The Southwest State of Somalia has reaffirmed its commitment to the development of the strategic port of Barawe in partnership with a Kuwaiti company, as part of efforts to boost regional trade and economic resilience.
Speaking at a public debate organized by the IRAD Institute, Dr. Mohamed Ibrahim Nor, the State Minister for Rural Development and Resilience, declared that the Southwest regional administration is fully dedicated to implementing the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Kuwaiti firm.
“This project is a vital step toward unlocking the economic potential of Barawe and the wider region,” said Dr. Nor. “We are taking all the necessary steps to ensure that the MoU leads to real progress on the ground.”
The port of Barawe, located along Somalia’s southern coast, has long been recognized as a key asset for maritime trade and fishing. Reviving and modernizing the port infrastructure is expected to create jobs, improve trade routes, and attract further investment to Southwest State.
Dr. Nor emphasized that the initiative aligns with the broader goals of strengthening rural development and enhancing the region’s resilience to economic and environmental shocks.
No specific timeline was disclosed during the event, but regional officials have hinted that initial groundwork and feasibility assessments will begin in the coming months.