By Abdullahi Salad - Reporter
Somalia, 11 June 2026 – Somalia seeks to remove trade barriers with neighbouring Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti to strengthen economic integration in the Horn of Africa, Trade Minister Gamal Mohamed Hassan said.
Hassan made the remarks after opening a consultation meeting attended by government institutions, Somali business representatives and development partners on Wednesday in Mogadishu.
He said the discussions focused on the trade component of the Horn of Africa Initiative, a regional platform involving Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti and South Sudan.
“The question is how we, as Somalia, can trade with our neighbouring countries,” Hassan said, adding that the talks focused on barriers facing traders and what governments, businesses and international partners should do to ease commerce.
Hassan said Somalia wanted to make it easier for Somali traders to conduct business across borders, access neighbouring markets and move goods more freely.
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He said the meeting was a technical consultation, with further discussions expected before a ministerial-level regional meeting planned for September in Addis Ababa.
The September meeting is expected to bring together five countries: Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti and South Sudan.
Hassan said Somalia would continue working to ensure Somali traders can operate more freely and safely in neighbouring countries, while also addressing obstacles linked to border trade, investment and market access.