The President of Somaliland, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Cirro, has announced that the drilling for crude oil in Somaliland will begin within two years.
Speaking at the Somaliland Mining Fair in Hargeisa, the President said he is hopeful that the drilling will officially begin in 2027.
“I am pleased to inform the people of Somaliland that we have been wondering for a long time when Somaliland’s oil will be produced. Today I am telling you that finally, the drilling for oil in Somaliland will begin in 2027,” said President Cirro.
He added that if the work is accelerated, it is possible that drilling will begin earlier than that, and begin in 2026.
The President said that Somaliland is rich in minerals and oil, and most of their locations are known, which makes it easy to exploit them.
He encouraged international investors to come to Somaliland and invest in its natural resources, noting that the government has prepared all the infrastructure and conditions that would facilitate investment.
Oil exploration in Somaliland has been ongoing for the past decade, with foreign companies engaged in contracts with the government, and years ago it was announced that oil wells were found that were ready and needed formal drilling.
