Somalia Approves Trade Bill, Advances Secure E-Passport Reforms

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Somalia’s cabinet has approved a draft Rules of Origin bill and reviewed progress on introducing a third-generation electronic passport, two measures aimed at boosting regional trade and strengthening the credibility of the country’s travel documents.

The decisions were made during the Council of Ministers’ weekly meeting chaired by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre Thursday, as the government pressed ahead with reforms to modernise public administration and support economic integration.

The Rules of Origin bill, submitted by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, establishes the legal framework for determining whether products qualify as Somali under regional and continental trade agreements.

Commerce Minister Jamal Mohamed Hassan said the legislation would allow goods containing at least 30% Somali content to qualify for preferential market access where applicable and introduce certificates of origin to verify the provenance of exports.

The measure follows Somalia’s accession to the East African Community and its ratification of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), agreements that are expected to expand market access for Somali producers once the necessary trade regulations are fully implemented.

The cabinet also reviewed the rollout of Somalia’s third-generation polycarbonate electronic passport, which the Ministry of Internal Security said would strengthen document security and simplify passport issuance.

The ministry told ministers it had ended the practice of altering personal information in issued passports, a step officials said was intended to improve the integrity and international recognition of Somali travel documents.

Prime Minister Hamza urged ministers and senior government officials to use Somali passports during official travel, saying doing so would reinforce confidence in the country’s national documents. He also commended Second Deputy Prime Minister Jibril Abdirashid Haji for relinquishing his foreign passport.

Separately, the cabinet amended the membership of the Judicial Service Council, replacing legal expert Ali Macalin with Aadan Kuuloow Macalin Qaasim following a recommendation from the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs. The council plays a constitutional role in overseeing judicial appointments and discipline.

Ministers also reviewed first- and second-quarter performance reports from government ministries and discussed plans to introduce an electronic cabinet management system aimed at improving coordination and monitoring of government decisions.

The meeting comes as Somalia accelerates institutional reforms following debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative and seeks to strengthen governance, expand regional trade and modernise public services. Officials say improving the integrity of travel documents, implementing internationally recognised trade rules and strengthening oversight institutions are key steps in supporting economic growth and enhancing confidence in state institutions.