Somalia's aid system, despite decades of investment, is faltering. With traditional aid budgets shrinking and efficiency demands growing, a new approach is needed to address the country's persistent humanitarian crises. It is time to recognize the role of Somalia’s vibrant private sector, which has successfully stepped in to deliver services where aid programs have faltered,
From building infrastructure to establishing mobile money platforms, Somali businesses and local networks have demonstrated their capacity for speed, resourcefulness, and innovation. By shifting the development focus to blended finance and supporting these local businesses, we can move beyond a broken aid model and build a more resilient, self-sustaining future for Somalia
The need is clear: In Somalia, over 9.1 million people require humanitarian assistance, and 3.4 million face critical hunger. The United States, the United Kingdom, and the EU are all scaling back aid budgets and demanding more efficiency and value for money.
About the author
Abdullahi Nur Osman
Abdullahi Nur Osman is CEO of Hormuud Salaam Foundation, Somalia’s first and largest corporate foundation. Built by Somalis for Somalis, HSF funds and executes a range of impact-led development programs across the country, spanning health care, education, emergency response, and job creation.
