London (Dawan Africa) – Somalia’s Federal Minister of Finance, Biixi Imaan Cige, was named African Finance Minister of the Year 2025 in London by African Leadership Magazine during the annual Africa Summit conference on Wednesday.
The award recognizes Minister Cige’s leadership over the past two years in advancing Somalia’s financial systems. Notable achievements include the successful debt relief secured in 2023, the modernization of revenue collection methods, and improvements in financial transparency and accountability.
African Leadership Magazine highlighted that these efforts enabled Somalia to secure donor funding without accumulating new loans, which contributed significantly to Minister Cige’s recognition as a leading financial figure in Africa. The award is part of the magazine’s African Business Leadership Awards, which honor outstanding leaders across the continent.
In his acceptance speech, Minister Biixi Imaan Cige expressed his gratitude to the Somali people and the business community, whom he described as the backbone of the country’s economic recovery. "The real success and this award belong to the Somali people, who are the foundation of economic development and recovery. I also commend the country’s business sector for their courage in rebuilding the nation despite many challenges," said Minister Cige.
Founded in 2008 in the UK, African Leadership Magazine focuses on promoting good governance and economic development across Africa.
This award underscores the Somali government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen financial management and improve governance through reconstruction and stabilization after years of conflict.
