Somalia is continuing to make progress towards reaching the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative Completion Point by end of the calendar year 2023, following re-engagement with the International Development Association (IDA) and the clearance of arrears to International Financial Institutions. Currently, Somalia is in the HIPC interim period and all HIPC Completion Point legislative reforms have passed through both houses of Parliament and negotiations with creditors are in the process of being concluded. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded their 6th review of the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) program from September 11 - 21, 2023 jointly with discussions on a new IMF-supported Program, this is the last review ahead of the Completion Point (CP). On reaching the (CP), Somalia will qualify for full and irrevocable debt relief, which could reduce the debt-to-GDP ratio from 41% in 2022 to 6%, meaning that debt is sustainable in a forward-looking sense, contingent on the full delivery of HIPC, Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative, and beyond-HIPC assistance. Somalia must continue maintaining macroeconomic stability, come to an agreement with all creditors, and must implement its ninth National Development Plan (NDP9).
Political relations in the region are experiencing dynamic change, with new opportunities for Somalia to benefit from trade and regional integration as it prepares to become the eighth member of the East African Community. As Somalia moves out of fragility, it needs to gradually transition from relying on humanitarian aid to sustainable development approaches.
Throughout 2022, and for five consecutive seasons, poor rains put the country in severe drought conditions surpassing the 2010–2011 and 2016–2017 droughts in terms of duration, severity, and scale. The number of people suffering from food insecurity and needing humanitarian assistance grew to 8.3 million people in the country (over 50%) and displaced over 2 million people from their homes in search of water, food, and pasture. Grants including social safety net programs (mainly targeted to rural poor/vulnerable households) and remittances are helping to mitigate the humanitarian crisis. In 2022, partners mobilized more than $1.5 billion in relief.
Economic Development
As Somalia continues to rebuild economic governance institutions, it has several opportunities—rapid urbanization, the growing use of digital technologies, planned investments in energy, ports, education, and health—so building resilience to shocks is a priority to support economic growth and job creation. However, severe drought, rising food prices, falling exports, and slowing growth in remittances are preventing the economy from sustaining a modest rebound.
Amid repeated shocks, growth in GDP averaged only 2% from 2013 to 2020. Owing to the multiple crises, GDP contracted by 0.2% in 2020. GDP growth recovered to 2.9% in 2021 but is projected to have fallen to 1.7% in 2022 under the regional drought and worsening global economic conditions. GDP growth is forecast to rebound to 2.8% in 2023 and 3.7% in 2024.
Implementing reforms that can support Somalia in reaching the HIPC Completion Point will be critical for rebuilding human capital, strengthening institutions, and fostering an environment for inclusive, private-sector-led growth.
Last Updated: Sep 19, 2023