Ethiopia’s Somali Region Launches Key Water Projects to Alleviate Shortages

By Mohamed Abdi - Reporter

Ethiopia, 15 January 2026 — Ethiopia’s Somali Regional State has signed two agreements for the design and supervision of water infrastructure projects worth a combined 55 million birr ($352,871), regional officials said on Wednesday, as part of an effort to improve water security in the drought-affected territory.

The regional Water Bureau and the Somali Region Engineering Works Corporation finalized deals for a water supply system in Shinile and a new dam in Dharraaye. The bureau said the partnership is aimed at ensuring the quality of the projects and the efficient implementation of the region's development goals.

The Shinile water project, which is estimated to cost 30 million birr ($192,475), is scheduled for completion within two months. The Dharraaye dam project, valued at 25 million birr ($160,396), is expected to be finished in three months.

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"The cooperation between our two sides plays a crucial role in raising the quality of water projects across our regions," Ahmed Mirad Layli, the region's Water Bureau Minister, said during the signing ceremony.

Mohamed Mukhtar, manager of the Somali Region Engineering Works Corporation, said the projects were part of a new pipeline of infrastructure planned by the state. He added that the corporation was satisfied with the timeline and intended to deliver the works on schedule.

The Somali region frequently suffers from severe climate-induced water shortages. Regional authorities say the new infrastructure is intended to increase access to clean water and improve public health and economic stability for local communities.

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