natural resource rents, the value of resources extracted minus the cost of extracting them, were 0.3% of GDP in 2021. That ranks Djibouti 52nd of 54 African countries.
Which companies mine in Djibouti?
The U.S. Geological Survey's 2016 list of Djibouti's mineral industry names 2 operating companies, including Cimenterie d’Ali Sabieh S.A. and Nael Cement Products. The full list is on this page.