DJIBOUTI CITY, July 15, 2024 — Today, the Frontier Tech Leaders (FTL) Djibouti marks a significant milestone with the Machine Learning Bootcamp graduation ceremony. The event, hosted by the Center for Leadership and Entrepreneurship (CLE), gathered esteemed guests including Ministers, UN Representatives, Ambassadors, Government Officials, and the graduates.

Launched on March 5, 2024, FTL Djibouti Machine Learning Bootcamp aimed to equip participants with essential digital skills and foster innovation in Djibouti's tech ecosystem. Out of over 500 applicants, 43 talented individuals were selected, representing a diverse cohort from Djibouti's universities, public, and private sectors. After a rigorous training, 23 participants successfully completed the Bootcamp, presenting their capstone projects focused on leveraging machine learning to address pressing societal challenges.

The ceremony included addresses from honorary speakers, including H.E. Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh, Minister of Economy and Finance, in charge of Industry of the Republic of Djibouti; H.E. Mariam Hamadou, Minister Delegate to Digital Economy and Innovation of the Republic of Djibouti;  Ms. Emma Ngouan-Anoh, UNDP Djibouti Resident Representative;  Mr. Deodat Maharaj, The United Nations Technology Bank (UNTB) Managing Director and Mr. Gokhan Dikmener, UNDP Istanbul International Center for Private Sector in Development (ICPSD) Technical Specialist.

H.E Mr. Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh, Minister of Economy and Finance, in charge of Industry, emphasized: “It is imperative for Djibouti to develop a wide range of digital skills to ensure the sustainable development of our nation and to diversify our economy.” The Minister also announced the upcoming launch of the second training cohort, encouraging partners to promote the FTL Programme for more young Djiboutian talents to benefit.

H.E. Mariam Hamadou, Minister Delegate to Digital Economy and Innovation highlighted the alignment of the programme with the national priorities: “This programme symbolizes not only a commitment to the future but also our determination to prepare our population for the challenges of the 21st century.”

Ms. Emma Ngouan-Anoh, UNDP Djibouti Resident Representative, said, “UNDP Djibouti is proud to be the first to implement the Frontier Tech Leaders Programme in the country. This would not be possible without the strong support from the Djibouti government and H.E. Minister Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh himself.”

Mr. Deodat Maharaj, UNTB Managing Director, emphasized the importance of digital skills for the future development of Least Developed Countries (LDCs), stating, “Equipping youth with digital skills is not just about preparing them for jobs; it is about empowering them to drive societal advancement and sustainable growth, positioning LDCs at the forefront of global innovation.” Mr. Gokhan Dikmener, UNDP ICPSD Technical Specialist, emphasized the importance of South-South Cooperation in the LDCs digitalization efforts. The Frontier Tech Leaders Programme is supported by the Government of Türkiye.

The graduates received their completion certificates, with special awards given to three exceptional projects for their innovative approaches and potential impact. “Predicting the Risk of Road Accidents,” focusing on SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), earned first place. In the second place was “Predicting Agricultural Crops Using Machine Learning,” which addresses SDGs 13 (Climate Action), 15 (Life on Land), and 2 (Zero Hunger), secured second place. Lastly, “Using Machine Learning to Assess Vegetation in the Republic of Djibouti,” centered on SDGs 13 (Climate Action) and 15 (Life on Land), placed third. These projects not only demonstrate advanced technological applications but also underscore Djibouti's commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Ms. Oumalkaire Abdillahi, a graduate of the FTL Programme, quoted a Somali proverb: “It is when we get the information that we can make a decision,” emphasizing the importance of data for informed decision-making and the use of data to strive for excellence.

Looking ahead, FTL Djibouti prepares for its next cohort, continuing its mission to empower young leaders and foster technological innovation in Djibouti.