MOGADISHU, Somalia (HornPost) — Somalia’s Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama has inaugurated the Saabuuni Dam Development Project in the Middle Shabelle region, as the government seeks to improve water management, strengthen agricultural production and reduce dependence on international aid.
Speaking at the launch ceremony of the Jowhar Off-stream Storage Program (JOSP), Jama said the project aligns with the government’s National Transformation Plan for 2025–2029, which includes efforts to strengthen food security and develop the country’s infrastructure.
“This is a national project that embodies the vision of the National Transformation Plan (2025–2029),” Jama said.
The Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, Mohamed Abdi Hayir, known as Mareye, emphasized the need to secure sufficient funding to complete the dam.
“Today’s meeting is about mobilizing the required funding to realize the Saabuuni Dam — a vital project for our farmers and national development,” he said.
Yusuf Ahmed Hagar, deputy president of Hirshabelle state, pledged his administration’s cooperation in implementing the project. He described the dam as an important opportunity to strengthen the region’s agricultural economy and improve its resilience to drought.
Once completed, the Saabuuni Dam is expected to benefit more than 300,000 people by improving access to irrigation water and supporting livelihoods across Middle Shabelle, according to officials.
The project forms part of broader efforts to develop Somalia’s irrigation infrastructure and improve the management of water resources in a country frequently affected by droughts and floods.
HornPost Analysis: Water Infrastructure and Somalia’s Agricultural Future
The Saabuuni Dam project reflects Somalia’s stated ambition to complement emergency humanitarian assistance with long-term investment in infrastructure, water security and agricultural development.
Reliable irrigation could help farmers maintain crop production during dry periods, improve rural livelihoods and strengthen domestic food supplies. Better water storage and management could also contribute to resilience against climate-related shocks.
However, the project’s impact will depend on securing sufficient funding, completing construction and establishing effective systems for managing and distributing water.
If successfully implemented, the dam could contribute to agricultural development in Middle Shabelle and provide lessons for future water infrastructure projects elsewhere in Somalia.
HornPost Staff Reporter
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Website: www.hornpost.com
