Somalia Moves to Strengthen Regional Economic Integration with New National Strategy

Mogadishu (SONNA) — The Deputy Prime Minister of the Federal Government of Somalia, H.E. Salah Ahmed Jama, on Tuesday opened a consultation meeting on Somalia’s National Strategy for Regional Integration, focusing on strengthening economic, trade, and infrastructure connectivity between Somalia and countries across the region.

The meeting brought together several Federal Government ministers, representatives from government institutions, and technical experts to discuss the development and implementation of the national strategy.

Deputy Prime Minister Salah said Africa is emerging as one of the world’s major markets, attracting growing interest from global economies, and highlighted Somalia’s strategic potential to serve as a bridge between Africa and the rest of the world due to its extensive coastline.

He identified limited economic integration and intra-African trade as major challenges facing countries across the continent, stressing the need for evidence-based approaches to ensure Somalia and its people can benefit from the opportunities created by greater regional integration.

The National Strategy for Regional Integration will establish a framework for Somalia to leverage its trade routes, ports, and border crossings to facilitate trade, expand markets, attract investment, and strengthen economic connectivity with the Horn of Africa, East Africa, and the wider continent.