By Abdullahi Salad - Reporter
Loading article content...
Loading article content...
MOGADISHU, 26 Oct 2026 — The Somali government is pursuing a policy that would require traders who import goods to first invest in farming, livestock or fishing, Agriculture Minister Mohamed Abdi Hayir said on Monday.
Hayir was speaking at Somalia’s National Fisheries Week.
He said anyone who imports goods should first enter the production sector, so they can later stop importing what is needed today and become a source of income for the country.
He said agriculture, livestock and fishing provide people with reliable, nutritious food produced at home. He added that the production sector is the only source of income for the country apart from money sent by the diaspora, and that strengthening it is a duty.
Related articles
The minister criticised traders who take cash out of the country and bring back goods he described as “rubbish.” He said such traders should be brought under control and that the government was working on the issue.
Somalia relies heavily on imported goods. According to Central Bank of Somalia data, the country imported goods worth $7.30 billion in 2025 and exported $1.26 billion.
Livestock is Somalia’s main export, accounting for about 73% of goods exports, worth $923 million.
Diaspora remittances are the main source of money flowing into the country and help pay for imports. The central bank recorded $3.1 billion in personal remittances in 2025, equal to 24% of gross domestic product.