Israel to Build First Desalination Plant in Somaliland’s Port City of Berbera
Somaliland says Israel will support the construction of Berbera’s first seawater desalination plant, a major water project aimed at tackling shortages and strengthening cooperation between the two sides.
HARGEISA (Somali Report) — Somaliland has announced that Israel will support the construction of the territory’s first seawater desalination project in the strategic port city of Berbera, marking a major step in the growing relationship between the two sides following Israel’s recognition of Somaliland.
Somaliland’s Minister of Water Development, Mohamed Abdimalik Ahmed, said the project would convert seawater into safe drinking water to help address chronic water shortages affecting Berbera.
The minister, who accompanied President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro during his recent visit to Israel, said preparations for the project were already underway.
“Berbera’s seawater will be desalinated, and the project will arrive very soon,” the minister said during a public address in Berbera. “This will be the first water-sector project that Israel delivers to Somaliland.”
The announcement comes as Berbera continues to struggle with shortages of clean water and electricity, problems that have intensified alongside the city’s rapid population growth and expanding economic activity.
Officials say the desalination plant is intended to provide a long-term solution by producing potable water from the Gulf of Aden, reducing dependence on limited groundwater supplies that have come under increasing pressure from recurrent drought.
The project forms part of broader civilian cooperation between Somaliland and Israel after Israel became the first United Nations member state to formally recognize Somaliland’s independence in December.
Rather than focusing only on security cooperation, both governments have emphasized partnerships in water management, agriculture, healthcare, education and technology.
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Somaliland has already sent two groups of water-sector professionals to Israel for specialised training in modern water management techniques. Israeli experts are also expected to travel to Somaliland to assist with installation of desalination technology and technical capacity building.
Israel is regarded as a global leader in water management despite its arid climate. More than 80 percent of the country’s drinking water comes from large-scale desalination plants, while nearly 90 percent of wastewater is recycled for agricultural use.
Somaliland hopes to adapt some of that expertise to strengthen its own water security.
Climate change has made access to water increasingly difficult across Somaliland. Rainfall has become less predictable, with repeated droughts affecting both rural communities and urban centres over recent years.
According to Somaliland’s Ministry of Agriculture, only a small proportion of the territory’s land is currently cultivated, and officials believe improved water availability could significantly expand agricultural production.
Berbera’s strategic importance has also grown in recent years because of its modern port, international airport and location along one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes through the Red Sea.
The city has attracted increasing international attention following Israel’s recognition, with cooperation agreements expected to expand across several sectors.
The planned desalination facility is expected to become one of the first tangible infrastructure projects resulting from the new relationship, providing a practical demonstration of the partnership while addressing one of Somaliland’s most pressing development challenges.
About the Author
Khadar Abdi is the Somaliland Correspondent for Somali Report. He covers politics, security, governance, business, trade, economic developments, and regional affairs across Somaliland.