Somalia

The EU and Somalia are working together to strengthen state institutions, enhance governance, promote reconciliation and justice, foster human rights and ensure long-term stability and peacebuilding. Actions focus on: 

• Supporting the State and Reform Building to improve state capacity, public services, and education and training systems, as well as strengthening the fight against illicit financial flows.
• Strengthening inclusive governance by promoting citizen participation and state legitimacy, reinforcing the social contract between the government and communities, while supporting political dialogue and reconciliation through cooperation between federal, regional, and local authorities.
• Advocating for reconciliation and justice by improving access to justice, expanding accountable police services, and strengthening security institutions through inclusive, gender-sensitive approaches.
• Supporting nationwide stabilisation, rehabilitation of critical infrastructure and security in liberated areas.
• Enhancing maritime and port security in the Southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden region. 

A strong civil society, independent media, and youth engagement are key to governance, social cohesion, and peacebuilding. Our efforts focus on: 

• Enhancing resilience against disinformation and promoting independent media and access to information.
• Improving the environment for CSOs to advocate for equality for marginalised groups, dialogue for peace and reconciliation in Somalia.
• Strengthening parliamentary oversight and citizen participation.
• Empowering youth through engagement, education and social/cultural initiatives for reconciliation. 

Investing in education, social protection, and gender equality is key to building a more inclusive and resilient country. In partnership with Somalia, the EU is supporting livelihood opportunities, quality education, and the empowerment of women and youth. These efforts aim to expand access to essential services, improve employment prospects, and ensure greater inclusion of vulnerable communities: 

• Enhancing livelihood resilience by delivering social transfers to pregnant and lactating women, improving healthcare services, and supporting income-generating activities.
• Promoting gender equality by strengthening women’s economic and social empowerment.
• Expanding access to quality education by supporting education reform, vocational training, and employability programmes, particularly for girls, internally displaced persons (IDPs), refugees, and pastoralist communities.
• Strengthening educational mobility and qualifications through Erasmus+ participation and the African Continental Qualifications Framework. 

The EU is supporting Somalia in strengthening migration governance, border management, and durable solutions for displaced communities through regional cooperation and reintegration programmes. The main focus is on: 

• Improving migration governance and addressing irregular migration challenges through the Better Migration Management (BMM) Programme.
• Enhancing borderland resilience by promoting peacebuilding and sustainable practices in cross-border regions.
• Supporting reintegration and referral systems to help returnees rebuild their lives.
• Developing climate-conscious durable solutions for displaced populations in urban centres and improving data collection on migration.
• Improving food security and livelihoods for displaced persons, women, and youth.
• Ensuring migrant protection, safe return, and reintegration, also through regional initiatives. 

Partnering with Somalia, the EU is supporting agriculture, fisheries, and renewable energy, while protecting biodiversity and marine ecosystems. Our actions include: 

• Enhancing agri-food systems through better infrastructure, training, financial access, and renewable energy.
• Rehabilitating 350 km of irrigation canals along the Shabelle and Juba rivers to boost crop yields and strengthen value chains like sesame and sorghum.
• Revitalising fisheries and livestock to create jobs and improve food security.
• Restoring degraded land and expanding tree-based value chains under the Great Green Wall initiative.
• Protecting marine biodiversity and combating illegal fishing to promote a sustainable blue economy in the Western Indian Ocean. 

Through the Team Europe Initiative Green Deal, the EU is supporting renewable energy investments, climate-smart solutions, and cross-border energy cooperation. Together with Somalia, we aim at: 

• Strengthening energy systems to provide reliable and low-carbon electricity while enhancing climate adaptation.
• Improving vocational training and regulatory frameworks to promote a greener economy. 

Attracting investment and fostering private sector growth are key to Somalia’s economic recovery and long-term stability. Our efforts focus on: 

• Enhancing financial governance and transparency to facilitate debt relief and investment.
• Improving the business environment to support green economic development and investment climate reforms.
• Boosting entrepreneurship and micro, small and medium enterprises through business incubators and trade cooperation.
• Strengthening trade and investment links via the EU Somali Investment, Trade, and Business Platform. 

Improving regional connectivity and road infrastructure is essential for trade and mobility. The EU is supporting corridor development and road management to enhance transport efficiency: 

• Developing the corridor Dar es Salaam – Nairobi – Addis Ababa – Berbera/Djibouti, to strengthen trade routes.
• Improving road infrastructure and management through technical assistance and capacity building under the Somalia Regional Corridors Infrastructure Programme. 

The EU and Somalia are working together to expand broadband access, improve connectivity, and support digital innovation. Investments in fiber optic infrastructure and data centres aim to strengthen Somalia’s digital economy and regional integration: 

• Strengthening fiber optic connectivitywith the 2Africa submarine cable system and a 2 000 km fibre backbone, including a link to Ethiopia.
• Supporting the development of open-access data centres and digital infrastructure to boost connectivity and innovation. 

The EU and Somalia are also working together to address urgent humanitarian needs. Support focuses on food aid, healthcare, clean water, protection, shelter, and education, ensuring essential services reach the most vulnerable populations.  

Through this partnership, aid organisations can deliver lifesaving interventions and strengthen community resilience in response to ongoing humanitarian challenges.