The African Development Bank has concluded a workshop to launch the design of a National Capacity Development Strategy in Somalia.
The workshop was held from 13-14 December 2023, with the objective of exchanging ideas with the authorities on launching the design of the development strategy initiative, which aims to establish a robust capacity development framework that unifies all development partners, facilitating the efficient pooling of resources for the country's benefit.
The mission was officially opened by Mohamed Hassan Shire, Director General, Federal Government of Somalia Ministry of Planning, Investment and Economic Development and served as a platform to present the project's background, rationale, purpose and expected outcomes.
In his opening remarks, Shire expressed his appreciation to the Bank for its support and emphasized the timeliness of the Capacity Development Strategy, given Somalia's emergence from a protracted conflict. He underscored the historical lack of strong, dynamic, and robust institutions in Somalia, underscoring the particular significance of the ongoing initiative.
Stressing the importance of a focused strategy, Shire emphasized that the strategy should precisely target and address the existing capacity gaps within the government. This strategic emphasis is intended to lay the groundwork for a resilient and proficient governmental structure.
During the workshop, discussions revolved around project institutional arrangements, addressing government concerns related to project delivery, and defining the roles and responsibilities of the various parties involved. Emphasis was given to the establishment of a Capacity Development Strategy as a distinctive framework for collective efforts in supporting Somalia's transformative journey.
The Bank's presentation outlined its overarching goal of providing the nation with a comprehensive capacity-building framework. The discussion delved into the challenges commonly encountered by Somalia in capacity development, along with the Bank's policies crafted to address these challenges. These policies encompass a blend of short, medium, and long-term strategies aimed at achieving expedited disinflation while aligning with the country's needs.
Despite the brief duration of the mission, it proved highly productive, culminating in the adoption of concrete actions and decisions by the government. Agreements were reached on project delivery arrangements, execution roles and responsibilities, timeline, and quality assurance measures for deliverables.
Notably, the government confirmed the nomination of the World Bank Group and the UNDP as the two external members of the National Task Force, showcasing a collaborative spirit.
The Task Force comprises representatives from relevant ministries, institutions, the private sector and civil society, tasked with overseeing the assignment.
During the workshop, the Somali government also reiterated its commitment to the project's success and its keen interest in seeing the project come to fruition.
