Somalia’s Coastline Key to Expanding Livestock Trade Under AfCFTA

Somalia is sharpening its focus on trade-led growth, leveraging its extensive coastline and port infrastructure to expand livestock exports and strengthen regional integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

With key ports such as Mogadishu, Berbera, and Kismayo acting as strategic gateways, the country is positioning itself as a vital conduit between the Horn of Africa and global markets. The approach reflects a broader effort to transform geography into economic strategy, aligning logistics, exports, and policy frameworks.

“Somalia’s coastline and port infrastructure provide a natural advantage for regional trade. Under AfCFTA, we are positioning our ports and logistics systems to serve as a gateway connecting livestock producers in the Horn of Africa to continental markets,” said Osman Ibrahim, Director of Foreign Trade and Market Access.

Livestock Remains the Backbone of Trade

Livestock continues to dominate Somalia’s economic landscape, contributing around 45% of GDP and generating over 70% of export earnings. This sector remains the country’s most important trade pillar, supporting both domestic livelihoods and cross-border commerce.

However, policymakers are increasingly focused on moving beyond raw exports. Rather than relying solely on live animal shipments, Somalia is seeking to capture greater value through processing and downstream industries.

Ibrahim highlighted this shift, stating: “Beyond exporting live animals, Somalia’s strategy is to build value chains in processed meat and leather so that our livestock sector captures greater value from continental markets created under AfCFTA.”

Ports and Trade Facilitation Take Centre Stage

Somalia’s ports are central to its trade ambitions, serving not only domestic exporters but also neighbouring landlocked economies such as Ethiopia. By improving port infrastructure and streamlining procedures, the country is working to reduce bottlenecks and enhance regional connectivity.

Authorities are also developing export procedures at ports and border points to guide businesses seeking to access continental markets. These operational reforms are designed to align Somalia’s trade systems with AfCFTA requirements and improve efficiency across supply chains.

Livestock Trade Hampered by Coordination Gaps

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) region holds one of the largest livestock bases in Africa, with an estimated 155 million cattle, 133 million sheep, 160 million goats and 24 million camels across its member states. Yet despite this scale, the sector continues to fall short of its full trade potential.

Policymakers point to persistent structural barriers (fragmented regulations, weak cross-border coordination, and inconsistent sanitary and phytosanitary standards) as key constraints limiting access to continental and global markets. Much of the region’s livestock trade still operates through informal channels, reducing efficiency and traceability.

At the same time, demand is accelerating. The Middle East alone is projected to reach around 870 million consumers by 2025, with Saudi Arabia’s meat sector expected to grow at 5.4% annually through 2032. The IGAD region is already a critical supplier, accounting for 58% of live animal exports and 10% of meat demand, underscoring its strategic importance.

Efforts are now underway to address these gaps. A regional consultation convened in Naivasha by the African Union’s Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) is focused on harmonizing livestock movement permits, sanitary certification, vaccination records, and halal standards. The initiative also aims to establish mutual recognition agreements and standardized procedures along key trade corridors linking Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia.

As AU-IBAR Director Dr Huyam Salih noted: “This consultation, therefore, represents an important step forward. It aims to move beyond policy dialogue and focus on developing practical instruments that can support the operationalisation of AfCFTA-compliant livestock trade.”

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