Taiwan’s representative in Somaliland celebrated 114th National Day of Taiwan (R. O. C.) on October 5th in Hargeisa. Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation H.E. Abdirahman Dahir Adam, Minister of Finance Development H.E. Abdillahi Hassan Adan Awale, Minister of Health Development H.E. Hussein Bashir Hersi, Minister of Trade and Tourism H.E. Abdirahmaan Hasan Nuur Furre, Minister of Public Work Land, and Housing H.E. Hussein Ahmed Aideed Warsame, and Former Foreign Minister Dr. Edna Adan Ismail along with other government officials, Honorable MPs, members from the business sector, academia, international partners and the media attended the occasion.
Speaking at the event of the Taiwan’s 114th National Day Celebration, Taiwan’s Ambassador to Somaliland Allen Chenhwa Lou gave a quick overview of Taiwan’s recent achievements:
- According to the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook published this June, Taiwan ranked sixth amongst the countries. Compared against economies with populations over 20 million, Taiwan has held the top position for five consecutive years.
- In the 2025 Index of Economic Freedom, released by US Heritage Foundation in March, Taiwan maintained fourth place among 184 economies.
- In the Critical and Emerging Technologies Index, released by Harvard University in June, Taiwan was given high marks in the areas of AI, semiconductors, biotechnology, aerospace, and quantum technology.
- According to Numbeo's 2025 Health Care Index, Taiwan's health care system has been ranked first globally for the seventh consecutive year.
- These international rankings highlight Taiwan’s outstanding performance and competitiveness in high-tech, innovation, healthcare and industrial upgrading.
Ambassador Lou reminded the audience that these achievements did not happen overnight. Taiwan’s President William Lai Ching-te has positioned Taiwan as a global economic powerhouse under the concept of values-based diplomacy. Under this guideline, our government has promoted integrated diplomacy, fully utilizing Taiwan’s position in the democratic values chain, the first island chain, and non-red supply chains. While authoritarian states continue to use gray-zone tactics, economic coercion, and other means to threaten global democracy and security, Taiwan is promoting an integrated approach to international relations through values-based, alliance, and economic diplomacy.
Taiwan government continues to leverage our industrial strengths in implementing four key strategies - large enterprises leading small, software and hardware integration, dual emphasis on domestic and external development, and public-private partnerships. We aim to establish a combined fleet of Team of Teams - a collaborative platform to jointly upgrade Taiwanese industry, extend Taiwan’s international economic and trade networks, and expand Taiwan’s international engagement and diplomatic space.
Ambassador Lou stated that Taiwan has become the center of AI revolution and the “digital ammunition” to the non-red supply chains without national security concerns. Let me give you some takeaways. 60% of global chips are produced in Taiwan, along with 95% of advanced chips and 100% of AI chips, and that protecting the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait protects the global supply chains that make our modern way of life possible.
Taiwan shares what we do best, and Taiwan shares what we are good at. Our leading advantages are manifested in our initiatives and cooperation in Somaliland. From democratization support in 2021 Parliamentary and Municipality election and 2024 Presidential and Party elections, to cooperation in Public Health, education, agriculture, Technology, security, oil exploration, critical minerals exploration, fishery, business, and humanitarian assistance as follows:
- Public Health Cooperation:
- Health Information System (HIS) started in Hargeisa Group Hospital, later launched in Borama, Burao, Berbera and is now starting in Erigavo, MAS Children Hospital, Gabiley, Baligubadle, and Salahley. HIS project is also partnering with the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania to incorporate AI into medical record generation, clinical diagnoses and case follow-ups.
- Public Health Emergency Response System Enhancement Project is a newly build health system to save the lives.
- These two projects also complement with ICU trainings to establish standard operating procedures (SOP), disease prevention and healthcare management.
- Agriculture Cooperation:
Taiwan Technical Mission has partnered with Ministry of Agriculture aiming at improving food security and increasing agricultural productivity. This project includes technical training for farmers and introduction of modern farming techniques and quality seeds from Taiwan. We are scheduled the 2nd phase of 5-year project from 2026.
