PM Barre Calls for Research-Led Development at East African Forum

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Somalia’s Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre has urged East African scholars to take the lead in shaping the region’s future through evidence-based policymaking and research-driven development.

Speaking at the 3rd Scientific Conference of the East African Development Forum, Prime Minister Hamza said Somalia’s national transformation is rooted in institutional reform, public engagement, and strategic planning guided by data and analysis.

“Our country is being directed towards development grounded in research, clearly defined in the National Transformation Plan and Vision 2060,” he said, referring to Somalia’s blueprint for sustainable growth between 2025 and 2029 and the long-term Centennial Vision 2060.

The Prime Minister emphasized that building resilient institutions and aligning policy with rigorous scientific research are critical to Somalia’s state-building journey.

He called on Somali academics and development experts to focus their work on national priorities such as poverty alleviation, climate resilience, education, healthcare reform, and peacebuilding.

“The Somali government has laid out a vision informed by research. It is now up to our scholars and leaders to define where Somalia will stand tomorrow,” he told the audience of policymakers and researchers.

Prime Minister Hamza also highlighted the importance of investing in the country’s youth and natural resources, describing them as key pillars of Somalia’s economic renewal and social transformation.

The regional conference, which convened experts from across East Africa, provided a platform to exchange insights on sustainable development. Somalia’s participation, led by the Prime Minister, signaled the country’s growing commitment to knowledge-based governance and deeper regional collaboration.