By Mohamed Abdi - Reporter
MOGADISHU (Dawan), 11 August 2026 – Somalia has launched a framework to put people at the centre of national development planning, with the government moving to create an institution that links demographic trends to economic and social policy.
The Ministry of Planning, Investment and Economic Development on Tuesday unveiled the proposed National Council for Population and Development in Mogadishu.
The council would serve as a national body to coordinate population and development policy. It would use demographic data, including population size, age structure, migration and social needs, to inform decisions on health, education, employment and other essential services.
Planning Minister Mohamud Abdirahman Beenebeene said the initiative is designed to ensure Somali citizens remain the focus of development policy.
Related articles
“The National Council will work at the intersection of development and population. Every development initiative must be assessed by whether it improves people’s lives,” he said.
Federal and regional government officials attended the launch, along with representatives from UN agencies, universities, the Chamber of Commerce, civil society organizations and other stakeholders.
The initiative comes as Somalia faces growing pressure to align long-term planning with population changes, particularly in projecting demand for public services, jobs and economic opportunities.
If established, the council would provide institutional leadership and coordination to turn Somalia’s population dynamics into opportunities for economic growth, social development and a more sustainable future.