- Higher Education and Capacity Building Cooperation
Taiwan offers Taiwan Government Scholarships, Taiwan Fellowship, and trainings in Taiwan annually to cultivate Somaliland young talents yearly. In 2025, 33 Taiwan Government Scholarship recipients including Security Scholarship are awarded. In total, so far more than 180 Somaliland recipients are benefitted.
- Maritime Security Cooperation
Based on maritime security serves the shared interests of all like-minded partners to counter China’s malign expansion in the Horn Africa and maritime security is the foundation for developing blue economy, Taiwan invited the delegation led by Foreign Minister Adam in July to visit Taiwan for witnessing the signing of Coast Guard agreement. The signed Taiwan-Somaliland Coast Guard agreement is a non-red security platform for aligning with like-minded partners led by USA to safeguard the common maritime security interests. We believe that this initiate can catalyze more supports.
- Technology Cooperation
Beyond the electoral biometric system, Taiwan has been involved in strengthening Somaliland’s IT infrastructure and talent buildings. This includes the development of e-governance systems (S-Road), cybersecurity standards, Somaliland Innovation Zone and National Data Center. The data center will become a crucial cornerstone for advancing digital governance and information security in Somaliland, and yet another testament to Taiwan’s software-hardware integration approach.
- Upcoming infrastructure
Following the accomplishment of Taiwan Avenue, the launching of Somaliland National Data Center, Taiwan Medical Center, a 22-million-dollar project commitment, is set to break ground this month. This turn-key project entails both the building and the necessary medical equipment it houses. We envision this project to become the hub for international collaboration with like-minded partners and another software-hardware integration success.
- Oil and Critical Mineral Cooperation
Taiwan’s National Oil company Taiwan CPC partners with Ganel Energy to drill the deep oil well before 2027. Taiwan’s investment amount is Tens of Millions in USD.
Taiwan’s company partners with USA team to explore the critical minerals. I believe Somaliland Government is building a transparent mechanism to facilitate more international investments.
In conclusion, Ambassador Lou emphasized that Taiwan is the facilitator, the catalyst, the leading indicator that the diplomatic leverage for catalyzing more international support for both Taiwan and Somaliland. The success of our cooperation benefits from the shared visions, shared goals, and accumulative efforts. No objective is too small to achieve, and no effort goes in vain. The success of each cooperation is a joint effort. The government and people of Somaliland and all international partners contributing to its development deserve a round of applause for our joint achievements!
On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Somaliland, Minister H.E. Abdirahman Dahir Adam expressed the warmest congratulations to the government and people of Taiwan on Taiwan’s 114th National Day. He further elaborated that as the celebration is held in Hargeisa, as a symbol of the friendship, solidarity, and shared aspirations that bind both countries together. Taiwan and Somaliland stand shoulder to shoulder in recognition of our achievements, joint resilience, and unwavering pursuit of democracy, progress and prosperity. Taiwan has built a nation that shines as a beacon of innovation, good governance and human development in Asia and beyond. Taiwan is both an inspiration and reminder that determination and unity overcomes any challenge.
Minister Adam explained that the relationship between Taiwan and Somaliland is more than diplomatic- it is a partnership built on mutual respect, common values, and shared visions for a better future. Through cooperation in healthcare, education, technology, trade, and infrastructure, both nations are demonstrating that recognition is not only about formalities but also the tangible impact we bring to people’s lives. Somaliland knows the meaning of resilience by building a democratic society in a challenging region. In the journey to seek our rightful place in the community of nations, Taiwan’s friendship strengthens both countries, and solidarity with Taiwan remains steadfast.
Minister Adam reaffirms Somaliland’s unwavering commitment to deepen its partnership with Taiwan in pursuit of freedom, dignity and to work together for peace, development, prosperity not just for the peoples but for the broader Horn of Africa and Indo Pacific region. May the bonds between Somaliland and Taiwan grow stronger with each passing year, and continue to inspire the world with our resilience and our determination to chart our own paths with dignity. (E)
