Somtuna – A Sustainable Export-driven Venture for Somaliland Economy
The Horn of Africa is poised to benefit from a surge in blue economy investments, as regional and international players turn their attention to the vast, under exploited potential of the area’s coastal waters.
Among the most significant of these ventures is Somtuna, a fish processing company based at the port of Berbera in Somaliland, which is fast becoming a flagship enterprise in the region’s emerging seafood sector.
Somtuna captured attention at the Saudi Food Expo 2025 in Riyadh last week, where its tuna products—sourced from the unpolluted waters of the Gulf of Aden—received praise from buyers and industry leaders. The event, one of the Middle East’s most influential food trade platforms, brought together hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of stakeholders, underlining Saudi Arabia’s growing role as a nexus for food security and cross-border investment.
Somtuna’s rise has been underpinned by a major investment from Dahabshiil Group, one of the region’s leading financial and telecommunications firms. Its facility in Berbera features modern processing and packaging infrastructure built to international export standards, enabling the company to supply markets across the Middle East and beyond.
Specializing in canned tuna, fish oil, and fish meal, the company has not only created jobs but also laid the groundwork for a more industrialized and export-driven local economy—an important step in a region long dependent on remittances and informal trade.
“This is about more than fish—it’s about building a sustainable, export-driven economy in a region rich in natural resources and ambition,” said a Dahabshiil representative. “Somtuna demonstrates that Africa can meet the highest standards in food production and quality assurance.”
Somtuna’s canned tuna, prepared without additives or preservatives, is already being exported to neighbouring Ethiopia, where consumer demand is increasing. The company is now targeting further expansion into Asian and European markets.
“Dahabshiil’s investment in Somtuna isn’t just about profit,” said one international analyst. “It’s about long-term vision—developing local capabilities that have global relevance.”
Abdirashid Duale, CEO of Dahabshiil Group, said the initiative is part of a broader commitment to sustainable development and regional job creation. “As Somtuna scales up its operations and builds new trade links, it stands as a symbol of what’s possible when African innovation, diaspora capital, and regional stability align,” he said.