Obock, Djibouti – In the quiet coastal city of Obock, Djibouti, a small recycling facility is making a big difference. Known as “La Fabrick”, the initiative is turning plastic waste into sturdy paving stones, offering a practical solution to a growing environmental challenge and a pathway to opportunity for people like Kadidja Ali Mohamed.
“I’m helping to reduce waste in my city,” Kadidja says with pride. “At the same time, my work helps produce paving stones.”
Kadidja Ali Mohamed, a young woman from Obock working at “La Fabrick”. Photo: IOM Djibouti 2024/Bianca Manacorda
Obock, located in the northeastern corner of Djibouti, is a place of breathtaking natural beauty, home to mangroves, mountains and rich biodiversity. It is also a major transit point for migrants traveling along the Eastern Route between the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.
In recent years, the town has seen rapid population growth, leading to a surge in household waste that has outpaced the capacity of local infrastructure. This strain has put the region’s biodiversity, its natural resources, and the livelihoods that depend on it at risk.
Plastic pollution has also fueled tensions between host communities and migrants. Despite the lack of concrete evidence to suggest that transiting migrants are the primary source for this waste, perceptions often tell a different story. Migrants passing through this region frequently carry plastic water bottles for survival and this visibility has unfortunately contributed to harmful stereotypes.
To address these challenges, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) partnered with the Regional Council and Prefecture of Obock to foster innovative solutions aimed at mitigating environmental degradation, generate income for vulnerable communities, and foster social cohesion between host communities and migrants.
In July 2022, with funding from the European Union, IOM helped establish “La Fabrick” – a facility dedicated to recycling plastic waste into interlocking paving stones. Two years later, in September 2024, “La Fabrick” was officially handed over to the Obock Regional Council. This transition marked a key milestone toward local ownership, sustainability, and production. While IOM continues to provide technical support, the Council’s leadership has already brought impressive results.
Ceremony for the handover of “La Fabrick” recycling plant to the Obock Regional Council. Photo: IOM Djibouti 2024/Eva Sibanda
Thanks to stronger partnerships, technical upgrades, and a streamlined production process, the facility’s output has increased from an average of 100 to 800 paving stones per week. But it is the people behind the machines who are driving change. Kadidja, 27, has been working with her small team from “La Fabrick” for nearly two years. This is her first job and she is determined to make a difference in her hometown.
She now plays a vital role in the recycling process. Kadidja walks us through the different stages of plastic waste transformation: the collected plastic waste is first sorted and cleaned, then melted and molded into solid paving stones.
Kadidja demonstrates the plastic waste recycling process: sorting, cleaning, melting, and molding. Photo: IOM Djibouti 2023/Bianca Manacorda
Working with the five employees who run the facility are 16 men and 14 women from vulnerable communities in Fantahero. They work as plastic collectors, bringing in up to 10 kilograms of plastic waste each week as part of a cash-for-work programme implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). At the same time, they also raise awareness on environmental issues throughout the community.
“Being part of this activity allows us to earn an income while also doing something meaningful,” Kadidja says.
A plastic waste collector in Obock, part of the cash-for-work programme supporting “La Fabrick”. Photo: IOM Djibouti 2023/Bianca Manacorda
Through the combined efforts of local authorities, international partners, and the people of Obock – especially young workers like Kadidja – the initiative is not only reducing plastic pollution but also creating jobs, strengthening social cohesion, and inspiring a new model for sustainable waste management in Djibouti. As production scales up and new partnerships take root, “La Fabrick” is paving the way – quite literally – for a cleaner, more resilient future.
The “La Fabrick” recycling facility is currently funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, supporting a range of initiatives focused on product commercialization, the development of new partnerships, and the diversification of production.
This story was written by Kaousar Saad, Communications Assistant with IOM Djibouti.
