Q&A: Unpacking Somaliland’s business potential BY Kate Douglas | August 1, 2013 at 17:06 Len Tiahlo is a co-founder, co-director and secretary of the Somaliland Development Corporation (SDC), a UK-based organisation dedicated to facilitating international investment into Somaliland. Leoned (Len) Thialo Len Thialo Somaliland is a self-declared independent state in the Horn of Africa that is recognised internationally as an autonomous region of Somalia. Tiahlo told How we made it in Africa about the potential Somaliland holds for investment and shared his advice to foreign investors. Below are edited excerpts. What are some of the common misconceptions among investors when it comes to Somaliland? There are many perceptions that are very real, such as lack of insurance… There is also a lack of international respected banking facilities and an issue with the unenforceability of contracts within Somaliland law [which] is not internationally recognised. The misconception, however, is that there is difficulty in developing business with locals. In fact, the Somalis are excellent traders and with such a small population within Somaliland, there is great potential for business if only infrastructure and electrical availability could be raised to the standard which has been so recently been achieved in Ethiopia. What are some of the SDC’s key areas of interest in Somaliland? Some agendas are under development and must remain confidential until parties wish to share activity in the public domain. Nevertheless, a good example of the SDC’s activities to date, and which has been raised publicly, is our focus on bridging the economic interests of Ethiopia with Somaliland via trade access to the Red Sea port of Berbera (the opening up of the Berbera Corridor). The SDC is also developing interests in the eastern Somali region of Ethiopia through its administrative capital of Jigjiga, a city less than a 45 minute drive from the capital city of Somaliland, Hargeisa. Both the Somalis in Ethiopia and Somaliland share a primary economic interest in trading livestock – goats, sheep, cattle and camels – mostly shipped to the Arabian market or traded as live animals to be locally slaughtered. A by-product of the trade is the production of hides and skins. The SDC is working to build up new business in this sector, initially through the exporting of hides and skins from Somaliland to Ethiopia, with a British leather goods company being a potential buyer. Building a trading link between Somaliland and Ethiopia is potentially [the] most attractive agenda. Ethiopia has a population of about 90 million, with a GDP [growth] of 10%+. Major infrastructure developments (including the availability of hydroelectric generated power) are underpinning local economic growth that is placing the region towards the top of the economic power houses of Africa. Electrical power availability also presages major changes in consumer lifestyles. Whereas household refrigeration was rare 10 years ago, many families now are moving into the marketplace to acquire a household fridge. This means change in the way food is bought and stored, in particular meat products. Instead of slaughtering a goat, households will move towards buying, say, a leg of goat from a supermarket or butchers shop. The consumption of a protein-based diet will likely increase and therefore the demand for meat products from eastern Ethiopia and Somaliland will attract increasing local demand. This example of rapid change in the economic landscape is where the SDC is positioning itself. Describe the potential in some of these business and economic trends? Where is growth coming from? Somaliland’s economy has been based on rearing livestock. Its market has been mostly limited to export to the Arabian market with major demand fluctuations, dependent upon local customs and religious observances (Ramadan, Eid, etc). The potential to trade livestock slaughtered for chilled or frozen sale opens up major new markets in Ethiopia and beyond, to Malaysia and Asian markets. This potential is best realised initially as with the SDC approach of operating via Jigjiga, where electrical power is in cents per kWh versus Somaliland cost of power presently in the range of US$1.3 to $1.5 per kWh. Somaliland does of course have potential oil and gas resources, though these have yet to be proven. This investment sector has in the past attracted the less established oil companies and, as elsewhere, the reality of oil and gas exploration is that it is a long term highly capital intensive investment, with high risk that typically is the reserve of major corporations, which in turn have the technical capacity to do the work as well as the asset spread to diversify risk. In this regard, the SDC is on record as having the agenda to open up dialogue with the major oil companies that have held concessions in the region and to develop good relationships with the local communities where future oil and gas exploration and hopefully development activity is likely to take place. Presently economic growth is coming from local and diaspora Somali investment. The investment into the extension of the optical fibre system from Djibouti through to Somaliland is a good example. You may be surprised to know that just 10 minutes from Djibouti lie offshore islands that offer unique boutique resorts potential, so eventually there is the potential for the establishment of high end tourism. What sectors in the region have typically seen good investor returns? The informal money transfer business has been most profitable. Diaspora transfers have been a source of major earnings. Local mobile phone companies have also been seeing major returns. Drawing from your knowledge, what advice do you have for foreign investors looking at the region as an investment destination? It is important to work with local communities and ensure all business and inward investment is in the best interests of local hosts to ensure longevity of such projects.

