EXCLUSIVE: Somaliland and Ethiopia Seal New Gas and Power Pact

The semi-autonomous region of Somaliland, in northern Somalia, has launched a new diplomatic push to strengthen its economic and energy cooperation with Ethiopia. President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Irro) paid a three-day official visit to Addis Ababa last week, where he met with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and other senior Ethiopian officials to discuss security, trade, and energy collaboration.

This marked Irro’s first visit to Ethiopia since taking office in December 2024. One of the main topics discussed was the export of natural gas from Ethiopia’s newly inaugurated Ogaden LNG Project through Somaliland’s Berbera Port. According to Somaliland officials, both sides are nearing an agreement that would expand trade between the two nations.

Currently, Ethiopia relies almost entirely on Djibouti Port for its imports. The proposed deal could reduce Addis Ababa’s dependence on Djibouti and position Berbera as a new hub for regional energy trade.

In addition, Somaliland seeks to import electricity generated by Ethiopia’s Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and plans to sign a power transmission agreement with Addis Ababa.

Analysts say the visit signals a warming of ties between the two neighbors and underscores Somaliland’s growing role in regional energy and trade dynamics.