Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro on Tuesday urged international investors to channel capital into the Somaliland, telling a UAE–Africa summit that his government is committed to creating a business-friendly environment.
Irro said Somaliland is seeking investment in energy, electricity, maritime and blue economy industries, artificial intelligence, mining, and agriculture. He described the country as “a land of opportunity, an untapped market ready for investment.”
He pointed to existing partnerships as evidence of progress, citing Dubai-based DP World’s modernization of Berbera port, the creation of a free trade zone, and the construction of a corridor linking Berbera to Ethiopia. Irro praised the company for making what he called the largest foreign investment in Somaliland.
DP World Chairman Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem endorsed Somaliland’s potential, noting its position along major global trade routes and proximity to Ethiopia, which relies heavily on seaports. He said Berbera has emerged as one of the Horn of Africa’s leading ports after significant investment.
Irro also drew attention to Somaliland’s political history, saying it declared independence before other states in the region and remains the only part of the former union with Somalia to have directly elected its president.
This marked Irro’s second appearance at an international investment forum in the United Arab Emirates as his administration seeks foreign capital to boost infrastructure and economic growth.
