Nairobi (Dawan Africa) – Finance Ministers from countries under the Horn of Africa Initiative (HoAI) convened today at the African Development Bank (AfDB) office in Nairobi to discuss advancing the digital agenda, enhancing regional integration, and boosting economic development across the region. The meeting took place on July 10, 2025, and was attended by representatives from Somalia’s Ministry of Finance, Kenya’s Ministry of Finance, the World Bank, Germany’s BMZ, the European Commission, and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.
Somalia’s Minister of Finance, Bihi Iman Egeh, chaired the meeting, where he emphasized the crucial role of digital transformation in economic growth, job creation, and regional connectivity. "We had productive discussions with our development partners on advancing the region’s digital agenda, which is key to driving economic growth, creating jobs, and strengthening regional interconnectivity,” Minister Bihi Egeh said on X (formerly Twitter).
The meeting follows Somalia’s assumption of the rotating chairmanship of HoAI in April 2025 during the 24th Ministerial gathering held at the World Bank Headquarters in Washington, DC. Established in 2019, the Horn of Africa Initiative aims to foster economic cooperation and development among Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan. The initiative is supported by key development partners, including the African Development Bank, the World Bank, the European Commission, and bilateral donors from several countries.
