Berbera port operator DP World delivers on 2022 promise, deepening local investment beyond trade and logistics
BERBERA, Somaliland — Global port operator DP World has inaugurated a new science laboratory at the Sheikh University of Science and Technology, completing a pledge made in 2022 to support higher education in the Republic of Somaliland.
The modern facility — equipped for research and practical instruction in petroleum engineering, hydrology, environmental science, and information technology — was formally handed over Monday in a ceremony attended by government officials, educators, and community leaders.
“This project reflects DP World’s belief that education drives sustainable growth,” said Supachai Wattanaveerachai, CEO of DP World Horn of Africa. “We are confident that this new laboratory will strengthen science education, open opportunities for students, and create long-term impact for the community.”
Broader Development Context
Analysts say DP World’s educational outreach illustrates how corporate investment can strengthen fragile economies that lack broad international aid.
“DP World’s commercial interests in Berbera are obvious, but this type of educational investment addresses a fundamental national need,” said Fatima Ahmed, a Horn of Africa analyst based in Nairobi. “By building scientific capacity, they are helping Somaliland produce a workforce that can sustain not just the port but the broader economy.”
Somaliland’s government has repeatedly emphasized that foreign investment, paired with local skill-building, is central to its development strategy. Education, officials argue, is the foundation of that model.
Students See a Future at Home
For students, the new laboratory represents more than an academic upgrade — it’s a signal that their future could be built in Somaliland rather than abroad.
“Before, we watched videos of labs in other countries,” said Ayanle Adan, a second-year petroleum engineering student. “Now we have our own. It makes our education real and shows that someone believes in our future here.”
The laboratory is part of DP World’s broader education portfolio in Somaliland, which includes scholarship programs at Abaarso Secondary School and Barwaqo University, aimed at preparing young Somalilanders for careers in logistics, science, and management.
As the new science center opened its doors this week, local leaders framed the project as proof that foreign investment — when tied to education — can yield lasting dividends.
“Infrastructure builds economies,” said one Somaliland education official at the event. “But education builds nations.”