Somalia is at a pivotal stage in its economic recovery, actively rebuilding the core systems vital for national prosperity. Given its long coastline and strategic position at the confluence of major global shipping lanes, the transport system's modernization hinges almost entirely on developing resilient and efficient Strategic Coastal Infrastructure. The focus is on turning major ports—such as Mogadishu, Berbera, and the emerging Garacad—into regional gateways that can process international trade and connect the country’s vast interior to global markets.
This concentrated investment, often driven by public-private partnerships, is rapidly transforming Somalia's status from a fragile state to a competitive logistics player in the Horn of Africa, directly supporting the government's economic roadmap.
Port Modernization: Building a Regional Trade Gateway
The most visible sign of this transformation is the aggressive Port Modernization underway, particularly at Mogadishu. Ranked highly among efficient ports in East Africa by recent international indices, the capital's port is critical to national revenue and imports.
Mogadishu and New Development Hubs
Under new management, Mogadishu Port has seen capacity increases, with a new container terminal inaugurated in late 2025 that raised annual handling capacity to 250,000 TEUs. More significantly, plans are actively proceeding to construct a new, state-of-the-art port facility and adjacent Special Economic Zone (SEZ) about 35 kilometres outside Mogadishu. This landmark initiative is designed to handle rapidly increasing trade volumes, attract substantial foreign investment, and establish integrated logistics hubs for transshipment cargo and light industry. This approach elevates the port's role far beyond cargo handling, establishing it as a true Regional Trade Gateway.
Competing Coastal Corridors
This development is complemented by investment in other coastal hubs. The Berbera Port, under DP World's management, continues its expansion, aiming to serve as a critical access point for landlocked Ethiopia through its integrated Free Zone and associated corridors. Similarly, the new deep-water port in Gara'ad (Puntland), aims to open up a central hub for commercial activity and enhance food security. This coastal competition is a net positive, driving efficiency and redundancy across Somalia's Strategic Coastal Infrastructure.
The Road Network Challenge: Connecting Coast to Hinterland
The success of Strategic Coastal Infrastructure is contingent upon robust Road Network Connectivity. Decades of conflict and a lack of maintenance have left Somalia with an extensive, yet largely deteriorated, road network. The majority of the country's roads are in poor to very poor condition, creating a major bottleneck for goods moving inland.
To address this, the government has announced ambitious initiatives, such as the "Nagaad Projects," which include a major highway linking Saylac and Borama to serve the northwestern corridor. Furthermore, regional corridors like the Garacad–Galkacyo–Galdogob road are planned to link the new coastal ports directly to the Ethiopian border, reducing transport costs and improving Road Network Connectivity. These road rehabilitation and construction projects, often backed by development partners like the World Bank, are essential for ensuring the modernized ports can fully utilize their potential to spur trade and support national economic growth.
The sustained focus on integrated Strategic Coastal Infrastructure and improved road links is the fundamental engine driving Somalia's economic renewal and its emergence as a vital player in regional logistics.
Take Action Now
Considering the immense benefits, which single development do you believe is more crucial for Somalia’s long-term economic stability: the physical expansion and modernization of Mogadishu Port or the critical effort to establish reliable Road Network Connectivity to the hinterland? Share your thoughts below!
