11 September 2026

World Bank-Backed Programme Targets Airport and Airspace Upgrades in Somalia

Edited by:

African Pilot Newsdesk

Written by:

Phillippa Dean

Why this article matters
The aviation component moves beyond individual airport improvements by combining runway rehabilitation, airfield lighting, rescue and firefighting equipment, passenger security systems and nationwide air navigation upgrades within a single programme. Phase 1 targets two airports for ICAO Code 3C classification, nine ARFF vehicles and seven each of ADS-B ground stations and VSAT sites.

The programme also addresses how Somalia manages and finances its aviation infrastructure. Alongside the physical investment, it provides for a civil aviation masterplan, a roadmap towards a Somalia Airports Authority, revised approaches to overflight revenue and additional licensing of air traffic management professionals, linking infrastructure investment with regulatory capacity and longer-term operations and maintenance.

Of Interest
- Total Phase 1 financing: US$160 million
- Safe and Resilient Air Access allocation: US$19.5 million
- Air traffic management and sustainable overflight revenue allocation: US$6.5 million
- Air transport capacity development allocation: US$2.5 million
- Airports covered by planned aviation investment: Mogadishu, Baidoa, Kismayo, Garowe, Galkayo, Dhusamareb, Jowhar and Dhobley
- Runway and drainage investment: US$9.3 million, including full runway rehabilitation at Jowhar and Galkayo
- Airfield ground lighting: US$3 million for LED systems at Mogadishu and Garowe
- ARFF investment: US$3.7 million, with a project target of nine ARFF vehicles
- Air navigation target: Seven ADS-B ground stations and seven VSAT sites
- Phase 1 expected closing date: 30 June 2031

Somalia is to receive a substantial package of airport and air navigation upgrades under the first phase of the World Bank-backed Somalia Infrastructure Development for Access and Jobs programme, with aviation investment spanning airport infrastructure, rescue and firefighting capability, surveillance systems and institutional development.

The US$160 million first phase includes US$19.5 million for Safe and Resilient Air Access and US$6.5 million for air traffic management and sustainable overflight revenue. A further US$2.5 million is allocated to wider air transport capacity development within the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation.

Airport infrastructure work is planned across Mogadishu, Baidoa, Kismayo, Garowe, Galkayo, Dhusamareb, Jowhar and Dhobley.

At the international and regional hubs of Mogadishu, Baidoa, Kismayo and Garowe, the programme provides for airfield ground lighting, passenger and cargo screening equipment, improved power and water supplies, security and baggage screening equipment and improved Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting capacity.

Investment at Galkayo, Dhusamareb, Jowhar and Dhobley is intended to improve the resilience of airfield infrastructure to extreme weather and maintain the continuity of commercial and humanitarian operations during climate-related disruption. Planned work includes runway or airstrip rehabilitation, drainage or swales, perimeter fencing, terminal or passenger facilities and security screening equipment.

The airport programme has been developed around International Civil Aviation Organization requirements, with improvements intended to address gaps against ICAO Code 3C aerodrome standards.

Of the US$19.5 million allocated to safe and resilient air access, US$9.3 million is earmarked for runway and drainage improvements. Full runway rehabilitation is planned at Jowhar and Galkayo, while drainage improvements are planned at all four selected domestic airports.

The runway designs provide for 30-metre-wide runways, 7.5-metre shoulders on each side, a 150-metre runway strip width and 240-metre runway end safety areas, together with associated taxiway and apron upgrades.

A further US$3 million is allocated to LED airfield ground lighting at Mogadishu and Garowe. The systems are intended to support diversion flights during airspace emergencies and improve operations during periods of poor visibility and extreme weather.

Terminal and tower improvements account for US$2.95 million. New terminals incorporating control towers are planned at Dhobley and Dhusamareb, with each terminal designed to accommodate 100 passengers and include waiting areas, furnishings, passenger screening equipment, solar power and water supplies.

At Jowhar, where a terminal is already under construction, the programme will provide furnishings and screening equipment. Garowe, Baidoa and Kismayo are due to receive improvements to power, water and security systems.

Another US$550,000 is allocated to perimeter fencing at the four domestic airports, while US$3.7 million is planned for ARFF vehicles and equipment. Procurement will be based on the ICAO ARFF category applicable to each airport, including requirements covering vehicle performance, response times, pumping capacity and crew safety. The project's results framework targets the installation of nine ARFF vehicles by June 2031.

Somalia's airspace infrastructure forms a separate part of the programme. The US$6.5 million air traffic management subcomponent will finance specialised equipment, software and data services intended to improve communications, navigation and surveillance across the Somali Flight Information Region.

The programme provides for Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast and Very Small Aperture Terminal systems, with seven ADS-B ground stations and seven VSAT sites included in the project's results targets.

Each remote VSAT terminal is planned to connect with the Somalia Civil Aviation Authority headquarters by satellite. The technical requirements include cybersecurity controls, backup power and preventative maintenance arrangements, including twice-yearly site inspections and annual calibration.

The World Bank project document identifies improved airspace management as both a safety and revenue measure. Somalia's aviation sector generated US$34.8 million in domestic revenue during 2024, with the majority coming from overflight fees. The programme includes work on the structure of those charges and on mechanisms intended to provide more sustainable funding for airport and air navigation operations and maintenance.

Institutional work will run alongside the infrastructure programme. The Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation is to receive technical assistance for a five-year strategic plan and preparation of a civil aviation masterplan.

The project also provides for preparation of a roadmap towards establishing a Somalia Airports Authority. The proposed work will cover its legal mandate, governance and accountability arrangements, relationships with other aviation bodies, staffing requirements and a phased implementation plan.

The World Bank document identifies the present arrangement, under which the Somalia Civil Aviation Authority performs both airport operating and regulatory functions, as creating a conflict of interest. The proposed Airports Authority is intended to separate those functions and provide a structure for airport operations, maintenance, concessions and the reinvestment of aeronautical revenue.

Air navigation skills development is also included. The project plans to support the full licensing of 20 additional air traffic management professionals, including 10 women, through training at an ICAO-recognised institution in East Africa.

SCAA currently has 86 air traffic management professionals, comprising 75 men and 11 women, of whom 15 are fully licensed. The project's target would increase the total number of fully licensed ATM professionals to 35 by the end of Phase 1.

The first phase of the wider infrastructure programme has an expected closing date of 30 June 2031. Its results framework targets two airports upgraded to ICAO Code 3C classification, two climate-resilient runway rehabilitation projects, airfield ground lighting at two airports, nine ARFF vehicles and full coverage of the Somali Flight Information Region through upgraded air navigation systems.