# Berbera Corridor launch flagged for late February 2019

> Somaliland Standard reported on 19 February 2019 that Ambassador Ahmed Egal said the Berbera Corridor Project would launch at the end of February.

- By: Editorial Team, Somali Construction Review (https://somaliconstructionreview.com/about)
- Published: 30 September 2026
- Format: News story (reported from one named public source)
- Publication: Somali Construction Review (https://somaliconstructionreview.com)
- Subject: Infrastructure and Services
- Tags: ports, roads
- Web version: https://somaliconstructionreview.com/blog/berbera-corridor-launch-flag-february-2019

## Key points

- On 19 February 2019, Somaliland Standard reported that Ambassador Ahmed Egal said the Berbera Corridor Project would be launched at the end of February.
- The ambassador described ambitious plans for highways, railways, and Ethiopian port shareholding, but the report does not confirm any of these beyond his statements.
- There is no evidence in the report of what has actually happened since that announcement.

On 19 February 2019, Somaliland Standard reported that Ambassador Ahmed Egal, Somaliland’s Permanent Diplomatic Mission to Ethiopia, said the Berbera Corridor Project would be launched at the end of February. The ambassador made the remarks to The Ethiopian Herald, as cited by Somaliland Standard.

The ambassador said the project is intended to handle Ethiopia’s import-export shipment, envisioned to connect Ethiopia and Somaliland via highways and railways. He stated the driveway distance between Addis Ababa and Berbera Port is only 11 hours and that roads are in good condition.

He also said Ethiopia acquired 19 percent of shares in the Berbera Port, opening a new door of cooperation. Somaliland Standard estimated Somaliland imports from Ethiopia are worth over 800 million USD annually.

The ambassador claimed the existing geo-political trend requires port expansion and that Somaliland wants to connect with Ethiopia by all available means. He said trade includes Somaliland’s import of Ethiopia’s agricultural and industrial outputs.

He stated Prime Minister Abiy’s medemer policy has brought positive climate, and Ethiopia plays a role in infrastructural economic integration. He said the African Union sent a Fact-Finding Mission on Somaliland, whose report commended the republic but has yet to be tabled and discussed.

He said Ethiopia and Eritrea ended hostilities, and that Berbera Corridor development would not be successful without Ethiopia’s participation. He added the port is beneficial to Ethiopia for additional sea access.

The report does not establish whether the launch took place as announced. It provides no total project cost, funding sources, contractor names, route alignment, timeline, or confirmation of the 19 percent shareholding or $800 million trade figure from official records.

## Questions

### What specific market opportunities were mentioned for Ethiopia?

The ambassador mentioned handling Ethiopia’s import-export shipment, providing seamless services for Ethiopia’s cargo via highways and railways, and additional sea access through the Port of Berbera.

### What infrastructure will support the Ethiopian link?

According to the ambassador, the project envisions connecting Ethiopia and Somaliland via highways and railways. He said the driveway between Addis Ababa and Berbera Port is 11 hours and roads are in good condition.

### What agreements are in place with Ethiopia?

The ambassador claimed Ethiopia acquired 19 percent of shares in the Berbera Port. However, the report does not cite a shareholder agreement or official register to verify this.

## Sources

- [Somaliland to launch Berbera Project eyeing Ethiopia’s market](https://somalilandstandard.com/somaliland-to-launch-berbera-project-eyeing-ethiopias-market/) — Somaliland Standard, 2019-02-19