Nairobi, Kenya – 17 June 2025 — A high-level delegation from the Federal Republic of Somalia, comprising representatives from federal government institutions, Federal Member States, civil society organisations, the private sector, and academia, has successfully concluded its participation in a regional dissemination workshop on the National Capacity Development Strategy (NCDS). The two-day event, held from 16–17 June 2025 in Nairobi, Kenya, was convened with the support of the African Development Bank (AfDB) and brought together delegations from Somalia, South Sudan, Guinea-Bissau, and the Central African Republic.
The Somali delegation was led by Mr. Mohamed Hassan Shire, Director General of the Ministry of Planning, Investment and Economic Development, and reflected a whole-of-society approach to governance and institutional reform.
The first day of the workshop featured official opening remarks by country representatives, technical presentations from AfDB experts, and in-depth discussions on results-based financing, programmatic planning tools, and public sector performance. Delegates engaged in thematic working groups to explore shared challenges and opportunities for collaboration.
In his opening remarks, Director General Mohamed Shire highlighted Somalia’s reform trajectory and reaffirmed the government’s resolve to strengthen institutions, invest in human capital, and foster accountable governance in line with national and regional development goals.
On the second day, Somalia delivered its country presentation, led by Mr. Adow Mohamed Adan, Director of Human Resources. The presentation outlined Somalia’s National Capacity Development Strategy (2025–2029), which was developed through a broad-based consultative process involving public sector actors, academia, and civil society.
The strategy is closely aligned with Somalia’s National Transformation Plan (2025–2029) and Vision 2060. It emphasizes institutional reform, workforce development, and the establishment of robust systems for service delivery, data management, and monitoring and evaluation. A central feature of the strategy is its whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to state-building and public sector transformation.
During the closing session, Somalia reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the NCDS in a transparent, coordinated, and impact-oriented manner. The event concluded with a draft communiqué and closing statements from country representatives and AfDB leadership, highlighting the importance of national ownership, regional cooperation, and sustained development financing.
The African Development Bank’s African Development Institute (ECAD) played a central role in facilitating the workshop, with guidance provided by Dr. Eric Ogunleye and Dr. Ann Sow Dao. The Bank’s technical and strategic leadership was widely acknowledged by all participating countries.
Somalia’s participation in the dissemination workshop marks an important step toward strengthening the institutional foundations needed for long-term development. As the strategy moves into the implementation phase, national stakeholders will focus on operationalizing the NCDS, integrating it into policy and planning frameworks, and mobilizing the necessary resources to ensure effective delivery.
The workshop reinforced a shared regional vision for institutional resilience, inclusive governance, and sustainable progress in fragile and conflict-affected states.
