HARGEISA, Somaliland — (Horn Post) Somaliland Ports and Duty-Free Zone Authority Chairman Mohamed Abdilarim Omar Marshall called for expanded public-private partnerships, saying investment—not aid—is key to developing Berbera Port, free zones, industrial parks, and logistics infrastructure.
Mohamed Abdilarim Omar Marshall, Chairman of the Board of the Somaliland Ports and Duty-Free Zone Authority, has called for expanding public-private partnerships (PPPs) to accelerate infrastructure development, industrialization, and long-term economic growth across Somaliland.
Speaking at a national forum on government-private sector cooperation, Marshall said Somaliland must move beyond policy discussions and focus on turning investment opportunities into transformative development projects.
“Let us move beyond discussions and seize opportunities. Let us turn opportunities into projects, projects into industries, and industries into sustainable economic growth,” he said.
PPPs Are More Than a Financing Tool
Marshall described public-private partnerships as more than a mechanism for raising capital, arguing that they also attract technology, innovation, expertise, and employment opportunities.
“There is no country that has achieved sustainable economic development without a genuine partnership between government and the private sector,” he said.
He noted that Somaliland continues to meet its governance responsibilities despite lacking access to many international financing mechanisms available to internationally recognized states.
Berbera Port Cited as a Model for Future Investment
Marshall highlighted the Berbera Port modernization project, developed in partnership with DP World, as evidence that strategic partnerships can transform Somaliland’s economy.
According to him, the success of Berbera was not simply a result of geography but of deliberate policy choices that prioritized investment over dependence on foreign aid.
He said Somaliland should now expand the PPP model to include:
- The Berbera Trade Corridor
- The Berbera Special Economic Zone
- Dry ports
- Industrial parks
- Logistics hubs
- Energy infrastructure
Free Zones and Logistics Key to Industrialization
Marshall emphasized that ports alone do not generate maximum economic value.
Instead, he argued that free zones, logistics centers, manufacturing industries, and integrated transport networks create the greatest opportunities for investment, exports, and employment.
He revealed that government agencies are strengthening coordination to accelerate infrastructure development supporting industrial parks and economic zones.
Regional Investment Models
Marshall pointed to neighboring countries as examples of how strategic investment can reshape national economies.
He referenced Ethiopia’s large-scale infrastructure financing and Kenya’s investment in transport, industrial parks, and energy projects as examples of governments using long-term investment strategies to stimulate economic growth, increase exports, and create jobs.
He argued that Somaliland should adopt a similarly ambitious investment agenda while leveraging its strategic position on the Red Sea.
Open Invitation to International Investors
Marshall concluded by reaffirming Somaliland’s commitment to attracting domestic and international investors.
He said the country remains open to partnerships that promote prosperity, industrial development, and sustainable economic growth.
“Business opportunities are open. We are ready for investment. We are ready for partnerships that lead to prosperity and economic development.”
Strategic Significance
Marshall’s remarks come as Somaliland seeks to position itself as a regional logistics and trade hub through the expansion of Berbera Port, the Berbera Corridor, and the Special Economic Zone.
The government’s broader strategy focuses on leveraging public-private partnerships to improve infrastructure, diversify the economy, strengthen regional connectivity, and increase foreign direct investment across the Horn of Africa.
Horn Post Staff
HARGEISA, Somaliland
