Somalia’s Council of Ministers has approved the 2026 Budget Quota Regulation during its weekly session chaired by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre. The Cabinet also ratified two international agreements: a memorandum of understanding with Qatar to strengthen security cooperation and another with Uganda on migration management. Ministers reviewed national defense updates and commended the Somali Armed Forces for their recent operations against the militant group Al-Shabab.

Nearly 42% of the African Development Bank’s (AfDB) projects in Somalia have been red-flagged for delays, according to internal portfolio reports obtained by The EastAfrican. The review found 42% of the bank’s 22 initiatives behind schedule, exceeding AfDB’s 25% target. Officials cited site inaccessibility, slow payments, and capacity gaps as key factors. The bank pledged reforms to improve performance amid graft allegations and management challenges affecting aid delivery.

Somalia’s Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) held a high-level meeting on the World Bank-supported Catastrophe Deferred Drawdown Option (Cat DDO) project, chaired by Commissioner Mahamuud Moallim Abdulle. The discussion focused on strengthening the government’s ability to manage natural disasters and respond swiftly to emergencies. Officials said the initiative will build national resilience, improve coordination among agencies, and enhance preparedness amid declining humanitarian funding.

Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre inaugurated the Somalia Internet Governance Forum 2025 (SIGF) in Mogadishu, reaffirming the government’s commitment to expanding digital access and secure internet governance. The event, now in its third edition, brings together government, private sector, and civil society to shape national digital policy. Somalia’s internet penetration stands at 10.9%, with Starlink and mobile networks expected to expand connectivity despite affordability challenges.

Somalia’s growing economy and entry into the East African Community (EAC) are creating new trade opportunities, but complex regional regulations still hinder small exporters. UNDP is helping streamline trade through partnerships with EAC, COMESA, IGAD, and AfCFTA, harmonizing customs and improving digital infrastructure. Initiatives like the Resilience Impact Fund for the Horn of Africa (RIFHA) aim to de-risk investment and empower Somali entrepreneurs, especially women and youth-led SMEs.

The Somali Stock Exchange and Nairobi Securities Exchange will co-host the East Africa Islamic Finance Forum 2025 in Nairobi on December 2–3. The event aims to advance Shariah-compliant and ethical finance, fostering regional cooperation and investment ties with Middle Eastern markets. Organized amid rapid growth in Islamic finance, the forum will explore ways to mobilize halal capital, strengthen regulatory frameworks, and expand financial inclusion across East Africa.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has urged a systemic overhaul of Somali politics, calling for a shift from personality-driven governance to stable, institutional leadership. Speaking at the 25th anniversary of the Arta Reconciliation Conference in Djibouti, he emphasized that enduring institutions, not individuals, must guide Somalia’s future. Mohamud said this transformation is vital for constitutional reforms and achieving a universal “one person, one vote” system to ensure lasting political stability.

A suspected piracy attempt prompted fresh security concerns in Somali waters after four individuals approached the chemical tanker Stolt Sagaland approximately 332 nautical miles east of Mogadishu on November 3. The ship’s security personnel prevented the boarding attempt. Following the incident, EU Naval Force Atalanta raised the regional threat level and noted the importance of continued coordination between Somali authorities and international partners to protect maritime routes.

Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre made an unannounced visit to the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) center in Mogadishu after viral photos showed women sleeping outside to obtain ID cards. Calling the situation “unacceptable and unsafe,” he directed officials to expand operations and increase staffing to ease congestion. NIRA apologized and pledged extended hours as Somalia accelerates its national ID rollout under broader digital governance reforms.