In brief
- Mustaqbal Media reported on 18 February 2025 that South West State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen signed an agreement granting Arab Digital Holding management of Baraawe Port for 25 years.
- The report says the deal is valued at $500 million, but does not specify whether that is a contract value, investment pledge, or total project cost.
- Implementation would begin within four years pending formal approval from the South West administration, according to Arab Digital Holding's vice chairman, and neither the state nor federal government had commented at publication.
On 18 February 2025, Mustaqbal Media reported that an agreement had been signed between South West State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen and the head of Arab Digital Holding, a company the outlet describes as Kuwait-based. The report says the deal grants the company management of Baraawe Port for 25 years and is valued at $500 million, though it does not specify whether that figure represents a contract value, an investment pledge, or a total project cost.
According to Mustaqbal Media, Arab Digital Holding will collaborate with MYD, an Egyptian firm, on port development, with a focus on upgrading maritime facilities and commercial zones. The report quotes Fahad Nawaaf Al Doosari, identified as the vice chairman of Arab Digital Holding, as saying the agreement allows the company to undertake multiple projects, including resource exploration and port construction. Al Doosari said the implementation phase would begin within four years, pending formal approval from the South West administration.
Al Doosari also claimed that financial backing for the project would come from Gulf-based companies and Arab banks for the first phase, though no funders were named. He dismissed claims that the deal includes restrictive clauses. The report adds that the project will cover an area of 200 square kilometers, with initial survey and assessment work set to begin in the coming months.
Mustaqbal Media reported that neither the South West State administration nor the Federal Government of Somalia had officially commented on the deal at the time of publication. The report does not name the signatory for Arab Digital Holding beyond “the head,” nor does it provide a signature date or any official document reference.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the Kuwaiti company in the Baraawe port deal?
Mustaqbal Media identified the company as Arab Digital Holding, described as Kuwait-based. Its vice chairman, Fahad Nawaaf Al Doosari, is quoted in the report, but the report does not include independent verification of the company's registration.
What is the value of the Baraawe port management deal?
Mustaqbal Media reported the deal is valued at $500 million, but did not specify whether that is a contract value, investment pledge, or total project cost.
Has implementation of the Baraawe port deal started?
According to the report, implementation was set to begin within four years pending formal approval from the South West administration. As of publication, no survey or assessment work had started, and neither the South West State nor the Federal Government had commented officially.