Somalia Targets $35 Million Investment to Boost Sesame and Fisheries Exports Under 2026–2030 Plan

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Somalia is targeting at least $35 million in new investment in sesame and fisheries as the government moves to strengthen value addition, improve product quality and expand access to domestic, regional and international markets under a new five-year national plan.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has convened a workshop to finalise and validate the 2026–2030 National Plan, which is designed to address bottlenecks that limit the value of Somali agricultural and fisheries products after production.

The plan seeks to strengthen value chains, improve processing and quality standards and establish stronger links between Somali producers and buyers in local and overseas markets.

Under the programme, the government aims to support 300 businesses, establish 80 buyer linkages and create nearly 1,200 jobs, according to the ministry.

The initiative is being supported through the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) of the World Trade Organization, with technical assistance from ESAMI-TRAPCA, a regional trade and investment capacity-building institution.

Value Addition

The plan reflects a broader effort by Somalia to move beyond exporting largely unprocessed commodities and capture more value from the country’s productive sectors.

Sesame is among Somalia’s important agricultural exports, while the country’s long coastline gives it significant potential in fisheries. However, limited processing capacity, quality-control systems, infrastructure, access to finance and connections to international buyers have constrained the sectors’ ability to generate higher export earnings.

Increasing local processing could allow Somali businesses to earn more from the same volume of raw materials while creating employment in areas such as processing, packaging, transportation, storage and marketing.

The fisheries sector has similarly been identified as an area with potential to diversify Somalia’s economy and generate jobs, particularly for coastal communities. Improving cold-chain infrastructure, processing facilities, quality certification and access to international markets will be critical if that potential is to translate into sustained export growth.

Global Markets

The government plans to use the 2026–2030 strategy to strengthen connections between producers and buyers, with 80 buyer linkages targeted over the life of the programme.

That approach could help address one of the challenges facing Somali businesses: producing goods for which reliable markets, quality standards and commercial distribution networks are not always readily available.

The plan’s target of $35 million in new investment also points to an effort to attract private-sector capital into processing and other activities that can increase the value of Somali exports.

If implemented effectively, officials say the programme could help raise incomes, create sustainable employment and strengthen Somalia’s position in regional and international trade.

The initiative comes as Somalia seeks to broaden an economy that remains heavily dependent on imports and external support, while expanding domestic production and export capacity.

For East Africa, stronger Somali agricultural and fisheries value chains could also create opportunities for increased trade with neighbouring markets, particularly as the country seeks deeper integration into regional and international trading systems.

The success of the plan will ultimately depend on implementation, including access to finance, infrastructure, regulatory reforms and the ability of Somali companies to consistently meet the quality and certification requirements of international buyers.