Today, we’re traveling from Hargeisa north east to Berbera port; one of the up-and-coming ports in the Horn of Africa.
DP World and the Somaliland government are investing over 1bn (USD) over a ten year period in the East African Corridor linking Berbera to Addis Ababa.
Editor-in-Chief, Gus Anderson: We’re here in Berbera, Somaliland, and I’m honored to be joined by Said Hassan Abdullahi, the General Manager and Director General of Somaliland Ports Authority overseeing the operations in Berbera Port.
It is a pleasure to be with you, Said.
Director General of Somaliland Ports Authority, Said Hassan Abdullahi: Thank you very much.
It’s a pleasure for me as well to come here to Berbera.
Editor-in-Chief, Gus Anderson: It is my pleasure to be here for the first time in Berbera, and also in Somaliland.
DP World Involvement: Step-by-Step Development
Director General of Somaliland Ports Authority, Said Hassan Abdullahi: DP World Ports has been working here in Berbera since 2017.
Stage one of its development is now complete in 2021.
Now, we see stage two taking place.
Editor-in-Chief, Gus Anderson: What did Stage One Achieve? How is Stage Two Building on the Previous Stage?
Thank you very much, for having this this discussion with me. We are so pleased to receive DP World to alongside Somaliland.
We're really so proud, and it's our pleasure that we do business with them.
We completed phase one in 2021.
Upgrades: Supply-Side Capacity
Before we did not have a container terminal. Since then, we signed a agreement with DP and have gained container terminals.
We built the first container terminal, which is 400m quay extension and also four 300,000m container terminal.
Somaliland's partnership with DP World has transformed the Port of Berbera into a key trade gateway in the Horn Of Africa.
Signed in 2016, the thirty year agreement includes port expansion, a free trade zone, and the Berbera corridor linking the port to Ethiopia.
"A port without free zone... is not a port, right?"
Also, the free zone creates a lot of local employment.
The advantage, we have aslo, is our partnership with DP World and it’s free zone in Jebel Ali Port in Dubai.
That is another advantage because Jebel Ali companies can easily move into East Africa, to Somaliland.
We divide the development into three phases.
Berbera’s Relative Geoeconomic Value
Berbera Port holds significant geopolitical value due to its position along the Red Sea and Gulf Of Aden, one of the world’s busiest maritime corridors.
It’s location offers strategic access for global powers seeking influence over trade routes, naval presence, and security operations in the Horn Of Africa and beyond.
Compared to other ports in the Horn of Africa like Doreleh Port in Djibouti and Port Sudan in Sudan.
Berbera Port is unique because of the location and efficiency.
It is located in a strategic area, which is the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb.
30% of global cargo goes through the Bab el-Mandeb.
However, in Berbera it is easier to dock because Berbera port sits on the Gulf of Aden before vessels transit through the Mandeb Strait.
Secure Maritime Route: Piracy & Yemeni Factor
As I said before, there is no piracy along our coastline even though we have 850km of coastline.
Right? Because of that our Somaliland people are committed to be safe for all Somalilanders and the international community.
The powers come from within the nation; our nation is free from the pirates.
Also we have a very strong coastguard force who deal with it.
The only problem we had is, the Houthis. During this problem and the war in Israel and all this.
In addition to the Berbera Port project, the UAE has made other significant investments in Somaliland.
These include the redevelopment of Berbera Airport and the Berbera Corridor Road, which enhances regional connectivity and strengthens Somaliland’s position as a key logistics link between Africa and the Middle East.
Stay Tuned for the Full Exclusive Interview with DET!
Similar Insights on the Horn of Africa at DET include:
Exclusive: Recognition, Somalia, and Normalisation
Two Arteries, One Lifeline: Somaliland and Taiwan Talk Maritime Cooperation
Zainabiyyat: The Houthi’s Veil of Truth
