Somalia Parliament Approves the 2026 National Budget

 

Mogadishu, December 23, 2025 — Members of both houses of the Federal Parliament of Somalia on Tuesday held a joint session in Mogadishu, during which they officially approved the National Budget for the year 2026. The approved budget amounts to $1,386,807,242, making it one of the largest national budgets adopted by the country in recent years.

The joint parliamentary session was attended by a significant number of lawmakers and focused on reviewing the key components of the proposed budget before proceeding to a final vote. The Chairperson of the Joint Budget Committee of the two chambers, MP Abdi Warsame Qowdhan, presented the third and final reading of the budget report. In his presentation, he outlined the main pillars on which the 2026 budget is based and explained the priorities set by the government for the coming fiscal year.

According to MP Qowdhan, the 2026 National Budget places strong emphasis on strengthening national security, improving public services such as health and education, enhancing domestic revenue generation, and reinforcing the capacity of federal institutions to effectively deliver their constitutional responsibilities. He noted that the budget was prepared after careful consideration of Somalia’s current economic situation, ongoing security challenges, and humanitarian needs.

Following extensive deliberations, lawmakers proceeded to a vote. The results showed that 174 members voted in favor of the budget, four members voted against it, while one member abstained. The Speaker of the House of the People, Sheikh Aden Mohamed Nur (Sheikh Aden Madoobe), officially announced the results, confirming that the 2026 National Budget had been duly approved in accordance with parliamentary procedures.

A key feature of the newly approved budget is the allocation of funds specifically dedicated to drought management and emergency response. Members of Parliament and the Budget Committee warned that Somalia could face a severe drought similar to the devastating one experienced in 2011 if the upcoming rainy seasons fail. As a result, lawmakers stressed the importance of preparedness and early intervention to mitigate the potential humanitarian impact.

The Parliamentary Budget Committee revealed that the Ministry of Finance proposed directing these funds toward addressing emergency situations arising from drought, including humanitarian relief, support for displaced communities, and strengthening disaster response mechanisms. MP Mohamed Haruun Abdullahi, a member of the Parliamentary Finance Committee, stated that only $2.2 million has been specifically allocated for drought management. He added that the funds will be administered by a special committee tasked with overseeing drought-related interventions and ensuring proper use of the allocated resources.

The approval of the 2026 National Budget is widely seen as a significant step toward reinforcing Somalia’s financial governance and institutional stability. It reflects a level of political consensus within the Federal Parliament and signals the government’s intention to address both development priorities and pressing humanitarian risks.

As the budget moves into the implementation phase, attention will now turn to how effectively the allocated funds are utilized. Observers emphasize that transparency, accountability, and efficient execution will be critical to ensuring that the 2026 budget delivers tangible benefits to the Somali people and contributes to long-term stability and development across the country.