Jeddah, 3 February 2026 – The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and the Republic of Djibouti today signed a US$26.10 million financing agreement to establish Djibouti’s first National Oncology Center. The total project cost is US$28.35 million. The project will expand access to specialized cancer diagnosis and treatment and help reduce the need for care abroad.

The agreement was signed at the Bank’s headquarters in Jeddah by H.E. Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser, President of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), and H.E. Mr. Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh, Minister of Economy and Finance in charge of Industry and Planning of the Republic of Djibouti (IsDB Governor).

Djibouti continues to strengthen its health system response to non-communicable diseases, including cancer, which accounts for a significant share of hospital admissions and in-hospital deaths. The project will support these efforts by establishing a dedicated oncology facility that brings diagnosis and treatment closer to patients and eases the financial and logistical burden on families that often comes with seeking care abroad.

Once operational, the Center is expected to provide outpatient cancer-related services to 6,000 people each year, with at least 60 percent women, and inpatient services to 1,200 people each year. It is also expected to help lower the annual expense of cancer-related treatment abroad by up to 50 percent, while improving survivorship outcomes, including breast cancer.

IsDB financing will contribute US$26.10 million toward the total project cost of US$28.35 million, alongside a Government contribution of US$2.25 million. The initiative includes a Reverse Linkage component of US$0.40 million to support peer-to-peer knowledge sharing and training that builds local medical capacity.

This work follows the successful modernization of Al-Shifa Hospital and reinforces the long-term partnership between the IsDB Group and Djibouti.