Genel a buy ahead of production boost with drilling excepted to start in Somaliland (Medeshi) - By Garry White - Telegraph - Genel Energy reported progress on a number of fronts yesterday, with a “substantial” rise in oil output expected next year. Genel, run by former BP chief executive Tony Hayward, is the largest oil producer in the Kurdish semi-autonomous region of Iraq. It also has exploration acreage in Morocco, Malta and Somaliland, with drilling expected to start in the final quarter of this year. The interim figures were in line with City expectations. Revenues in the six months to June rose 30pc to $160.6m (£106m) and pre-tax profit soared to $109.1m from $22.3m. However, the profit figure was flattered by a $54.5m one-off accounting credit after changes in the way depreciation was measured. When this is stripped out, profits rose 148pc. The group still has a net cash position of $867m and Julian Metherell, finance director, raised the possibility of a dividend next year. The Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) has been in dispute with Iraq over revenue sharing on oil produced in the region. Genel has been trucking oil out to Turkey because the Iraqi central government has banned exports through a Baghdad-owned pipeline. However, a pipeline built by the KRG is now just 15km from the Turkish border. Genel is likely to be granted export capacity though the pipeline by the KRG and this will allow for the efficient export of oil. Oil production is expected to rise to between 45,000 barrels and 55,000 barrels of oil equivalent a day for the full year from 44,500 barrels in 2012. The company says this will generate revenue of between $300m and $400m. Genel has had substantial exploration success this year and has added about 500m barrels of contingent resources. There is also a potential gas deal between Turkey and the KRG which would boost Genel following significant gas discoveries in the first half. Yesterday Genel raised its estimates for its gas reserves at the 100pc-owned Miran and 44pc-owned Bina Bawi fields to between 8 trillion and 14 trillion cubic feet. Talks are in progress about an export deal that would see the KRG supplying up to 25pc of Turkey’s gas requirements. The exploration programme in Africa starts in the fourth quarter in Morocco, with drilling in Malta expected in the first quarter of 2014. Most of the world’s easy oil has been discovered and oil companies are looking to under-explored areas for new reserves. Next year, Genel will drill its first well in Somaliland, the breakaway East African territory that declared independence from Somalia more than 20 years ago after a bloody civil war. There is talk that the geology in the country is similar to that of Yemen, where oil money generates 75pc of government revenues. For obvious reasons, Somaliland is under-explored with little activity since the oil majors left in the 1980s. This means there is a good chance of finding oil. However, the fun will really start following any discovery. Somalia is likely to want a slice of the revenues so thrashing out an agreement may be challenging. Political difficulties appear to be getting resolved and a gas agreement between Turkey and the KRG will be very positive for Genel following recent gas finds. Diversification away from the KRG is welcome and the company’s balance sheet remains robust. The shares are trading on a 2013 earnings multiple of 31.5 but this falls to 15.2 in 2014 and then just 9.8. Questor keeps a buy.

i never spread their propaganda i just post the news u can comment on it but be a bit less emotional next time i dont support shabaab guys. Homunculus they already bombed hargeisa in 2008 remember. But still alshabaab cannot be defeated by Foreign forces it shows. It needs another solution.

