Berbera

Berbera is a port city in the Sahil region of Somaliland, a self-declared state in the Horn of Africa. It sits on the Gulf of Aden along the northern coast of Somaliland and has long served as a strategic trading hub due to its proximity to the Bab-el-Mandeb strait and major Red Sea shipping routes.

Historically, Berbera has been part of regional trade networks for centuries and developed as a key port during the era of British Somaliland in the 19th and 20th centuries. After Somaliland declared independence in 1991, Berbera continued to function as an important gateway for livestock, fishing, and general cargo, contributing to the local and regional economy.

In recent years, Berbera has attracted international investment aimed at expanding port capacity and creating a free trade zone. In 2017–2018, a concession agreement with DP World outlined plans to modernize Berbera Port and develop a corresponding free zone to improve trade connectivity for the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region. The port supports container, bulk, and general cargo handling and has been the focus of ongoing modernization efforts.

Berbera is served by an international airport and functions as a regional transport hub for northern Somaliland. The city hosts markets, mosques, and coastal neighborhoods that illustrate its role as a commercial and social center. The population is predominantly Somali, with Islam as the major religion; Somali is the primary language, with English and Arabic used in business and administration.