Communication in Djibouti

In everyday life, people in Djibouti communicate in person, by telephone or digitally. Somali and Afar are frequently used in daily conversation. Arabic and French are the official languages and are suitable for formal letters, contracts and contact with authorities. A nationwide obligation to provide interpreters has not been documented, so the appropriate language and channel should be clarified with the relevant office. The Constitution protects equality without discrimination based on language, but it does not replace a specific language rule of an authority or provider. No binding nationwide communication etiquette has been documented. In case of misunderstandings, names, location, date and amount should be confirmed in writing. For mobile, fixed-line and internet services, the main providers are the telecommunications provider (Djibouti Telecom) and mobile provider (Mobile Pro). A Mobile Pro Silver plan costs 7,000 DJF and includes 400 minutes and 20 GB; Gold costs 10,000 DJF and includes 520 minutes and 40 GB. Data plans range from 1 GB for 200 DJF and 24 hours to 20 GB for 3,000 DJF and 30 days. Other packages include 5 GB for 500 DJF and three days, and 12 GB for 1,000 DJF and seven days. The Tranquillite service (Tranquillite) is intended to be taken out at the main agency with identification. Actual usability depends on the provider, plan, network coverage and device. NetCatOnline received authorization in 2026 for the national fixed-line network, internet, private data transmission and passive infrastructure. Contracts should be clear and legible in Arabic or French and include information on legal remedies, compensation, interruptions, quality, continuity and availability. There is no uniform connection deadline. La Poste de Djibouti offers nationwide acceptance, sorting, transport and delivery of letters and parcels. Its services include postal money orders, postal accounts, postal savings, EMS for international shipments, and digital and business delivery services. Djib-Express and Delivery Express operate within Djibouti-ville; door-to-door delivery is aimed mainly at larger senders. The PosTransfert transfer service (PosTransfert) enables national and international transfers, including to France, Senegal, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Madagascar and Qatar. The e-Suuq delivery service (e-Suuq) uses a delivery address in France. What3words can help with locations that are difficult to address. Parcels have a maximum weight of 20 kg. An online rate simulator and shipment tracking are available; transit time and scope of service depend on the service selected. Postal correspondence is protected by confidentiality, and La Poste performs the role of the public universal postal provider. The digital government system, e-government (E-Gouvernement), brings together administrative information and services covering areas including identity and family, health and social affairs, education, housing, transport, justice, business and finance, foreigners, energy and water, and security. The portal of the national e-government agency (ANSIE) operates under the Presidency. La Poste offers online, among other things, applications or certificates relating to criminal records and non-conviction. Djibouti Telecom links digital services such as D-Money, webmail and a customer portal. Access depends on the service and may require internet access, a device and identity verification; a general offline or counter-based replacement is not guaranteed. The Digital Code (Code Numérique) regulates electronic communication. Fees and deadlines vary by service. The Ministry of Communication, Post and Telecommunications is responsible for telecommunications and postal services. The telecommunications and postal regulator (ARMD) handles, among other matters, licences, quality, user interests, frequencies and information. E-government falls within the responsibilities of ANSIE. ARMD can be contacted at +253 21 44 13 10 and contact@armd.dj, ANSIE at contact@ansie.dj, and the ministry at contact@communication.gouv.dj. In the event of a disruption or dispute, the contract, plan, proof of payment and messages should be secured; the provider or authority should first be contacted in writing, followed by ARMD. No uniform complaint deadline, fee or ombudsman service has been documented. NetCatOnline contracts must include information on legal remedies and compensation. For emergencies, published government information gives different numbers. One reviewed foreign travel advisory lists 999 for the police, 116 for the gendarmerie, 18 for fire and ambulance services in the city centre, and 119 for ambulances in Balbala. Another lists 17 for the police, 18 for fire and ambulance services, and the ambulance numbers +253 21 35 09 62 and +253 21 35 27 12. Local ministry pages do not confirm a single uniform list. When calling, the location and type of emergency should be stated clearly, and the number should be verified locally before use. The Direction Générale de la Police Nationale can be reached at +253 21 35 11 71, and the Direction Nationale de la Protection Civile at +253 21 35 25 18. The National Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ANPH) establishes disability status through a commission and a biometric card. No specific nationwide verified services for screen readers, relay services, sign language or Braille on telecommunications and government channels have been identified. A 2025 workshop by ITU, MCPT and ARMD addressed a national emergency communication plan, the Common Alerting Protocol and Cell Broadcast. Legal protection against discrimination is documented; specific communication-access rights, special tariffs and special deadlines have not been verified. No nationwide interpreting or accessibility service for communication was found.