📖 About Ali Sabieh

Ali Sabieh is the second-most populous city in Djibouti and capital of the Ali Sabieh Region. Located about 93 kilometers southwest of Djibouti City and just 10 kilometers from the Ethiopian border, it sprawls across a wide basin surrounded by granitic mountains on all sides.

The city lies along National Highway 5 and serves as a crucial crossroads of commercial routes. In 2025, Ali Sabieh was selected to host the National Solidarity Week (Semaine Nationale de la Solidarité), recognizing its role as a living example of resilience and community strength.

Ali Sabieh's economy relies on tourism, agriculture, and small factories primarily involved in building trades. The city has modern 3G and 4G mobile services provided by Djibouti Telecom, and local football club AS Ali Sabieh Djibouti Telecom competes in national and international competitions.

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💼 Economy & Culture

Ali Sabieh's economy is based on its strategic position along trade routes connecting Djibouti's port facilities to landlocked Ethiopia. Tourism, small-scale agriculture, and construction-related manufacturing provide local employment. The city benefits from its role as a transit hub.

Culturally, Ali Sabieh reflects the traditions of Djibouti's Afar and Issa peoples. The 2025 National Solidarity Week celebration showcased the community's hospitality and national pride. Traditional customs, languages, and way of life continue despite modernization, creating a unique blend of heritage and development.

📜 History

Ali Sabieh developed as a settlement along the historic trade and railway routes connecting the Horn of Africa's coast to the Ethiopian highlands. The Djibouti-Ethiopia Railway, built in the early 20th century, established the region's importance as a commercial corridor.

Since Djibouti's independence from France in 1977, Ali Sabieh has grown as the country's second city. Its strategic location near the Ethiopian border ensures continued importance for regional commerce. Today, the city balances preservation of its traditional character with investment in modern infrastructure and services.