President Mohamud Lays Foundation for New Airport in Infrastructure Push
GOOBJOOG NEWS | WARSHEIKH: Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Sunday laid the foundation stone for a new international airport in the Haawaay area of Warsheikh, Middle Shabelle, launching a wide-ranging infrastructure initiative aimed at strengthening connectivity, economic growth, and national development.
The airport project, expected to meet international aviation standards, is part of a broader development blueprint that includes the construction of a modern seaport, regional road networks, healthcare facilities, and notably, the first Space Center in the Horn of Africa.
“This airport is a gateway to Somalia’s future. It is not only about travel, it is about transforming the economy, creating jobs, and advancing our national capabilities,” ,” President Mohamud said at the ceremony, attended by federal and regional government officials.
Announced in late 2024, the initiative is a flagship project of Mohamud’s administration, which has prioritized infrastructure as a catalyst for post-conflict recovery and state-building.
The government hopes the new airport will position Mogadishu as a regional transport hub, easing mobility and boosting trade across East Africa.
The presence of officials from both the Federal Government and Hirshabelle State underscored growing cooperation between different levels of government, a dynamic seen as essential for sustainable development in Somalia.
In addition to transport and trade infrastructure, the initiative places emphasis on essential social services. Planned hospitals and community facilities aim to improve living standards in Middle Shabelle and surrounding regions.
The Space Center, an ambitious component of the plan, will support future scientific research, satellite monitoring, and technological training, marking Somalia’s first step into the space and innovation arena.
The project is seen as a symbol of the government’s commitment to long-term national progress, and a key element in President Mohamud’s legacy of rebuilding Somali institutions and expanding economic potential.