By Mohamed Abdi - Reporter
Somalia, 12 May 2026 – Somalia’s federal government finalized a National Housing Policy to guide urban development and regulate construction standards nationwide.
The policy was finalized at a two-day consultation conference held in Mogadishu, organized by Somalia’s Public Works Ministry and regional ministries.
Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama, who closed the conference, said Somalia needed a national framework to regulate urban expansion as high-rise buildings and new construction projects increase in Mogadishu and other cities.
“Constructing high-rise buildings without clear planning and regulatory systems is not sustainable development,” Jama said. “We need policies and systems that guide how cities and housing are built.”
Government officials said the policy focuses on urban planning, housing quality standards and establishing unified national guidelines for future housing construction across Somalia.
Public Works, Reconstruction and Housing Minister Ayuub Ismail said the policy would help Somalia develop organized cities with modern planning standards and improved urban aesthetics.
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“This policy will help Somalia establish a modern system for housing and construction so that Somali citizens can live in organized and well-planned environments,” the minister said.
The conference was attended by public works ministers from the federal member states, urban planning experts and officials involved in development projects.
The ministry said the policy would be submitted to Somalia’s cabinet for final approval.
Somalia began drafting the policy late last year as part of broader efforts to address unregulated urban growth, housing shortages and reconstruction challenges caused by decades of conflict and displacement.
Officials said future housing developments across the country would be expected to align with the National Housing Policy once it is formally approved.