Somaliland Launches First-Ever Minerals Expo, Signaling Openness to Global Investment.
HARGEISA — President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Irro) on Tuesday officially inaugurated the Somaliland Minerals Expo 2025, the first event of its kind in the country, marking a significant step in Somaliland’s effort to position itself as a credible destination for international resource investment.
The two-day expo, held at the Maansoor Hotel, was organized by the Ministry of Energy and Minerals in partnership with private companies and stakeholders in the mining and natural resources sector. It brought together government officials, international experts, investors, and industry representatives, both in person and via virtual participation.
The primary objective of the Minerals Expo is to introduce Somaliland’s mineral potential—ranging from industrial minerals to strategic resources—to global investors in a professional, transparent, and data-driven setting.
In his keynote address, President Irro thanked the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, participating companies, and international partners for organizing what he described as a milestone event for the country’s economic future.
He emphasized that Somaliland offers a stable, predictable, and legally grounded investment environment, underscoring that the country has established the necessary laws, policies, and administrative frameworks to support foreign investment across sectors, including mining.
“Somaliland is a country that can be trusted at every level—investment, cooperation, partnership, and international transactions,” the president said. “We are fully prepared to facilitate investors through clear legal systems and transparent procedures.”
President Irro highlighted that the Unity and Action Government’s economic agenda prioritizes the responsible and transparent development of natural resources, with a strong focus on environmental protection and long-term social and economic stability.
“The goal is to ensure that Somaliland’s natural wealth becomes a source of sustainable development and mutual benefit, not conflict or exploitation,” he said.
The expo also featured presentations from international mining experts, including remote contributions via video link, offering technical insights into Somaliland’s geological potential and global best practices in mineral development.
President Irro reiterated that Somaliland’s political stability, democratic governance, internal and border security, and independent judicial system meet international standards—factors he said should give investors confidence in the country’s long-term reliability.
The launch of the Somaliland Minerals Expo signals a strategic shift from exploration to structured engagement with global markets, as Hargeisa seeks to convert its untapped resource wealth into a pillar of national development.
By hosting the fair, the Somaliland government aimed to send a clear message: the country is open for responsible investment and ready to manage its natural resources in a fair, transparent, and mutually beneficial manner.
