JIGJIGA, Ethiopia (HornPost) — Regional leaders gathered in Jigjiga for the inauguration of Shabelle Resort, a major tourism and investment project in Ethiopia’s Somali Region. The event highlighted the region’s development plans and the role of peace and infrastructure in supporting economic growth.
Those attending included Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Somali Regional State President Mustafe Mohamed Omar, Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. Senior officials, diplomats and invited guests also attended the ceremony.
The resort is located in the Shabelle area of the Fafan Zone, within the administration of Jigjiga City. It forms part of wider efforts to expand tourism, attract investment and strengthen economic links across the region.
Jigjiga’s Urban Growth Draws Attention
Jigjiga has seen investment in roads, housing, energy, industry and tourism in recent years. Projects involving airport expansion and oil and gas facilities have also featured in the region’s development plans.
The changes have brought greater attention to the Somali Region’s economic potential. However, the scale and long-term impact of these developments will depend on continued investment, effective management and access to public services.
The resort’s inauguration also provided a platform for regional leaders to discuss the links between stability, infrastructure and economic opportunity.
Abiy Ahmed Links Peace with Development
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said peace and development had helped bring regional leaders together in Jigjiga. He thanked the Somali Region’s leadership for the progress made and welcomed the visiting delegations.
Abiy also pointed to investments in roads, housing, industrial facilities and airport infrastructure. He described the Shabelle Resort as another example of the development taking place in the region.
The prime minister said the resort was more than a leisure facility. In a message shared on social media, he described it as a landmark that combines modern design with Somali culture and heritage.
He also encouraged Somalis from Ethiopia, Somalia, Djibouti, Kenya and other parts of the Horn of Africa to visit the region, invest and explore opportunities for cooperation.
Djibouti’s President Praises Regional Development
Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh congratulated Ethiopia on its development projects in the Somali Region. He encouraged local communities to work with the federal government to support further progress.
Guelleh said the resort represented an effort to bring people together through investment and economic development.
His remarks highlighted the importance of regional cooperation, particularly as countries in the Horn of Africa seek to expand trade and strengthen economic links.
Somali Region President Highlights Reforms
Mustafe Mohamed Omar, president of Ethiopia’s Somali Regional State, said reforms had helped the region advance in security, development and local administration.
He pointed to progress in infrastructure and public investment as part of the region’s broader development efforts.
The Somali Region has faced conflict and economic challenges in the past. Its leaders have since pursued initiatives aimed at improving stability, expanding infrastructure and attracting investment.
The long-term results will depend on whether these projects create lasting jobs, improve services and deliver benefits to communities across the region.
Somalia’s President Highlights Somali Culture
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud praised the resort’s design and its use of Somali cultural themes.
He said the project reflected planning, creativity and investment. He also highlighted its references to Somali heritage, including camels, livestock, milk and traditional ways of life.
Hassan Sheikh noted the changes Jigjiga has experienced over the past decade, particularly in urban development and economic infrastructure.
His attendance also brought a regional diplomatic dimension to the event, as Ethiopia and Somalia continue to pursue cooperation on shared interests.
What the Project Means for the Horn of Africa
The presence of leaders from Ethiopia, Somalia and Djibouti highlighted the regional interest in tourism, investment and economic cooperation.
For the Somali Region, Shabelle Resort could help attract visitors and create business opportunities. Its wider economic impact, however, will depend on visitor numbers, local employment and the strength of links with other businesses.
Jigjiga’s development also raises broader questions about how regional investment can support inclusive growth. Infrastructure can improve trade and mobility, but communities need reliable public services and sustainable employment to benefit over time.
As the Somali Region continues to pursue tourism and investment, the resort adds to Jigjiga’s profile as a developing urban centre in the Horn of Africa.
Prepared by: HornPost Staff Reporter
Jigjiga, Somali Region, Ethiopia
