Somalia Joins African Economic Summit in Abidjan as Chief Economists Network Launches

ABIDJAN – Somalia’s National Economic Council Chairman and Economic Adviser to the President, Dr. Hassan Aadan Hoosow, represented the Federal Government at the African Economic Summit in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, where the African Chief Economists Network was formally launched to strengthen policy coordination and knowledge sharing across the continent.

The summit, held under the theme “Elevating Africa’s Role in a Changing World,” brought together economic leaders, policymakers, and experts from across the continent to discuss the future of Africa’s economy and ways to enhance cooperation. Dr. Hoosow participated in high-level discussions on economic integration, investment strategies, and sustainable development, while also holding bilateral meetings with officials and experts from various African countries and development institutions.

Somalia has been actively engaging in continental economic forums to showcase its reform progress and attract development financing, with Minister of Finance Bihi Iman Egeh recently outlining the Federal Government’s financial progress at the African Development Bank Annual Meetings in Brazzaville, where he called for increased development financing to accelerate priority projects.

Launch of the African Chief Economists Network

A key outcome of the Abidjan summit was the formal launch of the African Chief Economists Network, a platform designed to unite the heads of economic agencies from African countries to strengthen cooperation, facilitate knowledge exchange, and provide policy advice to boost economic growth and resilience across the continent. Somalia’s participation in the network reflects its commitment to regional economic integration and policy coordination.

African leaders recently adopted the Nairobi Declaration during the Africa Forward Summit 2026, establishing a comprehensive framework for peace and security, economic transformation, climate resilience, digital innovation, and sustainable development across the continent. The declaration aligns with Somalia’s ongoing efforts to advance its economic and security agenda.

Showcasing Somalia’s Economic Reforms

During his meetings with officials and experts, Dr. Hoosow presented the progress Somalia has made in economic restructuring and strengthening its financial institutions. Somalia has made significant strides in economic governance in recent years, with the African Development Bank granting Somalia $17.68 million in debt relief following the successful completion of the Enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative (EHIPC) process. At the national level, the government has launched the $105 million Somalia Productive, Resilient, and Inclusive Growth (SPRING) project, a World Bank-funded initiative focused on advancing economic development through private-sector-led expansion and job creation.

Somalia has consistently highlighted its economic gains at international forums, with Finance Minister Egeh reaffirming the government’s dedication to economic reforms and sustainable growth at a high-level conference in Nairobi, where he met with delegates from the World Bank, African Development Bank, European Union, and other international partners.

Regional Economic Leadership

Somalia has been taking an increasingly active role in regional economic diplomacy. The country hosted the 27th meeting of the Finance Ministers of the Horn of Africa Initiative in Mogadishu, with Minister Egeh chairing the forum and welcoming representatives from South Sudan, Sudan, Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Kenya. Somalia’s participation in the Abidjan summit builds on this momentum, positioning the country as a proactive voice in continental economic discussions.

Digital Identity and Economic Infrastructure

Somalia’s engagement in Abidjan also aligns with its broader efforts to strengthen digital identity and economic infrastructure. The Federal Government previously participated in the ID4Africa 2026 Annual General Meeting in Abidjan, focusing on building inclusive and sustainable digital ID systems as foundational infrastructure for modern governance. To date, the National Identification and Registration Authority has issued over one million National Identification Cards nationwide.

Way Forward

Somalia’s participation in the Abidjan summit and its engagement with the African Chief Economists Network reflect the Federal Government’s determination to deepen regional economic integration, attract investment, and position the country as a reliable partner in Africa’s economic transformation. The connections made and knowledge shared at the summit are expected to contribute to Somalia’s ongoing economic reform agenda and its efforts to build a more resilient and inclusive economy.