Kenya’s miraa exports to Somalia fell 16.9%  in the first half of 2025, dropping to 1.7 million kilograms as competition from Ethiopian suppliers and Somali restrictions disrupted trade, according to the Agriculture and Food Authority. Exporters say Ethiopia is expanding its market share in Somalia, long Kenya’s primary destination. Kenya is now diversifying exports, including a new deal with Djibouti, though traders warn the sector remains vulnerable to political shifts and regional rivalry.

Somalia’s Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre has laid the foundation stone for the new National Agricultural Research Institute, a World Bank–funded project aimed at improving agricultural science and long-term food security. The center, to be completed in 12 months, will include laboratories, training units and research facilities under the Ministry of Agriculture. Barre said the institute will help boost domestic food production, while officials noted it will rebuild national research capacity weakened by decades of conflict.

Mogadishu Port has begun operating 24 hours a day after years of halting activity at 6 PM due to security concerns. Ports Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur Jama said improved security now allows uninterrupted nighttime operations, which will ease congestion, speed maritime services, and boost government revenue. The decision, supported by senior federal leaders, forms part of a wider strategy to modernize Somalia’s ports. Officials say extended hours will expand cargo-handling capacity and strengthen the port’s economic role.

Somalia and Turkey have moved to deepen economic cooperation in the fisheries sector, a key contributor to Somalia’s blue economy. Minister Ahmed Hassan Aden and Turkish Ambassador Alper Aktaş discussed expanding investment in fisheries development, modernizing marine resource management, and accelerating existing bilateral agreements. Turkey pledged advanced vocational training and university-level programs to build a skilled workforce for the sector. The meeting highlights growing economic ties and efforts to strengthen Somalia’s fisheries industry and exports.

Somalia’s Finance Minister Bihi Iman Egeh says a sharp drop in global development assistance has weakened the country’s economic outlook, lowering projected growth from 4% in 2024 to about 1% in 2025. He told CNBC Arabia that reduced donor funding is increasing pressure on limited domestic revenues despite recent gains from tax digitization and financial reforms. Egeh said Somalia still relies on international support as it expands its budget and channels more resources into social programs.

The United Nations Development Programme and the Hormuud Salaam Foundation have launched an 18-month initiative to tackle youth unemployment and expand opportunities in Somalia’s green and blue economy. The program will support 2,000 young people and 360 SMEs through training, business incubation, access to finance and digital job-matching tools. Officials said the partnership aligns with Somalia’s national development goals and strengthens local capacity for renewable energy, fisheries, aquaculture and digital enterprise growth.

Somaliland enforced new airspace authorization rules, requiring all aircraft to seek clearance before entering or crossing its skies. Officials in Hargeisa said upgraded radar systems allowed controllers to communicate directly with pilots and divert non-compliant flights. The development came as Somalia dealt with a major E-Visa data breach that exposed sensitive documents belonging to foreign nationals. The incident raised cybersecurity concerns and led analysts to call for stronger digital-governance safeguards in the region.

Somalia’s Immigration and Citizenship Agency has confirmed that hackers breached its electronic visa system, exposing sensitive data of travelers, as the United States and the United Kingdom issue security warnings. At least 35,000 people may be affected, according to the US Embassy. Authorities said they are investigating the breach’s scale and origin after the government quietly shifted the portal to a new domain. The incident has intensified tensions amid ongoing disputes over sovereignty and airspace.

Somalia’s Parliament has begun formal deliberations on the proposed 2026 national budget, valued at $1.37 billion, after completing its first reading. Deputy Finance Minister Abdiqafaar Elmi Hange said the plan introduces an Activity-Based Budgeting system linking expenditures to specific programs and results. The proposal relies heavily on external grants totaling $828 million. Some MPs criticized the limited consultation, but committees will now review the draft before a second reading and expect approval.