Republic of Somaliland and the World Bank have launched a high-level review of the Somaliland Enhancing Public Resource Management Project (SERP), marking a significant step in the country’s ongoing efforts to modernize public financial management, strengthen accountability, and improve government service delivery.
The two-day review meeting was officially opened on Monday by Somaliland’s Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Hon. Abdillahi Hassan Adan, at the Ambassador Hotel in Hargeisa. The gathering brings together senior government officials, development partners, and a visiting World Bank delegation to assess progress made under the project and chart the way forward before its completion.
The review focuses on evaluating achievements across key reform areas, identifying implementation challenges, and developing practical strategies to ensure the successful delivery of the project’s objectives.
Joining the minister at the opening session were the Director General of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, the Accountant General, and senior representatives from several government institutions involved in the project. Participants included the Auditor General, the Civil Service Commission, the Good Governance Commission, the National Tender Board, and the Parliamentary Committee responsible for monitoring and safeguarding national assets.
A high-level World Bank delegation led by SERP Project Manager May Ololia is also attending the meeting. The delegation arrived in Somaliland to monitor implementation progress and reaffirm the Bank’s support for the country’s public sector reform agenda.
Speaking during the opening ceremony, officials highlighted the transformative role of the SERP initiative in promoting transparency, accountability, and efficient management of public resources. They pointed to notable achievements in public financial management, domestic revenue collection, civil service administration, national procurement systems, and the strengthening of oversight institutions.
Minister Abdillahi Hassan Adan welcomed the World Bank delegation and expressed appreciation for the institution’s continued partnership with Somaliland. He particularly praised the additional financing and extension granted to the project, describing them as critical opportunities to deepen institutional reforms, modernize financial management systems, and enhance public services for citizens.
A major focus of the review will be the implementation of the Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS), progress on the Ministry of Finance’s Data Center, advancements in the Somaliland Financial Management Information System (SLFMIS), improvements to the Human Resource Management Information System (HRMIS), and the rollout of a comprehensive government workforce management framework.
Participants are also expected to examine lessons learned, address remaining challenges, and identify priority actions needed to sustain momentum and maximize the project’s impact.
By the conclusion of the meeting, stakeholders are expected to produce a detailed action plan and a set of practical recommendations aimed at accelerating public finance reforms, strengthening inter-agency cooperation, improving the management of public resources, and safeguarding the long-term gains achieved through the SERP project.
The review comes at a pivotal moment for Somaliland’s reform agenda, underscoring the government’s commitment to building stronger institutions, improving fiscal governance, and laying the foundations for sustainable economic development.