Washington, D.C. – SONNA: The Federal Government of Somalia has taken over the leadership of the Horn of Africa Initiative (HoAI) following the 24th ministerial meeting of the regional cooperation forum. Somalia’s Minister of Finance, Mr. Bihi Imaan Ige, officially assumed the chairmanship from Ethiopia’s outgoing chair, Minister Ahmed Shide, marking a new phase in regional economic collaboration.
The Horn of Africa Initiative brings together finance ministers from Somalia, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, and South Sudan to advance shared development projects, enhance trade connectivity, and promote economic integration across the region. Key achievements under the initiative include the development of cross-border road networks, facilitating smoother trade and economic activity throughout the Horn.
In his inaugural address, Minister Ige emphasized Somalia’s commitment to driving regional progress. “It is an honor for Somalia to take over the leadership of this vital forum, which we helped establish,” he said. “Over the next two years, we will prioritize regional integration, infrastructure investment, and economic development to unlock the Horn’s full potential.”
As chair, Somalia will focus on accelerating joint infrastructure projects, improving trade facilitation, and attracting investment to strengthen the region’s economic resilience. The HoAI has been instrumental in advancing large-scale connectivity projects, including highways linking neighboring countries, which are critical for boosting commerce and mobility.
Somalia’s leadership comes at an important moment as the country continues to strengthen its role in regional diplomacy and economic cooperation. The Horn of Africa Initiative remains a cornerstone of multilateral efforts to foster stability and prosperity across the region.
