By Mohamed Abdi - Reporter
Addis Ababa - Somalia urged Horn of Africa countries on Thursday to work toward building a single economic area, as trade ministers from the region met for the first ministerial meeting under the Horn of Africa Initiative.
Somalia's Minister of Commerce and Industry Gamal Mohamed Hassan, who chaired the opening, called for stronger regional economic integration and urged member states to move beyond political commitments to practical measures that would benefit businesses and consumers.
"The goal is a Horn of Africa whose borders are connected economically, rather than divided," Hassan said, according to a statement from Somalia's Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Hassan stressed the importance of approving and implementing the 2026-2031 Regional Trade Facilitation Action Plan, establishing a Regional Trade Facilitation Committee and ensuring member states nominate representatives to the committee on time.
He also called for stronger coordination, adequate financing and greater participation by the private sector to ensure the plan produces measurable results.
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Trade ministers from Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya, South Sudan and Sudan, alongside Somalia, expressed support for the action plan and the proposed committee, the ministry said.
The ministers focused on improving trade corridors, simplifying customs procedures, strengthening links between ports and landlocked countries, modernizing border crossings and expanding digital services.
Germany, speaking on behalf of development partners, reaffirmed support for the regional trade agenda and stressed the importance of country ownership, coordination of technical and financial assistance and a clear implementation mechanism, the ministry said.
The meeting is part of efforts by Horn of Africa countries to reduce trade barriers and improve the movement of goods across borders while strengthening economic links in the region.
The initiative brings together countries facing major challenges, including high transport costs, lengthy customs procedures and weak cross-border infrastructure, which have constrained regional trade.