28/07/2025
Somalia & the BRI: A Missed Opportunity or the Next Gateway?
China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is reshaping global trade. Ports, highways, and rail are being built to connect Asia, Africa & Europe.
But while Mombasa was chosen as East Africa’s hub, Somalia home to the Gulf of Aden remains ignored. Why?
The Gulf of Aden is one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. It's a natural corridor for China–Africa trade, far more strategic than Mombasa.
Yet Somalia’s potential remains untapped due to instability, weak infrastructure, and poor leadership.
If Somalia were integrated into BRI, here’s what could change:
Modern ports in Kismayo, Mogadishu, Bosaso, and Berbera
National railway connecting coast to inland trade
Dry ports + logistics hubs near Ethiopia’s border.
Somali products entering global Chinese-backed supply chains
Somalia could become a regional exporter not just a receiver of aid.
🌾 Agricultural products
🐑 Livestock
🪨 Minerals
🛠️ Construction materials
🚢 Maritime services
With BRI infrastructure, exports could reach Asia, Gulf, and East Africa efficiently.
But why did China choose Mombasa, not Somalia?
Kenya offered stability & secured deals.
Somalia offered risks, corruption & weak state control.
Global perception is Somalia = fragile & unreliable
This is not just China's fault. It’s our failure to present a serious alternative.
To change this, Somalia must solve:
Port security & anti-piracy enforcement
One-stop investment law & protection
Transparent tax/customs system
Central gov’t control over infrastructure
(no fragmented ports)
These steps build trust with China & others.
If China sees that Somalia is serious, they will come.
They’ve already built roads in Kenya, rail in Ethiopia, ports in Djibouti.
Why not Somalia?
All it takes is vision, political will, and unified policy. Somalia’s BRI integration isn’t just about roads.
It’s about:
Reclaiming trade leadership in the Horn
Lowering import/export costs
Creating Somali-owned logistics companies
Connecting to East Africa & Middle East faster than Mombasa ever could
China and global investors want market access, not just charity.
Show them:
✔️ A unified Somali logistics plan
✔️ National Export Strategy
✔️ Maritime security roadmap
✔️ Public-private investment board
And Somalia could be the BRI’s most strategic African link.
Time to shift the conversation.
From: "Somalia is fragile"
To: "Somalia is a gateway"
With the Gulf of Aden, Indian Ocean, and Horn access, Somalia isn’t the end of the road it’s the beginning of a better trade map.
