Somaliland’s Finance Ministry reviews World Bank-funded development projects as the government strengthens fiscal oversight, fights corruption and seeks to stabilize the Somaliland shilling
Somaliland’s Ministry of Finance and Economic Development convened a quarterly review of World Bank-funded development projects, bringing together senior government officials and project coordinators as the administration seeks to accelerate implementation, strengthen accountability and ensure that development financing produces measurable results.
The meeting, chaired Sunday by Director General Mohamed Hassan Suleiman and organized through the ministry’s Portfolio Center of Excellence (PCE), focused on the performance of projects being implemented by government institutions across Somaliland.
Officials reviewed implementation progress, expenditure, project management and coordination, while identifying obstacles that could delay the delivery of planned activities.
The review comes as the government places greater emphasis on public financial management and the effective use of external development assistance. Participants assessed the tangible results generated by World Bank-supported programs and examined whether projects remained aligned with their approved objectives and implementation schedules.
Suleiman stressed that development resources must be managed efficiently and transparently.
The director general said projects should remain focused on their approved objectives while ensuring that external support and public resources are used “efficiently, transparently, and effectively” for the benefit of Somaliland’s population.
He also reaffirmed the Finance Ministry’s commitment to working with implementing ministries, government agencies, project coordination offices and development partners to resolve bottlenecks and improve project performance.
Portfolio Center highlights coordination with World Bank
Mohamed Abdi, head of the Portfolio Center of Excellence, presented an update on the center’s work coordinating and monitoring World Bank-funded projects.
He highlighted continued engagement between the PCE and World Bank management, including discussions intended to facilitate access to development financing and better align available resources with Somaliland’s development priorities.
The meeting also reported increased project expenditure and utilization of allocated funds. Directors general and project coordinators provided updates on achievements, implementation constraints and plans for accelerating activities during the next reporting period.
Participants described the quarterly review mechanism as an important tool for strengthening information-sharing and institutional accountability. They also emphasized the need for closer cooperation among the Finance Ministry, implementing agencies, project offices and the World Bank.
The meeting ended with a commitment to improve monitoring, coordination and implementation so that development assistance translates into sustainable outcomes.