Thats a good point he should've compramised with the government that was the best way forward. But he is to proud, and does not want to give in.

He is talking because he signed the deal in ankara and instanbul but from now on the new FM will take over

Carafaat godane dawladaha shisheeye eeh gacanta walaqaya bu ka so horjeeda..

Foreigners destabilising us, claims Al-Shabaab leader Africa Review Wednesday, July 31, 2013 The supreme leader of the Somalia's Al-Shabaab has accused foreign countries of destabilising the terror group as he sought to rally its leaders and fighters following reports of internal rifts. Through a voice message on Tuesday, Ahmed Abdi Godane, who is better known as Sheikh Mukhtar Abdurahman Abu Zubayr accused countries like Qatar and Turkey of using divisive tactics to scatter the radical Islamist group. "There are forces trying to divide the movement’s leadership and its fighters," said Godane. "Our enemy is employing negotiations and promises of positions (in the Somali government)," he said, adding that this included luring Al-Shabaab members through promises of pardons and the removal from terrorist lists. "Countries like Qatar and Turkey as well former members of the defunct Union of the Islamic Courts (a movement that ruled most of Somalia’s southern and central regions in 2006) are key players in these divisive deeds." He warned the group's leaders and fighters against giving the movement’s secrets away. In June, Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys, one of the group's top hardliners, defected from Al-Shabaab and remains in the custody of Somali government forces. Infighting within Al-Shabaab, which is on the backfoot following a series of gains by AU and Somali troops, has led to the killing of top group officials. Elsewhere the Somali government has signed a deal with a Dutch group to set up an effective Coast Guard. The country has struggled to patrol its long shoreline and the Atlantic Marine and Offshore Group will help establish a unit capable of establishing the rule of law within Somali waters and its Exclusive Economic Zone. The deal with Atlantic was signed Tuesday in Mogadishu by the country's Defence Minister, according to a statement the Somali presidency.

Somaliland honers always the agreement no dishonesty the countries will share intel in the fight against terrorism and cooperate on security matters.

Somaliland oo Shaacisay in markii ugu Horreysay ay Dowladda Somalia kala shaqeyn doonto Sugidda Ammaanka guud Khamiis, August 01, 2013 (HOL) — Maamulka Somaliland ayaa sheegay inay markii ugu horeysay ay kawada shaqeynayaan dowladda Soomaaliya sugida amniga labada dhinac iyo is-dhaafsiga xogaha sirta ah. Wasiirka ganacsiga iyo maalgashiga Somaliland, Maxamed C/llaahi Cumar oo ahaa mas’uulkii hoggaaminayay wafdiyadii Somaliland ee wadahadallada la galay dowladda Soomaaliya ayaa hadalkan ku sheegay wareysi uu siiyay qaar ka mid ah warbaahinta Muqdisho. Cumar ayaa sheegay in qorshahan uu yahay mid ay labada ammaankooda ku xoojinayaan ayna kula dagaalamayaan kooxaha argagaxisada ah iyo cid walba oo doonaysa inay carqalad geliso ammaanka Somaliland iyo Somalia. “Dowladda Somalia iyo Somaliland waxay markii ugu horreysay oo kawada shaqeynayaan sugidda amniga labada dhinac iyo isdhaafsiga xogaha sirta ah, si looga hortago weerarro ay argagaxisadu geysato,” ayuu yiri Cumar oo intaas ku daray in maamulka uu ka tirsan yahay uu diyaar u yahay inuu si hufan ula shaqeeyo dowladda Soomaaliya. Sidoo kale, wasiirku wuxuu sheegay in qodobkan uu ka mid ahaa qodobbo lagu gaaray heshiiskii ugu horreeyay ee Soomaaliya iyo Somaliland ay ku heesyeen dalka Turkiga, kaasoo ay isku arkeen labada madaxweyne ee Somalia iyo Somaliland. “Mandiqadda Bariga Afrika waxaa ka jira dhibaatooyin fara badan oo amniga la xiriira, intooda badanna waxay saameynta ugu xooggan ku yeelanayaan Soomaaliya, taas ayaana keentay in labada dhinac ay kawada shaqeeyaan sidii ammaanka loo adkeyn lahaa,” ayuu wasiirku hadalkiisa ku daray. Dowladda Soomaaliya ayaan weli ka hadlin qorshahan cusub ee ay amniga uga wada shaqeynayaan iyaga iyo maamulka Somaliland, waxaana tani ay kusoo beegmaysaa xilli ammaanka Muqdisho uu kasii darayo.

