Berbera (Horn post) Somaliland’s Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Abdillahi Hassan Aden, accompanied by the Director General of the ministry, Mohamed Hassan Saleebaan, has conducted an official inspection of the Port of Berbera and its customs facilities as part of a working visit to the Sahil region.
The visit aimed at assessing the efficiency of customs operations and port services at the strategic Port of Berbera, a key trade gateway for Somaliland and the wider Horn of Africa.
During the inspection, the delegation received detailed briefings from port authorities, representatives of DP World, and customs officials. Discussions focused on improving operational systems, accelerating service delivery, and enhancing the overall effectiveness of customs processes.
Berbera Customs Manager Ahmed Abdirahman Xariir welcomed the delegation and provided an overview of customs performance, while also participating in meetings and site assessments.
The minister and his team also held separate consultations with import traders and the Somaliland Freight Forwarders Association (SOFFA), where they discussed operational challenges and bottlenecks affecting trade. Both sides emphasized the need for practical, joint solutions to streamline business processes and facilitate faster service delivery.
Speaking during the visit, the minister highlighted the broader regional context, particularly tensions in the Red Sea corridor, noting that instability in the Middle East could negatively impact trade flows and port operations. He pointed out that such developments have already contributed to rising fuel prices and economic pressures within Somaliland.
He stressed the importance of heightened vigilance, improving port efficiency, and adopting coordinated measures to mitigate the impact of external shocks on the economy.
As part of the visit, the delegation also toured the Sahil regional administration headquarters, where they met with local officials, including the regional governor, to discuss strengthening inter-agency cooperation and improving public service delivery.
The inspection is part of ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development to monitor revenue collection systems, enhance institutional coordination, and strengthen collaboration with key stakeholders in the country’s trade and port sectors.
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