Berbera, Somaliland – Senior officials from the World Food Programme (WFP) and Somaliland’s administration have officially launched the Berbera Logistics Hub, a state-of-the-art facility aimed at boosting humanitarian response and trade flows across Eastern Africa.
The new hub, located at the strategic Port of Berbera on the Gulf of Aden, is set to serve as a key entry and distribution point for humanitarian aid and commercial goods destined for landlocked and conflict-affected countries across the Horn of Africa.
WFP’s Regional Director for Eastern Africa, Michael Dunford, who attended the inauguration, hailed the hub as “a game-changing infrastructure that will enhance our ability to deliver life-saving assistance swiftly and efficiently to millions in need.”
Somaliland’s Minister of Transport and Roads Development, Abdillahi Abokor, emphasized the importance of the facility in boosting regional economic integration.
“Berbera’s geographic position makes it ideal for supporting both emergency aid and long-term trade development. This investment reinforces our commitment to becoming a regional logistics powerhouse,” the minister stated.
The logistics hub includes advanced storage warehouses, container yards, temperature-controlled units for perishables, and customs support infrastructure. It is expected to streamline aid delivery to countries like Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Somalia, especially during climate and conflict-driven emergencies.
The project is part of WFP’s broader strategy to establish reliable supply chains in fragile contexts. Its proximity to Berbera Port, which has undergone recent modernization under a joint venture with DP World, adds further leverage to the hub’s potential.
Officials from both WFP and Somaliland confirmed that the facility will also serve commercial needs, enabling the private sector and local traders to benefit from its capacity, efficiency, and connectivity.
The launch underscores growing international recognition of Berbera’s role as a strategic corridor, particularly as alternative routes gain importance amid regional instability and growing humanitarian needs.
WFP continues to operate across Somalia, including in Somaliland, where it supports food security, nutrition, resilience, and emergency operations for the most vulnerable.