President Irro explores Djibouti-Telecom’s high-tech submarine cable station, signaling regional digital integration.
Somaliland President Abdirahman Irro visits Djibouti-Telecom’s submarine cable landing site, marking a major step toward digital cooperation and regional tech synergy.
On the first day of his strategic visit to Djibouti, Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro made a pivotal stop at the heart of East Africa’s digital infrastructure: Djibouti-Telecom’s submarine cable landing station in Haramous. The visit underscores the growing importance of digital connectivity in Somaliland’s regional diplomacy and economic modernization agenda.
President Irro, accompanied by members of his cabinet and key officials, was warmly received by Djibouti’s Minister of Communications, Posts, and Telecommunications, Radwan Abdillahi Bahdon, and the CEO of Djibouti-Telecom. The delegation toured the facility’s high-security data center and state-of-the-art submarine cable infrastructure, gaining firsthand insight into how Djibouti has become a continental digital gateway.
With ten international submarine cables passing through its territory, Djibouti has positioned itself as the primary digital transit hub of East Africa, offering vital connections to Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
“Djibouti is currently crossed by ten international submarine cables—an exceptional concentration that positions our country as a key connectivity hub in East Africa,” said Minister Bahdon.
“We are proud to share our expertise and strengthen cooperation with our neighbors for an interconnected digital future.”
For Somaliland, the visit was more than symbolic—it was strategic. As President Irro pushes for economic diversification and tech-driven governance, digital infrastructure partnerships are becoming central to his foreign policy. Observers note that enhanced tech collaboration with Djibouti could pave the way for shared data corridors, fiber interconnectivity, and joint ventures in digital trade and cybersecurity.
The stop at Haramous follows Irro’s high-level talks with Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh and reflects a broader diplomatic pivot: one that links regional security, trade, and digital transformation.
This moment also marks a significant thaw in relations between Hargeisa and Djibouti. Once strained over political differences, both governments now appear aligned on the importance of regional integration through technology and strategic infrastructure.
President Irro’s visit to Djibouti-Telecom represents more than a tour of cables—it’s a message: Somaliland is not just seeking political recognition, but digital relevance in a rapidly shifting Horn of Africa.
