Berbera: Somaliland has reached a major economic and diplomatic milestone with the groundbreaking of the Berbera Quarantine Zone, a $20 million livestock and industrial development project led by Taiwanese private investors through Central Sky International Trading Co. The project represents Taiwan’s first major private-sector investment in Somaliland and marks the first-ever trilateral private joint venture involving investors from Taiwan, Saudi Arabia, and the United States in Somaliland and across East Africa.

The official groundbreaking ceremony was held on Thursday, 25 December 2025, in the strategic coastal city of Berbera, adjacent to one of the Horn of Africa’s most important ports. The event was attended by senior government officials, diplomats, business leaders, and international partners, highlighting Somaliland’s growing profile as a stable and investable economy in a geopolitically sensitive region.

Government Endorsement and Strategic Vision

The foundation stone was laid by Somaliland’s Minister of Livestock and Rural Development, Omar Shuaib Mohamed, who underscored the project’s national significance. The land for the facility was formally allocated by the Berbera Local Government following an official request from the ministry.

Minister Omar described the quarantine zone as a high-value national asset, emphasizing that it will be the first modern livestock quarantine facility developed by Taiwanese investors in the Sahil region. He noted that the project would significantly strengthen Somaliland’s livestock export capacity by integrating advanced veterinary technology, bio-security systems, and international health compliance mechanisms.

“This facility will position Berbera as a regional hub for livestock traders and exporters,” the minister said, adding that it aligns with Somaliland’s long-term strategy to modernize its most vital export sector and expand access to global markets.

Taiwan–Saudi–US Joint Venture: A First for East Africa

Addressing the ceremony, Taiwan’s Representative to Somaliland, Hon. Allen C. Leo, highlighted the project’s historic importance, not only for Somaliland but for international investment cooperation in East Africa.

“The $20 million investment project marks not only Taiwan’s first major private investment in Somaliland, but also the first business joint venture undertaken by private investors from Taiwan, Saudi Arabia, and the United States in Somaliland and across East Africa,”

Hon. Leo stated.

He emphasized that the facility will go beyond a conventional quarantine plant, evolving into an industrial park that showcases Taiwanese advanced technology, modern management systems, and international best practices. According to Hon. Leo, the success of the project is expected to act as a catalyst for additional Taiwanese and international private investments in Somaliland.

Transforming Somaliland’s Livestock Economy

The Berbera Quarantine Zone will cover a substantial area near Berbera Port, a critical logistics gateway connecting the Horn of Africa to Gulf markets. Livestock particularly cattle, sheep, goats, and camels remains Somaliland’s largest export sector, supplying millions of animals annually to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states.

Once operational, the facility will enhance traceability, animal health certification, disease control, and bio-security, bringing Somaliland’s livestock exports into full alignment with international quarantine and veterinary standards. Officials project that this modernization will lead to higher export volumes, reduced trade disruptions, increased foreign exchange earnings, and significant job creation, particularly in rural communities dependent on pastoral livelihoods.

Building on Regulatory Progress and Investor Confidence

The groundbreaking follows a key regulatory achievement in November 2025, when Central Sky International secured Somaliland’s first national-level livestock quarantine license for an 88-hectare site a precedent-setting development for private-sector participation in the country’s livestock infrastructure.

The launch of active construction signals growing private-sector confidence in Somaliland’s political stability, regulatory environment, and economic potential, despite the territory’s lack of formal international recognition.

A Signal to Global Markets

Analysts view the Berbera Quarantine Zone as more than a livestock project it is increasingly seen as a symbol of Somaliland’s ability to attract diversified foreign investment, foster international partnerships, and integrate into regional and global trade networks.

As construction begins, the project stands as a powerful indicator of Somaliland’s ambition to transform its traditional economic sectors through technology, international collaboration, and private-sector-led growth positioning Berbera as a key node in East Africa Gulf trade corridors.