President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi (Irro) inaugurates the historic Kalqoray Dam north of Hargeisa, the largest water reservoir in Somaliland's history. © Buraopost
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Hargeisa, September 4, 2025 – In a historic step toward addressing Somaliland’s growing demand for water and strengthening its infrastructure, the President of the Republic of Somaliland, Abdurahman Mohamed Abdillahi (Irro), on Thursday officially inaugurated the Kalqoray Dam, the largest water reservoir ever constructed in the nation.
Located north of the capital city Hargeisa, the Kalqoray Dam is designed to hold a staggering 1.8 million cubic meters of water, equivalent to nearly 9 million barrels. The project was fully financed and implemented by the Hargeisa Water Agency, underscoring the government’s commitment to developing locally-driven solutions for pressing social and economic needs.
The inauguration ceremony, attended by senior government officials, political leaders, engineers, and local residents, marked a defining moment in Somaliland’s pursuit of sustainable water security.
The Kalqoray Dam stands as more than just a piece of infrastructure; it represents a milestone in the government’s strategy to safeguard essential services for a rapidly expanding population. In his keynote address, President Irro emphasized the transformative potential of the dam, describing it as not just a reservoir of water but a reservoir of hope, health, and opportunity that will serve generations to come by providing reliable access to clean water for households, businesses, and communities across Hargeisa and its surrounding regions.
The President highlighted that the dam will significantly reduce the city’s vulnerability to seasonal water shortages, which have long plagued residents during prolonged dry spells. Water scarcity has remained one of the most critical challenges facing Somaliland, with Hargeisa’s population of over 1.2 million seeing demand outpace existing infrastructure. For decades, the city has relied heavily on groundwater wells, many of which are located far from urban neighborhoods. Transporting this water requires extensive pipelines and pumping facilities, often leaving some households underserved. The Kalqoray Dam directly addresses this imbalance, cutting transportation costs and improving efficiency in distribution.
During the same ceremony, President Irro also laid the foundation stone for complementary projects to expand the water supply system. These include the drilling and interlinking of new water wells, the development of water infrastructure networks to connect these wells with existing and future reservoirs, and the upgrading of Hargeisa’s pipelines and distribution systems to ensure equitable and efficient delivery. He described these efforts as strategic interventions to meet immediate needs while preparing for long-term demands.
The event drew praise from multiple voices. The managing director of the Hargeisa Water Agency expressed pride that the project was entirely funded and implemented by Somaliland institutions, demonstrating national capacity to achieve great things through vision and determination. The chairman of the Waddani Party congratulated the government for prioritizing water infrastructure, calling it an investment that touches every household and every citizen. Ordinary residents also voiced optimism. Fatima Ali, a mother of five living in northern Hargeisa, said that families who once spent hours fetching water or paying high costs now have hope that clean water will soon reach their homes.
The Kalqoray Dam is considered the largest engineering project of its kind in Somaliland’s history and one of the most ambitious attempts to reduce conflicts over water by ensuring stable supply near the capital. It is also expected to play a crucial role in environmental management, regulating seasonal rainfall, reducing flooding risks downstream, and contributing to groundwater recharge. Economically, it is anticipated to benefit agriculture, small industries, construction, and beverage producers who depend on reliable water access.
In his remarks, President Irro highlighted environmental stewardship, noting that the dam is not only about water but also about preserving land and ensuring a greener, healthier, and more sustainable Somaliland for future generations. With experts predicting that Hargeisa’s population could double in the coming two decades, the President stressed that such investments in large-scale infrastructure are vital to match the pace of urban growth and prevent shortages from overwhelming the system.
Despite Somaliland’s lack of international recognition, the Kalqoray Dam demonstrates the government’s ability to plan and execute significant development projects. Analysts have noted that the dam could serve as a model for other cities across the Horn of Africa grappling with droughts and water scarcity worsened by climate change.
In his closing message, President Irro called on citizens to protect and maintain the dam, urging a culture of conservation and shared responsibility. He reminded the public that the Kalqoray Dam belongs to the people of Somaliland, and its success will depend on how well it is safeguarded and used fairly. Water, he stressed, is life, and life must be shared.
The Kalqoray Dam and related initiatives form part of a broader national water security strategy that envisions more dams in other regions, expanded drilling, modernized water treatment facilities, and rural water programs. Renewable energy solutions, particularly solar-powered pumps, are also being explored to enhance sustainability and reduce costs.
The inauguration of the Kalqoray Dam is widely seen as a turning point in Somaliland’s development journey. It reflects the government’s determination to tackle fundamental challenges with bold solutions, while also symbolizing the resilience and ingenuity of its people. For the thousands of families in Hargeisa who have struggled daily to secure clean water, the reservoir is more than concrete and stone; it is a promise of dignity, security, and a better life.
