The Republic of Somaliland’s Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, in partnership with the Ministry of Water Development and UNICEF, on Tuesday convened a high-level meeting in Hargeisa to present and discuss the findings of a comprehensive budget review of public expenditure on the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector.
Held at the Ambassador Hotel, the meeting brought together senior government officials and development partners to evaluate the level of public investment in water and sanitation services and assess whether budget allocations have translated into improved service delivery across the country.
The review also aims to strengthen future planning and budget allocation by ensuring that investment decisions are guided by reliable data and evidence, enabling the Government to better address the sector’s priorities and challenges.
Opening the meeting, Mohamed Hassan Saleban, Director General of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, said the expenditure review forms part of the Government’s broader efforts to strengthen public financial management and ensure that national resources are utilized efficiently, effectively, and in line with Somaliland’s development priorities.
The Director General emphasized that evidence-based budgeting is essential to improving accountability, maximizing the impact of public spending, and delivering better services to citizens.
Also addressing the meeting were Abdishakur Ismail Hussein, Director General of the Ministry of Water Development, and Abigail Tevera, Head of UNICEF Somaliland’s Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Programme. They stressed the importance of basing investment and policy decisions on sound research and credible evidence to improve the quality, accessibility, and sustainability of water and sanitation services throughout Somaliland.
The officials noted that informed budget decisions are critical to expanding access to safe water and sanitation while ensuring that limited public resources are directed toward the areas of greatest need.
The meeting forms part of ongoing joint efforts by the Somaliland Government and its development partners to enhance transparency in public financial management, improve the efficiency of government spending, and ensure that investment in the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector effectively responds to community needs and supports Somaliland’s long-term national development goals.