Somali Affairs
Somalia poised to lead horn of africa Initiative
February 24, 2025
12
Min
In a historic move, Somalia is set to take over the leadership of the Horn of Africa Initiative (HOAI) from Ethiopia in April 2025. This announcement came from the 23rd Ministerial Meeting of the Initiative, held in Addis Ababa, a gathering that marks a pivotal moment in the region's trajectory. The decision reflects not just a change of leadership but also the growing recognition of Somalia's pivotal role in the region’s economic and political landscape.
The Horn of Africa Initiative, established in 2019, is a multi-national framework designed to promote regional economic integration, trade, infrastructure development, and human capital across seven Horn of Africa countries: Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya, Eritrea, Sudan, and South Sudan. The initiative aims to create a unified platform for addressing shared challenges while harnessing collective potential for prosperity and security.
Somalia's Finance Minister, Bihi Iman Igeh, echoed the significance of this transition, emphasising that the country’s leadership will center around securing critical investments to drive economic growth in the region. The importance of this moment cannot be understated. As the country emerges from decades of instability, the handover of leadership to Somalia signals a shift toward a more inclusive and future-focused vision for the Horn of Africa. The region has long been burdened by challenges, but it also stands on the precipice of transformative change.
The upcoming leadership transition comes after Ethiopia's successful stewardship of the initiative, during which the country helped secure vital funding for large-scale infrastructure projects and regional cooperation. Ethiopia's two-year leadership was marked by a focus on practical, measurable goals aimed at bridging gaps in infrastructure and trade across the Horn. Now, Somalia is expected to build upon this foundation, expanding its influence across the region.
What sets this moment apart is the level of international support backing the Horn of Africa Initiative. The African Development Bank, the World Bank, and other global financial institutions have pledged to support the project, further solidifying the initiative’s potential as a game-changer for regional economies. This international backing is essential, as it underscores the belief that sustainable economic growth in the Horn can only be achieved through a united effort involving both local leadership and global partnerships.
For Somalia, leading the initiative is not just a matter of taking on a regional leadership role but also an opportunity to steer the Horn of Africa toward greater cooperation. The recent meeting in Addis Ababa also highlighted the continued engagement of the European Union, which remains committed to the vision of regional economic integration. The EU’s support focuses on infrastructure development, human capital enhancement, and fostering trade relationships across the region.
This broad network of international stakeholders reinforces the idea that Somalia’s leadership role will not stand alone but will be woven into a larger framework of regional and global collaboration. This is an opportunity for Somalia to bridge the divide between its aspirations and its potential, using the initiative as a platform for deeper integration with its neighbours and the world at large.
The next meeting of the Horn of Africa Initiative is set to take place in Washington, D.C., USA, in a step that reflects the growing importance of the region on the global stage. This is not just a technical shift of leadership—it is a profound turning point, signalling that the Horn of Africa is being recognized not only as a region of potential but as one of rising influence.
Somalia’s leadership over the initiative will require deft political manoeuvring, pragmatic economic planning, and a vision that is inclusive of both the aspirations of its people and the needs of its neighbours. There will be challenges, of course, but in these challenges lie immense opportunities. Somalia has often been misunderstood, but in this moment, it has a chance to rewrite its narrative.
It’s a narrative of possibility, of leadership rising from the ashes, of nations coming together for a greater common good. This is Somalia's time, not just to lead but to help chart a new course for a region long in need of unity and shared prosperity. It’s time to stop looking back at the scars of the past and start looking forward to the potential of what can be.
This is more than just political leadership; it’s about economic empowerment, collective security, and a vision of a unified Horn of Africa that can weather the storms of the future together. As Somalia prepares to take the helm, the world should watch closely, for this is a moment of transformation that could define the next chapter for East Africa and beyond.
