Somalia’s newly appointed Minister of Ports and Maritime Transport, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur Jaamac, officially assumed office on Tuesday, pledging to modernize the country’s ports and strengthen its maritime infrastructure in a bid to boost trade and secure Somalia’s coastal waters.
Speaking during the official handover ceremony in Mogadishu, Minister Jaamac emphasized the strategic importance of Somalia’s ports in unlocking the nation’s economic potential and positioning it as a key regional logistics hub in the Horn of Africa.
“Our ports are not just gateways to trade, they are lifelines to national development,” he said. “My focus will be on modernizing infrastructure, improving operational efficiency, and enhancing maritime security to protect our economic corridors and territorial waters.”
The former Minister of Defense was reassigned to the Ministry of Ports and Maritime Transport in a major cabinet reshuffle announced by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre on March 17. Jaamac had served as Defense Minister since the tenure of former Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble and is regarded as a close ally of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
His transition to the new portfolio comes amid growing public attention after delays in handing over his previous office at the Ministry of Defense. Despite the reshuffle taking effect over two weeks ago, Jaamac only formally took up his new post this week, prompting speculation and debate on social media.
The new minister inherits a sector facing both challenges and opportunities. Somalia’s long coastline and strategic location offer vast potential for regional shipping and trade, but outdated infrastructure, limited investment, and maritime insecurity—especially piracy and illegal fishing—continue to undermine growth.
In his remarks, Jaamac said he would prioritize collaboration with international partners to improve port infrastructure and security systems, while promoting transparency and accountability in port operations.
Mustaqbal
