The Director General of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development of Somaliland Mr. Mohamed Hassan, alongside the Government’s Chief Accountant, welcomed Ms. Keiko Nagai, a Senior Operations Officer from the World Bank, at the Ministry’s headquarters. The visit marks a significant step in strengthening collaboration between Somaliland and the World Bank ahead of a high-level delegation scheduled to arrive in early August.
The meeting focused on critical areas of mutual interest, including the status of ongoing World Bank-supported projects in Somaliland, upcoming initiatives in the pipeline, and strategies to address challenges while maximizing opportunities. Discussions emphasized reforms to enhance the efficiency and impact of current projects, aiming to bolster Somaliland’s economic development and public service delivery.
Key projects reviewed included the Somaliland Civil Service Strengthening Project II, designed to improve governance and institutional capacity, and the Barwaaqo project, which expands access to water, agriculture, livestock, and environmental services across Somaliland and other regions. The talks also explored ways to streamline project implementation to ensure sustainable outcomes, particularly in the face of climate-related challenges such as recurring droughts.
Ms. Nagai’s visit underscores the World Bank’s commitment to supporting Somaliland’s development agenda, with a focus on fostering resilience and inclusive growth. The forthcoming August delegation is expected to further these discussions, potentially unlocking new financing and technical assistance opportunities to advance Somaliland’s National Development Plan.
“This engagement with the World Bank is a pivotal moment for Somaliland as we work to strengthen our institutions and deliver tangible benefits to our people,” said the Director General Mohamed. “We look forward to deepening this partnership to address our development priorities effectively.”
The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development remains optimistic about the outcomes of these engagements, which are poised to enhance Somaliland’s economic resilience and improve the livelihoods of its citizens.