^They are of 2 different sub clans actually of various subclans, for example the buhoodle subclan also lives in the sool region. But they are from a different sub region of Somaliland., you wouldn't understand since you are not a Somalilander. I will give you another example in ceerigaabo there is one sub sub clan but this sub sub clan lives also in hargeisa. They are of different sub regions of Somaliland but of the same sub clan.

^^ Yes there is a difference between reer buhoodle and reer lasascanood they are called reer hawd and reer Nugaleed, Reer Nugaleed tend to have cooler heads and more open minded , reer Hawd are fierce and stubborn , reer hawd are more traditional. But they are of the same ancestry and share a common origin and heritage and culture and nationality with the rest of their people in Somaliland.

Because its written in English

Alpha Blondy;971366 wrote: XX, abti, we've given them the flag and they've ruined it. we've given them literature and music, and they still do the niiko. there's a moral corruption of sorts about koonfurians. let them have the 'somali' identity as well. its ruined thanks to them. waar daadkan waa dameeroow ee naga daa, abti. They can have the flag the capital from raskambooni to raa caseer they can even have the national anthem Somalilanders composed for them. But will not give them the Somali identity because it doesn't exclusively belong to them. Somaliland gave them all the rest but we keep the Somali plus the land.

No not all Somalis share common ancestry, nor do they share common history Somalis in Somali galbeed , dont have a common history or ancestry with the Somalis Mogadishu nor do they have the same traditions or cultural connection. The average Xamaraawi doesn't know the history of the Somalis in Galbeed and their plight and their nomadic warfare and their habits. They do not share the same ethnic traditions history and certainly they dont have the same destiny. The average Somali from Kenya's north eastern province has nothing with Djibouti other than sharing the Somali language not the same history culture accent no intermarriage nothing zero. Somali speaking people in the horn of Africa have the same religion and some cultural values, but thats where it really ends. If you dont believe just look at the Somali peninsula from Gaarisa to jigjiga from jigjiga to laas qoray from laasqoray to Djibouti.

Another fabrication and distortion of facts the french called their colony La Côte française des Somalis and later they called it Territoire français des Afars et des Issas. The Italians on the other hand called their trusteeship amministrazione fiduciaria italiana della Somalia. Non of them called their colonies Somaliland. Garmaqaate your argument holds no water. You have to try harder. Soon you will tell us the italians conquered Somaliland in the second world war thus Koonfurians and their italian allies have every right to claim Somalilland:D

The fact is what tide the 2 together was the union of 1960 and there was no union between the 2 countries not before colonialists came the reason why the union failed real bad was the so called Somalinimo was an emotional one.You should ask your self why the union only lasted for 30 years only 3 decades and 2 decades of the union was under a dictatorship, who kept the union together by force. Classified you are from Somalia you dont know anything about Somaliland or its people.. Wuxu maqlay uun reer Somaliland af Somali bu ku hadlaan markaas Somaliyey wax isku yihin bal waalida inta leeg eega. Yes the Garaad clan has nothing to do with the garowe clan , they dont even look a like, unless you believe in clan confederations created 4 centuries ago. There is a difference between clan confederation and actual ancestry.

