ENOC Group Advances Critical Energy Infrastructure In East Africa

ENOC Group’s Acting CEO, Hussain Sultan Lootah, has completed a strategic mission to Djibouti and Ethiopia that strengthened the company’s role in East Africa’s energy infrastructure. The visit resulted in new coordination mechanisms with regional partners, focused on fuel storage, logistics efficiency, and long-term economic cooperation across key trade corridors.

A central outcome was an agreement in Addis Ababa to form a joint task force, bringing together ENOC Group, Djiboutian and Ethiopian stakeholders. The participants also approved a structured mechanism for rate determination. They agreed that this task force will meet regularly, providing continuous oversight for cross-border energy and logistics projects.

During the Djibouti leg, Hussain Sultan Lootah met President Ismail Omar Guelleh to discuss future storage capacity and related facilities. Lootah praised the country’s infrastructure progress and explored how Horizon Djibouti Terminals Limited, or HDTL, could speed up expansion of vital fuel storage, aligned with Djibouti’s wider economic and logistics ambitions.

The Acting CEO was joined in Djibouti by senior executives, including Fahad Askar, CEO of Horizon Terminals Limited, and Omar Kassou, General Manager of Horizon Djibouti Terminals Limited. This leadership presence underlined ENOC Group’s interest in East African energy trade routes and highlighted HDTL’s place within the company’s global terminals network.

Alongside the presidential meeting, Hussain Sultan Lootah held talks with Dr. Yonis Ali Guedi, Minister of Energy of Djibouti, and other senior officials. These discussions focused on HDTL’s role in supporting Djibouti’s economic plans, especially through investments that increase storage volumes and build new energy sector infrastructure within the port and hinterland.

In Addis Ababa, ENOC Group’s Acting CEO met the Minister of Energy of Djibouti, the Minister of Finance of Ethiopia, the Chairman of the Ethiopian Petroleum Supply Enterprise Board, the President of Ethiopian Investment Holdings, senior EPSE Management, and the CEO of Ethio-Djibouti Railways. The agenda covered tariffs, logistics, and coordinated planning for regional fuel movements.

ENOC Group energy infrastructure strategy and social impact

During the visit, Hussain Sultan Lootah stressed how ENOC Group and HDTL intend to link commercial plans with social impact. Discussions in both capitals highlighted support for job creation, improved fuel security, and more reliable supply chains, which are important for industrial growth in Djibouti, Ethiopia, and the broader East African market.

Hussain Sultan Lootah, Acting CEO of ENOC Group, said, "Leveraging ENOC Group and Horizon Djibouti Terminals Limited’s established expertise in terminal operations across East Africa, this strategic visit reinforces ENOC Group's commitment to advancing vital energy infrastructure and fuel storage capabilities in the region. Our discussions in Djibouti and Addis Ababa focused on deepening ties to enhance regional logistics and promote economic growth. These discussions reaffirm ENOC Group’s dedication to contributing positively to the communities we operate in and reflect our growing role in driving social impact and sustainable development at the global level."

The delegation also toured the AMG Holding plant at the invitation of the CEO of Ethio Djibouti Railways. The site visit provided detailed insight into rail-linked industrial operations. These observations are relevant for HDTL’s planned rail loading project, which aims to connect terminal activities more efficiently with inland transport networks.

With inputs from WAM