Pharo Foundation's water reservoir in SomalilandDawan Africa | 7 September 2025

By Abdullahi Salad 

Wajaale (Dawan Africa) – Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro, Somaliland President, has defended the controversial Wajaale irrigation and farming project, describing it as a vital economic and environmental investment rather than a land-grab scheme.

Addressing criticism from sections of the local community on Saturday night at a gathering in Gabiley, Irro insisted that no resident would be forcibly displaced from their land. He emphasized that the land in question has been under Somaliland’s control for more than two decades and that formal agreements had transferred it to the Somaliland’s authority.

“The project document clearly states that the land has been taken over by the state. It is currently under the control of government forces. We want to assure our people that no farmer will be uprooted or evicted,” Irro said, adding that the initiative would attract global investment and bring long-term benefits.

The project, led by the Pharo Foundation, has stirred debate over its social and environmental impact. Supporters within the administration argue it will boost agriculture and help tackle climate change, while critics say the deal lacks transparency and adequate consultation.

Documents reviewed by Dawan Africa in July reveal that the Somaliland administration and Pharo Foundation signed an 18-month-negotiated lease agreement covering 5,800 hectares. Under the terms, Pharo will pay $10 per hectare annually—a total of $58,000 a year—a figure that opponents argue is far below market value. The contract also grants Pharo Foundation broad exemptions, including from all taxes and import duties, as well as full autonomy over staffing, land management, and project operations. The administration will retain only 10% of the agricultural output.

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Pharo Foundation | 18 April 2025

The purpose of the meeting was to explore ways for the Government of the Republic of Somaliland and Pharo Foundation to collaborate in investing in and developing the country’s agricultural production and enhancing food security. President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Cirro welcomed the engagement with Pharo Foundation’s leadership and affirmed his government’s commitment to attracting and working with organisations that seek to invest in Somaliland’s agriculture, livestock, mineral resources, and other abundant natural assets.

President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Cirro emphasized that investment in agriculture and water infrastructure for farmers is a key strategic priority. He underlined Somaliland’s firm commitment to working transparently with investors to achieve national goals of sustainable development and food security.

On their part, the senior leadership of Pharo Foundation expressed deep gratitude to President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Cirro for the warm welcome, the hospitality extended, and the facilitation of this important meeting. They also congratulated President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Cirro on his election victory and praised Somaliland for its peace, stability, and robust democratic governance.

Pharo Foundation leaders stated that they came to the Presidential Palace to discuss with President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Cirro and his administration the largest and most economically significant agricultural project the foundation has ever planned for implementation in Somaliland.

They further noted that the envisioned partnership between Pharo Foundation and the Government of Somaliland is driven by an ambitious and long-term vision that will bring tangible benefits to the country.

This collaboration is expected to yield substantial advancements in water harvesting and agricultural development. The project will both employ modern and capital-intensive methods enabling large-scale water collection and irrigation of farmlands, as well as environmentally sustainable and cutting-edge agricultural technologies.

Representing Pharo Foundation at the meeting were Guillaume Fonkenell and Farah Jirdeh-Fonkenell, Tom Mason, Mohamed Muse Elmi, Mohamed Farah, and Khalid Essa.

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Hargeisa | 20 August 2024

By Wararka Maanta

The Pharo Ventures has announced that it will soon implement two large projects in Somaliland.

Pharo said that Somaliland is implementing a dam and a large farm, which will be the largest ever implemented in the country.

The head of the Pharo Ventures Somaliland office, Mohamed Farah Jihad, spoke about the development projects implemented by Somaliland since the establishment of the company.

The head of the Pharo Ventures said that the Pharo company was created by citizens of Somaliland.

He also pointed out that the Pharo Foundation has implemented various projects in Somaliland in the fields of construction, education, health, agriculture and other prominent projects.

Mohamed Farah, has announced that the Pharo Ventures is implementing the largest Farm ever built in Somaliland for the first time in history.

He also said that the Pharo Foundation is building the largest water dam in Somaliland.

He said that they are changing the system used in agriculture in the country, so that the farms have annual production.

The Pharo Ventures is a self-sustaining and dynamic non-profit organization committed to fostering self-sufficiency in Africa. They do this by focusing on three activities namely education, water and production, operating in Somaliland, Ethiopia, Kenya and Rwanda. Pharo is a privately funded organization that focuses on sustainable businesses as well as non-profit projects, which prioritize problem solving, research, and economic empowerment. Using this multi-faceted approach, the Foundation strives to empower communities, facilitate growth and create lasting impact across the continent.

The Pharo Ventures is a privately funded business organization that manages philanthropic programs as well as a for-profit arm, Pharo Ventures. The Foundation’s vision is an economically active and inclusive Africa. The goal is to achieve its mission by investing in human and physical capital in Africa with a focus on job creation. Established in 2011 as a non-profit organization based in the UK, the Foundation has since made a strategic shift to directly design and implement its programs to ensure broad participation in communities, better results and increased accountability. The foundation has implemented many projects in East Africa, focusing on Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Somaliland. The Ventures main philanthropic themes are education, health, water and agriculture. At the end of 2019, the Foundation launched its Paro Ventures franchise to prioritize sectors where the Foundation believes that a real impact can be made by building self-sustaining businesses focused on job creation.