Classified;971519 wrote: Iminka adiguna ma waxa leedahay qaabilada Somaliyeed ee waqooyiga deega, sida DH (SSC), I (Hargeisa), G (Awdal), W (Makhir) iyo C (Zeylac), were once together under one government with parliament, military force, and administration BEFORE the arrival of the British Colonials? They had their separate sultanates but they were all related lived in the same land for centuries. Actually emir sharmarke ruled much of awdal for 80 years he and his son before the colonialists arrived, and the zeila and other awdalites were under his jurisdiction, the fact these people of Somaliland were never ever part of Somalia.or part of a country called Somalia before 1960. Ethiopian nationalists have a better claim to Eritrea than Koonfurians have to Somaliland. Before colonialist came more than 70% of what is today Eritrea was under Ethiopian rule. Somaliland on the other hand was never part of Somalia, only for the short lived experiment and soon Somaliland independence will reach 30 years and it will out live the failed union, god willing. Even the Garaad clan had nothing to do with the rest of Somalia they were living close to Burco area and raided together their own kin while being allied to different other Somaliland subclans. There was no clanism back than , for example the Sanaag garaad clans and the SNM clans of Sanaag used to raid the Buhoodle clans. The only argument koonfurians have against Somaliland we should come under one country because we love it and because we speak the same language but nation hood and statehood cannot be based on a mere language. If that was the case the Koonfurians would want the Djiboutians to be part of their country. This is not the case if that was the case the Arab speaking nations would be one country , this also not the case nationhood, and so called ethno nationalism is not the same. The People of Somaliland share a distinct history tradition culture ancestry and blood line political culture, which goes back for centuries and centuries.

You are missing point the reason the MP asked if Britain and Somaliland already established diplomatic relations was that Somaliland gained independence as an independent state , only a sovreing state forges relations with other nations, reason why he is asking But we know that when Somalia and Somaliland united under the Somali republic they started opening up embassies in the world. Why need an act of union why even hold a referendum for the union if it was a mere territory if it was not a state of it own. So are you saying Somalia expanded into Somaliland and there was never a union , Somalia a state , the people of Somaliland never knew before first of July. Certainly before 1896 Somalia was never heard of . Your argument is very contradicting and it doesn't go in par with the reality. Another fabrication Somaliland was never Somalia , Somaliland was never called Somalia the 2 states united under the name of the Somali republic. As it says in the union law. Unless you believe that was falsely created by Somaliland nationalists.

Why are British Parliament debating Somaliland and calling it a state this is very strange on top of that why are they asking if Somaliland exchanged diplomatic representatives with Britain. The Brits were there signed a treaty with the Somaliland communities, these are colonial treaties the entity of Somaliland was well defined under colonial rule, The Anglo italian border the Anglo French border and so on. Your argument makes no sense at all. What Garmaqaate fails to understand after 1905 The British protectorate as an entity came directly under the colonial office If we have to follow Garmaqate logic and say the treaties were never legal. does that mean we were never colonized or protected. The Fact is Somaliland gained independence just like any other nation the Brits left it had its own judiciary system defined borders distinct history its own prime minister Parliament. And they made a union with a state called Somalia with their own leaders. Anigu ninkan ila hada maan fahmin ada ma wuxu ina leeyahay cidi ba idin ma isticmaarsan waxad ahaydeen dad xor ah, oo hadaan isticmaar jirin muxu ingriisku berbera ka qabanayey iyo hargeisa iyo xeeabaha oo dhan.

