"With this new world-class infrastructure, Djibouti confirms its position as a major trading hub for the continent,” said Aboubaker Omar Hadi, chairman of the DPFZA, which split the cost of the port with Hong Kong-based China Merchant Holding.

Foreign powers including France, the United States and Japan have military bases in Djibouti due to its strategic location along the shipping lane leading to the Suez Canal, while China is also building a facility. President Ismail Omar Guelleh’s administration sees the infrastructure programme as key to turning Djibouti into a "new Dubai” competing for business with overcrowded African ports such as Mombasa in Kenya.

A new livestock port is already open, and two other facilities for shipping salt and potash are due to go into operation next month.