By Asha Elmi - Reporter
Somalia, Aug. 12, 2026 – Somalia has begun work on a national strategy for regional economic integration to strengthen trade and infrastructure links in the region, the prime minister's office said on Tuesday.
Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama opened a meeting in Mogadishu to review the proposed strategy, which brought together federal ministers, government officials and technical experts, the office said.
The strategy is intended to set out how Somalia can make greater use of its trade routes, ports and borders to facilitate trade, expand markets, attract investment and strengthen economic connectivity with the Horn of Africa, East Africa and the wider continent.
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Jama said Africa was becoming an increasingly important global market and that Somalia's long coastline could give it an opportunity to serve as a link between African markets and the rest of the world, according to a statement from the prime minister's office.
He also highlighted the limited level of trade between African countries as a major challenge to economic integration and called for an evidence-based approach to help Somalia and its population benefit from regional economic opportunities.
The strategy will focus on strengthening Somalia's economic integration with neighbouring and regional countries through improved trade links, infrastructure and market access, the prime minister's office said.