By Zamzam Daqare - Reporter
MOGADISHU (Dawan), August 29, 2026 – The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has launched the $31.22 million Rural Livelihoods Resilience Programme (RLRP) in Mogadishu, aimed at strengthening agricultural production, food security and the resilience of rural communities across Somalia.
IFAD Regional Director for the Near East, North Africa, Europe and Central Asia Naoufel Telahigue said the partnership between IFAD and Somalia has expanded significantly in recent years, with the organisation’s financing for the country rising from $10 million to more than $100 million.
Telahigue said Somalia had moved beyond a period of dealing with outstanding arrears and had now become a contributor to IFAD through the agency’s IFAD14 replenishment.
“We are very proud that less than three years ago Somalia was dealing with arrears, and today it is a country contributing to IFAD. We thank the Somali government and the Somali people for their valuable contribution to the IFAD14 replenishment,” Telahigue said.
He added that future cooperation would be guided by IFAD’s new Country Strategic Opportunities Programme (COSOP), which runs through 2030 and is aligned with Somalia’s National Transformation Plan and Vision 2060.
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Somalia’s Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, Mohamed Khair Maareeye, said the government would continue strengthening its contribution to IFAD’s development programmes.
“The Government of Somalia commits to providing its financial contribution every year over the next three years, as part of the resources collected by IFAD from governments and international partners and then directed to countries that need support,” Maareeye said.
The RLRP will focus on strengthening the resilience of rural communities, improving agricultural production, enhancing food security and expanding economic opportunities for rural households.
IFAD said the new cooperation framework aims to support more than 125,000 rural households and mobilise over $100 million in investment to develop Somalia’s agricultural sector and rural economy.