Which ways of sending money are licensed?
The service must be on the Central Bank of Djibouti’s list of licensed institutions, and authorised in the country where you live.
| Channel | Licensed services | Your parent receives it | Check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bank transfer | BCIMR, Bank of Africa Mer Rouge, CAC International Bank, Saba African Bank, Salaam African Bank, East Africa Bank | In their account, or the hospital’s | The final amount in DJF |
| Transfer company | Dahabshiil, Amal Express, Taaj, Kaah Express, Iftin Express, MoneyGram | At the agent’s counter | Delivery time and how it is collected |
| Western Union | Through CAC International Bank, Saba African Bank or La Poste de Djibouti | At those counters | The exchange rate applied |
| Mobile wallet | D-Money, WAAFI | On their phone | That your sending service can credit it |
What does a transfer really cost?
The fee on screen is only part of the price: the rest hides in the exchange rate. The Djibouti franc has been pegged to the dollar since 1973, at 177.721 DJF to 1 USD, so 100 dollars are worth 17,772 DJF.
A rate well below that peg is a margin taken on the exchange. From euros or pounds, the rate follows those currencies against the dollar. So compare the exact amount in DJF that will arrive, the delivery time and how it is collected.
Can I pay the hospital or clinic directly?
When the facility accepts it, it is the safest option: your parent carries no cash, and you know where every franc goes. Ask reception for the payment methods it accepts, its official bank details and the name to put on the invoice.
Public fees are official and low (details on medyc.io/sante). Private clinics display theirs at the entrance: ask for a written quote before a test or a hospital stay.
| Consultation | Fee |
|---|---|
| Health centre, Djibouti City polyclinic or CMH | 3,000 DJF |
| Specialist, public facility | 3,000 DJF |
| Emergency department, flat fee | 6,000 DJF |
| Regional health post | 1,500 DJF |
Does their AMU or PASS card already cover the care?
Check before you send. Universal health insurance (AMU) covers retirees on a pension below 50,000 DJF a month free of charge, and PASS covers people with no income. With a card, care is covered at providers under agreement with the CNSS.
Did your parent pay upfront at a contracted provider? The law provides for reimbursement: keep the invoice and prescription, and ask the CNSS (114) which documents to attach.
Which receipts should you keep, and who signs off on spending?
For every expense, keep the transfer receipt, the invoice and the prescription, photographed into a shared folder if several relatives chip in.
Agree in advance who approves a new expense. Leave a small cash reserve with the person on the spot too: in an emergency, they call 119 without waiting for your transfer.
If Medyc arranges the care in Djibouti City, with a doctor or nurse at home from 5,000 DJF or a video consultation from 3,000 DJF, the team confirms the total cost and payment from your country before any care.
Your questions, answered
What is the safest way to send money to Djibouti?
An institution on the Central Bank of Djibouti’s list: a bank, a licensed transfer company or an e-money issuer. For a large sum, a transfer to the hospital’s account leaves the best trail.
How many Djibouti francs is 100 US dollars?
17,772 DJF at the official peg of 177.721 DJF to 1 USD, unchanged since 1973. The amount received is lower once the service’s fees and exchange margin are taken off.
Can I send money to a D-Money or WAAFI wallet from abroad?
They are the two e-money issuers licensed by the Central Bank. Ask your sending service whether it can credit these wallets, and the clinic whether it accepts that payment.
Does the CNSS reimburse care paid out of pocket?
The universal health insurance law provides for reimbursement when the insured person paid upfront. Keep the invoice and prescription, and fill in the CNSS reimbursement request form.
Sources & further reading
- Central Bank of Djibouti: licensed institutions
- Central Bank of Djibouti: history of the Djibouti franc (177.721 DJF peg)
- Official Journal: Decree 2017-114/PR/MS on public facility fees
- Official Journal: Decree 2024-219/PR/MS on private health facilities (price display)
- Official Journal: Law 24/AN/14/7e L on universal health insurance
- CNSS: forms, including the reimbursement request
- CHU de Djibouti: 119 (SMUR)
- Medyc: care prices and hospitals in Djibouti
- Medyc: arranging a relative’s care in Djibouti from abroad
This guide explains how to organise care. It does not provide a diagnosis or individual medical advice. How we write our guides
