Mariam Hamadou Ali has been at the head of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Innovation since its creation in 2021, when it was established to play a key role in national development.

Mariam Hamadou Ali’s career began at the Ministry of Economy and Finance, which she joined in 1997. She worked in a number of exciting areas, which included managing the portfolio of state-owned companies, drawing up the ‘Vision 2035’ plan, and working in the Department of the Economy, Planning and Macroeconomic Analysis. Prior to this, Mariam studied at the University of Fez in Morocco and then, a few years later, in France, where she obtained a master’s degree in management and economic policy.

Since her appointment to the Ministry of Digital Economy and Innovation, the Minister has been at the forefront of Djibouti’s digital transformation, spearheading ambitious initiatives such as the national ‘Smart Nation’ strategy, which includes 150 projects valued at $850 million, aimed at transforming the country’s economy and society in the digital age. 

Her leadership has fostered a significant advance in digital payment technologies in the country, and laid the foundations for a more efficient administration.