Hargeisa (Hornpost) President of the Republic of Somaliland, H.E. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi (Cirro), on Wednesday officially launched the Somaliland Livestock Trade and Production Exhibition, the first event of its kind to be held in the country.
The two-day exhibition, hosted at the Grand Haadi Hotel in Hargeisa, was organized by the Ministry of Livestock and Rural Development in partnership with national and international stakeholders working in the livestock sector.
The exhibition serves as a national platform bringing together government officials, producers, traders, investors, and development partners to showcase the full potential of Somaliland’s livestock industry and to strengthen the value chain—from animal health and production to trade and marketing.
Addressing the gathering, Minister of Livestock and Rural Development Dr. Omar Shu’aib Mohamed and Director General Ahmed Osman Jama (Talosame) outlined the objectives of the exhibition, noting that it aims to promote innovation, improve productivity, and unlock new commercial opportunities within the livestock sector.
They emphasized that the initiative is designed to enhance income generation, create employment, and support Somaliland’s broader economic development, particularly in rural communities where livestock remains the primary livelihood.
In his keynote speech, President Cirro praised the Ministry of Livestock and its partners for organizing the exhibition, describing livestock as the backbone of Somaliland’s economy, a cornerstone of its cultural heritage, and the main source of foreign currency earnings through exports.
The President highlighted that livestock constitutes a central pillar of Somaliland’s gross domestic product (GDP) and remains vital to the daily lives of citizens across the country.
He stressed the need for a fundamental shift away from traditional livestock management practices, warning that current methods are no longer sustainable in the face of environmental degradation, recurring droughts, and climate change.
President Cirro reaffirmed the government’s commitment to modernizing the sector through improved livestock husbandry, rangeland protection, disease control, climate resilience measures, and the establishment of new grazing reserves nationwide.
Concluding his remarks, the President welcomed both local and international investors, stating that Somaliland’s livestock trade and production sector remains open to fair, transparent, and mutually beneficial investment partnerships.
Policy and Economic Analysis Angle:
The launch of Somaliland’s first Livestock Trade and Production Exhibition reflects a broader policy shift toward modernizing the livestock economy, which remains the country’s most strategic economic asset.
Livestock exports account for many of Somaliland’s foreign exchange earnings, particularly through regional markets in the Gulf.
However, the sector has long been constrained by traditional production methods, weak value chains, environmental pressure, and vulnerability to climate shocks.
By framing the exhibition as a national platform for innovation and investment, the government is signaling a move toward value-chain development rather than reliance solely on live animal exports. This includes improving animal health systems, enhancing productivity, strengthening market access, and encouraging private-sector participation.
President Cirro’s emphasis on rangeland management, climate resilience, and disease control aligns with emerging policy priorities aimed at safeguarding long-term sustainability. Recurrent droughts and land degradation have exposed structural weaknesses in the livestock economy, making reform increasingly urgent.
From an economic perspective, the exhibition also serves as an investment signaling mechanism, positioning Somaliland’s livestock sector as open to domestic and international capital. If backed by consistent policy implementation, regulatory reform, and infrastructure development, such initiatives could help diversify income streams, stabilize rural livelihoods, and reduce vulnerability to external shocks.
Ultimately, the success of this policy direction will depend on translating high-level commitments into measurable outcomes—particularly in animal health services, market integration, and climate-adaptive production systems.
Pictures of the event:
Prepared by:
Hornpost staff Reporter
