Arta

Arta represents Djibouti's attempt to diversify beyond the capital's port and military dependency through geothermal development in the East African Rift. The region sits atop one of the world's most tectonically active zones, where the Arabian and African plates pull apart at roughly 16 millimeters per year. This geological process creates surface temperatures reaching 99°C in some areas, with the Arta Qiqleh geothermal prospect identified as a key development site.

The region borders Lake Asal, the lowest point in Africa at 155 meters below sea level and the third-lowest exposed point on Earth. The lake's salinity exceeds the Dead Sea's by 10 times, creating an environment so extreme that only specialized extremophile bacteria survive. This geological uniqueness has attracted both scientific interest and development investment, with the African Development Bank funding geothermal exploration projects in the adjacent Assal region with potential capacity of 50 MW, though Djibouti's overall geothermal resources could reach 1,000 MW.

Arta has become a regional meeting point for East African coordination, hosting IGAD blue economy governance meetings in 2025. The region receives 150-250mm of annual rainfall in its mountains, slightly higher than Djibouti's coastal average, enabling limited pastoral activity. Agriculture contributes only 3% to the national economy, but approximately 30% of Djibouti's rural population depends on it. The region illustrates the challenge of developing alternative economic activities in a country where 85% of GDP concentrates in services, primarily port and military operations in the capital. Geothermal development represents a potential breakthrough, using underground heat to power desalination plants and reduce food import dependency.