By Zamzam Daqare - Reporter
Mogadishu, 18 August 2026 Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre met with African Continental Free Trade Area Secretary-General Wamkele Mene in Mogadishu on Monday to discuss economic and trade opportunities for Somalia under AfCFTA.
According to the Office of the Prime Minister, the talks focused on implementing trade agreements to strengthen domestic production and expand access to regional markets.
Prime Minister Hamza said the visit came at a “significant time” as Somalia moves to deepen economic integration with the continent. He highlighted the government’s focus on the National Transformation Plan 2025–2029, institutional reform, investment promotion, and expanding local production.
He briefed the AfCFTA delegation on Somalia’s economic potential, including its strategic coastline, ports, and natural resources. He also stressed the need to add value to agricultural, livestock and fisheries products to enable Somali goods to compete in regional and international markets.
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For his part, Mene thanked the prime minister for the reception and said he had observed progress in Somalia’s infrastructure development, production capacity and institutional strengthening.
Somalia recently joined AfCFTA, a continental framework aimed at reducing trade barriers and boosting economic ties among African countries.