In brief
- On 9 July 2025, Somaliland Standard reported that the Wajaale Project, which it said is led by the Pharo Foundation in partnership with the Somaliland Government, targets the Wajaale Bank area.
- Gabiley Region Governor Mohamed Abdilahi Bookh described a dam to store rainwater, a second agricultural phase, health, education and employment components to Somaliland Standard.
- The report gives no project value, budget, construction start or completion date, contractor or design document.
On 9 July 2025, Somaliland Standard reported that the Wajaale Project, which it said is led by the Pharo Foundation in partnership with the Somaliland Government, targets the Wajaale Bank area. The report describes what the project is intended to include. It does not establish what, if anything, has been built, funded or contracted since.
Gabiley Region Governor Mohamed Abdilahi Bookh detailed the project's goals in a statement, according to Somaliland Standard. The report says the project's centrepiece is a major dam designed to store rainwater for residents and livestock.
The report also sets out other intended components. A second phase would focus on agricultural advancement, aiming to boost crop yields and create jobs for local farmers. Free fodder crops such as grass would be cultivated to support livestock. Healthcare would involve new and upgraded health facilities. Education and skills training would equip youth with knowledge and vocational skills. Employment opportunities would include direct and indirect jobs.
What the report attributes to the Governor
According to Somaliland Standard, Governor Bookh said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to food security and sustainable development, and that every output from the project will directly benefit Somaliland and its people. He also said the government's doors are open to anyone seeking information about the Wajaale Project, the report says. The report records him warning against misinformation campaigns and vowing to counter efforts to undermine the project's progress.
The same report says the government will ensure land and security remain under its control, and that the project aims to reduce Somaliland's dependence on imported wheat and grains by prioritising local agricultural production.
Somaliland Standard reported the project is a collaboration between the Pharo Foundation, the Somaliland Government, Wajaale's local administration, national ministries and community leaders. It also said the Pharo Foundation has a track record of impactful projects across East Africa and is working closely with Somaliland. The report does not name those prior projects or give values or completion records.
What the report does not establish
Somaliland Standard's report does not state a project value, contract value or funder contribution. It gives no construction start or completion date for the dam or any other component. No contractor, consultant or implementing organisation is named, and no dam capacity or design document is cited.
No signed agreement, memorandum or contract between the partners is cited. No named national ministries, division of roles or land agreement instrument is identified. The agriculture and employment components carry no hectares, quantities, yields or job numbers, and the health and education components carry no site names, capacities or budgets.
Governor Bookh acknowledged recent discussions about the project's transparency and land management, the report says, and reaffirmed the government's dedication to openness. Somaliland Standard does not describe the nature, participants or specific grievances of those discussions, and quotes no critic. It records the acknowledgement, not a resolution.
Read the original report at Somaliland Standard.
Frequently asked questions
What are the components of the Wajaale Project?
According to Somaliland Standard, the Wajaale Project is centred on a major dam designed to store rainwater, with a second phase focused on agricultural advancement, free fodder crops, new and upgraded health facilities, education and skills training, and employment opportunities.
Who is funding the Wajaale Project and what is the budget?
Somaliland Standard reports the project is led by the Pharo Foundation in partnership with the Somaliland Government. The report states no project value, contract value or funder contribution, so no budget can be reported.
What benefits are expected for the local community?
The report sets out intended benefits: water security for residents and livestock, higher crop yields and jobs for local farmers, free fodder crops, better health facilities, youth training and direct and indirect employment. It gives no quantities or job numbers, and none of these are reported as achieved.