# Foundation stone laid for Gambadha dry port in Somaliland

> Somaliland Standard reported on 18 January 2020 that the ports manager laid the foundation stone of a planned dry port at Gambadha, 30 km from Lasanod.

- 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, utilities
- Web version: https://somaliconstructionreview.com/blog/gambadha-dry-port-foundation-stone

## Key points

- Somaliland Standard reported on 18 January 2020 that the Ports Manager laid the foundation stone of a planned dry port at Gambadha, Sool province.
- The planned dry port is 30 km from Lasanod and is intended to connect Berbera port to eastern Somaliland.
- There is no evidence in the report about construction progress, funding, or operational status since the foundation stone event.

On 18 January 2020, Somaliland Standard reported that the Somaliland Ports Manager laid the foundation stone of a planned dry port at Gambadha district in Sool province. The report does not establish what has happened since that event.

According to the report, the ports manager is Said Hassan Abdilahi. A delegation headed by Abdilahi received a cordial reception on the outskirts of Lasanod, Sool's provincial capital. Residents from Lasanod and intellectuals escorted the delegation to Gambadha, which is 30 km from Lasanod. The national army stationed in Gambadha also received the delegation.

Somaliland Standard reported that Sool's provincial governor, Abdikani Jiidh, donated the land where the dry port will be built. The report does not indicate whether the land transfer has been legally documented.

The ports manager said, as quoted in Somaliland Standard, that a survey was conducted to locate a suitable place to construct the dry port and that Gambadha was chosen. The report does not include the survey details.

The ports manager claimed the dry port will generate new revenues and create jobs for locals. He also said it will serve as a commercial hub where imported items via Berbera port are made available in Gambadha, so residents from the eastern region can find them without travelling to Berbera. Purchasers from neighbouring Somalia are expected to come to Gambadha, according to the ports manager, as quoted in Somaliland Standard.

Somaliland Standard reported that the dry port is intended to connect Berbera port to the eastern regions in Somaliland, especially Berbera to the rest of Somalia. The report states the dry port is next to the customs point where items purchased will be taxed on the spot. The construction of the dry port is expected to ease and enhance the country's exports, according to Somaliland Standard.

The report does not provide a funding source, budget, contractor, timeline, or any subsequent official statements. There is no evidence that construction has begun, that the dry port is operational, or that revenues or jobs have been generated.

## Questions

### What is the Gambadha dry port project?

A planned dry port at Gambadha district in Sool province, Somaliland, intended to connect Berbera port to eastern regions and serve as a commercial hub for imported goods.

### Who laid the foundation stone and on whose behalf?

The Somaliland Ports Manager, Said Hassan Abdilahi, laid the foundation stone, as reported by Somaliland Standard on 18 January 2020.

### When is construction expected to start and finish?

The report does not provide a timeline for construction or completion.

### What is the planned capacity and role of the dry port?

The ports manager claimed the dry port will generate new revenues, create jobs, and serve as a commercial hub where imported items via Berbera are made available in Gambadha, according to the report.

## Sources

- [Somaliland: Ports Manager Laid the foundation stone of dry port in Gambadha](https://somalilandstandard.com/somaliland-ports-manager-laid-the-foundation-stone-of-dry-port-in-gambadha/) — Somaliland Standard, 2020-01-18