Bin Sulayem said the legal ruling meant that all options are open to his company and he would now meet with advisers before proceeding with steps to reach compensation.

Djibouti Ports and Free Zone Authority (DPFZA) said in March it was willing to buy out DP World's 33 percent stake in the container terminal, but Bin Sulayem said no contact or discussion over any sale had ever been made.

He said he would now seek continued arbitration between the two parties to reconfirm rights, to validate the contract, and to "expose illegal activities of Djibouti."

Bin Sulayem added that it was a worrying development for capital making its way to the African continent.

"I can tell you it is putting a shadow on investment in Africa and it is making such investment more expensive. We continue to invest but I'm sure others are looking at this as an example," he said.

The Doraleh Container Terminal is the largest employer in Djibouti. The country is small but attracts investment because of its strategic location where the Red Sea meets the Gulf of Aden.

Somaliland investment