Sunday January 11, 2026
Mogadishu (HOL) — A new commercial and parking complex designed to ease congestion and modernize services at Mogadishu’s main airport was officially inaugurated Saturday inside the perimeter of Aden Adde International Airport.
The DARMAD Business Park, which offers organized parking, banking services, business centers and passenger facilities, was formally opened by the governor of the Banadir Regional Administration and mayor of Mogadishu, Dr. Hassan Mohamed Hussein, known as Muungaab. The development is intended to address long-standing traffic and service challenges at Somalia’s busiest airport.
The ceremony was attended by cabinet ministers, members of parliament, senior government officials and business leaders, many of whom described the project as a significant contribution to airport operations and to the wider capital.
Funded by Amana Bank, an international financial institution operating in Somalia, the project was designed to regulate vehicle movement around the airport and eliminate unsafe parking practices that have plagued the area for years.
Speaking at the event, Abdirisaq Hussein, chairman of Amana Bank, said the project took considerable time to complete and was developed in close coordination with the federal government.
“The main objective is to stop vehicles from parking in inappropriate areas and to establish a modern system aligned with international standards,” he said, adding that the facility would improve safety and order for passengers and airport users.
Governor Muungaab praised the role of private investors in delivering the project and said the Banadir administration is strengthening cooperation with the business community to accelerate Mogadishu’s development.
“This partnership between government and the private sector is essential for rebuilding the capital and improving public services,” he said.
Petroleum and Minerals Minister Dahir Shire Mohamed stressed the importance of maintaining both security and proper management of the new facility, calling DARMAD Business Park a service that enhances the airport’s order and appearance.
“Security and adherence to procedures are the foundation of this project’s success,” he said, expressing confidence in the airport’s security forces. He welcomed Amana Bank’s investment, describing it as timely and critical to improving airport infrastructure, and urged further private-sector investment in national development.
Ahmed Moalim, director of the Somali Civil Aviation Authority, said congestion and frequent vehicle collisions had previously disrupted traffic flow at the airport, creating safety concerns and delays.
“This project solves a long-standing problem,” he said, crediting the Banadir administration for facilitating its implementation.
Aden Adde Airport manager Abdinasir Mohamud Gurey described the business park as a key milestone in the airport’s broader restructuring plan, aimed at improving competitiveness with regional and international airports.
“This is a strong beginning,” he said, while noting that additional upgrades will still be required to complete the modernization process and further improve passenger services.
Aden Adde International Airport serves as Somalia’s primary international gateway and has undergone gradual improvements in recent years amid ongoing security and infrastructure challenges. Officials say projects such as DARMAD Business Park reflect growing confidence among investors and a push to normalize services in a city long shaped by conflict.
