Hargeisa (SLpost) – The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development of the Republic of Somaliland, in collaboration with the Ministry of Water Development and UNICEF Somaliland, has presented the findings of a comprehensive budget review assessing public expenditure on the country’s water and sanitation sector.
The review, unveiled during a stakeholder meeting held at the Ambassador Hotel in Hargeisa, examined the level of government investment in water and sanitation services and evaluated whether budget allocations have translated into measurable improvements in service delivery.
Officials said the assessment is intended to strengthen evidence-based budgeting and improve financial planning for future fiscal years by ensuring that public resources are directed toward priority development needs.
Opening the meeting, Mohamed Hassan Suleiman, Director General of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, described the review as part of the government’s broader efforts to enhance public financial management and promote greater accountability in the use of national resources.
He said the initiative aims to ensure that public funds are allocated efficiently, effectively, and in line with Somaliland’s long-term development priorities.
The meeting also featured remarks from Abdishakour Ismail Hussein, Director General of the Ministry of Water Development, and the Head of UNICEF Somaliland’s Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Programme.
The officials emphasized the importance of using reliable research and evidence to guide decisions on financing and expanding water and sanitation services. They noted that data-driven planning is essential for improving service quality, increasing access to safe water and sanitation, and maximizing the impact of public investment.
Participants reviewed the study’s findings and discussed how the recommendations could help improve budget planning, expenditure efficiency, and resource allocation across the sector.
According to organizers, the budget review forms part of a broader partnership between the Somaliland government and development partners aimed at strengthening fiscal transparency, improving the effectiveness of public spending, and ensuring that investments in the water and sanitation sector respond to the needs of communities while supporting the country’s wider development agenda.
The initiative reflects Somaliland’s continued efforts to modernize public financial management and reinforce evidence-based policymaking in key public service sectors, with water and sanitation remaining central to public health, sustainable development, and economic resilience.
Reporting by Somalilandpost News
