Somalia and Saudi Arabia strengthened cooperation in transport and aviation following talks in Riyadh between Somali Transport Minister Mohamed Farah Nuh and his Saudi counterpart Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser. The ministers discussed establishing direct flights, enhancing logistics, and expanding trade routes to facilitate the movement of goods and people. Both sides agreed to form a joint technical committee to oversee new initiatives and explore investment opportunities in aviation and infrastructure.

Rwanda and Somalia have signed a General Cooperation Agreement to enhance bilateral ties and expand collaboration across trade, education, ICT, and agriculture. The deal, signed in Kigali by Foreign Ministers Olivier Nduhungirehe and Abdisalam Abdi Ali, establishes a Joint Permanent Commission to oversee implementation and identify new areas of partnership. Both nations emphasized mutual respect, Pan-African solidarity, and cooperation in international forums to promote regional peace, stability, and shared prosperity.

Somalia’s Minister of Communications and Technology, Mohamed Adan Maalim, met with top telecom executives to strengthen public-private collaboration and accelerate the country’s digital economy. Discussions at the Mogadishu headquarters centered on enhancing service quality, regulatory frameworks, and infrastructure investment to expand national connectivity. The Minister highlighted digital transformation as a key growth driver, reaffirming government support for technology innovation and sustainable sector expansion through improved coordination with private operators.

Somalia’s national carrier, Somali Airlines, will resume operations before the end of 2025, according to Transport Minister Mohamed Farah Nuuh. The government has acquired two Airbus A320 aircraft and completed key preparations for the relaunch, marking the airline’s return after more than 30 years. The revival forms part of Somalia’s aviation modernization plan, which includes airport renovations and infrastructure upgrades to meet international standards and strengthen the country’s air transport network.

Somalia and China held a high-level roundtable in Mogadishu to strengthen bilateral cooperation under the theme “Mutual Support and Joint Efforts.” Organized by the Chinese Embassy, the meeting brought together Somali ministers, officials, and scholars to explore economic and development partnerships. Discussions focused on enhancing trade, investment, and social development through China’s zero-tariff policy and technical support, marking 64 years of diplomatic relations and reaffirming both nations’ commitment to shared growth.

Somalia’s economy and tax revenues have declined following the closure of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), according to Somali Development and Reconstruction Bank president Hodan Osman. Speaking at the Financial Times Africa Summit in London, Osman said the aid cut severely affected GDP, sales tax revenues, and overall economic activity. USAID had supported Somalia’s health, education, and development sectors before being shuttered earlier this year.

Somalia’s worsening drought and conflict have displaced thousands and left over 3.4 million people in crisis-level hunger, according to the latest IPC analysis. CARE Somalia warns that declining funding may force it to scale down aid operations from October 2025, even as needs grow. Women and girls face the greatest hardship, losing access to education and protection as food insecurity and malnutrition rise across drought-hit and conflict-affected communities.

Analysts warned Somalia faces renewed tension as President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud pushes electoral reforms ahead of 2026 polls. Critics, including leaders in Puntland and Jubaland, accused him of seeking to extend his rule, while supporters said the changes aim to expand voter participation. Observers cautioned that the dispute risks delaying elections and destabilizing fragile state-building progress as Al-Shabaab regains ground and donors grow impatient.

Somaliland President Dr. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi (Irro) inaugurated the 7th National Technology Expo in Hargeisa, pledging continued investment in innovation and digital transformation. He stated that Somaliland’s independence is “final and irreversible” and called for peaceful relations with Somalia. Irro outlined plans to make Somaliland a regional tech hub and announced a Presidential Award for Technological Innovation to encourage youth-driven development.