Mogadishu, Somalia — Work has officially begun on the New Mogadishu International Airport, a transformative project aimed at reshaping Somalia’s aviation landscape and strengthening its role in regional trade and transportation.
The project, estimated to cost over $500 million, is being implemented through a public-private partnership between the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation and a consortium of Turkish and Gulf-based engineering firms with proven experience in large-scale airport development. Construction will be executed in phases to ensure uninterrupted operations at the existing Aden Adde International Airport.
The future airport will feature expanded passenger terminals, a cargo village, an extended runway capable of handling wide-body aircraft, and advanced air traffic control and security systems. Authorities say the goal is to elevate Mogadishu into a regional aviation hub, capable of competing with major airports in Nairobi, Addis Ababa and Djibouti.
Beyond aviation, the project is set to stimulate broader economic activity. More than 5,000 jobs are expected to be created during construction, with long-term employment opportunities emerging in logistics, hospitality and commercial services. Plans are already underway for duty-free zones, hotels and logistics parks around the airport perimeter to attract investors.
Analysts believe the new airport will accelerate Somalia’s reintegration into global supply chains, reducing transport costs for imports and exports while improving access for humanitarian operations and international carriers.
Completion timelines have not been formally announced, but government officials have signaled a three to five-year delivery window depending on funding flow and security conditions.
For many Somalis, the project represents more than infrastructure — it signals renewed national confidence and a gateway to economic revival.