UK parliament 1960 Mr Reginald Sorensen (Leyton) asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if the independent State of Somaliland has now exchanged diplomatic representatives with this country; and how many Somalis in this country have now been classified as aliens. Mr Reginald Sorensen (Leyton) asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if the independent State of Somaliland has now exchanged diplomatic representatives with this country; and how many Somalis in this country have now been classified as aliens. Commander Robert Allan (Paddington South) The union between Somaliland and Somalia to form the Somali Republic was acclaimed on 1st July and Mr. T. E. Bromley presented his credentials as first British Ambassador to the Republic on that date. The Somali Republic have not yet appointed a diplomatic representative in London. http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=1960-07-25a.1068.8

Zimbabweans face third Mugabe-Tsvangirai showdown Economy key in Zimbabwe polls 11:50am EDT Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe addresses a media conference at State house in Harare, on the eve of the country's general elections, July 30, 2013. REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo By Ed Cropley HARARE | Tue Jul 30, 2013 8:03pm EDT (Reuters) - Zimbabweans go to the polls on Wednesday in a fiercely contested election pitting President Robert Mugabe against Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, who has vowed to push Africa's oldest leader into retirement after 33 years in power. With no reliable opinion polls, it is hard to say whether the 61-year-old Tsvangirai will succeed in his third attempt to unseat the 89-year-old Mugabe, who has run the southern African nation since independence from Britain in 1980. Both sides are forecasting landslide wins but, in a country with a history of election violence, the bigger question is whether the loser will accept the result of a poll dogged by logistical problems and allegations of vote-rigging. Asked on the eve of the vote if he and his ZANU-PF party would accept defeat, Mugabe was unequivocal: "If you go into a process and join a competition where there are only two outcomes, win or lose, you can't be both. You either win or lose. If you lose, you must surrender." A spokesman for Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) said the party was prepared only to accept the results if the poll was "free and fair." Mugabe's words were in marked contrast to the thrust of what he described as an "energy-sapping" campaign, and may tamp down fears of a repeat of the violence that broke out after he lost the first round of an election in 2008. Around 200 Tsvangirai supporters were killed in the unrest before South Africa brokered a power-sharing deal that stopped the bloodshed and stabilized the economy, but established a government characterized as fractious and dysfunctional. Western election observers have been barred from the elections, leaving the task of independent oversight to 500 regional and 7,000 domestic monitors. Polls open at 1 a.m. ET and close at 1 p.m. ET, with the results expected well within the five-day legal limit. Around 6.4 million people, or half the population, are registered to vote. The verdict of observers is crucial to the future of Zimbabwe's economy, which is still struggling with the aftermath of a decade-long slump and hyperinflation that ended in 2009 when the worthless Zimbabwe dollar was scrapped. If it gets broad approval, there is a chance that Western sanctions may be eased, allowing Harare to normalize relations with the IMF and World Bank and access the huge amounts of investment needed to rebuild its dilapidated economy. Despite this, Tsvangirai urged African monitors not to give the vote the thumbs-up merely because they do not witness bloodshed. "Mugabe is the world's oldest leader and one of its longest-ruling dictators. He is fixing this election in a more sophisticated fashion than previous ZANU-PF campaigns of beatings, killings and intimidation," he wrote in an editorial in the Washington Post. "Mugabe's election-stealing antics have been documented throughout Zimbabwe and beyond. Yet the international community seems apathetic; perhaps Mugabe has been stealing elections for so long the world just rolls its eyes and moves on." (Reporting by Ed Cropley; Editing by Stacey Joyce)

A living legend

Waligay anigu professorka ma cayin xita berigu u ololeyn jiray Koonfurianska waabaan u duceyn jiray, remember anigu dadka reer somaliland eh somalia taga waxba kama sheego whether its Buuba Fawziya Xaaji Godane and others. Taleexi beryahan wabaad soo dhawanaysa hada baad aad tolnimadeeni qireysey, waisu so dhawanay.. Inaynan kala marmayn waligay baan wa oga inshallah mar baynu taleex ku wada afuri doona.

Taleexi Professorka maxaad ku nacday nimanki Muqdisho bu ka so quustay in anaay marnaba Somaliweyn u dacaad ahayn bu ogaada marka maxa u diidaya inu dadkisa u tago, adiguba taleexi maalin uun baad saaxiga keeni.