Bank of Somaliland Strengthens Economic Research Team with Appointment of International Economist
Hargeisa (SLpost)- The Bank of Somaliland has strengthened its Monetary Policy and Research team through the appointment of Bermudian economist Ywione Darrell, who will serve at the central bank under the prestigious Overseas Development Institute (ODI) Fellowship Scheme from 2026 to 2028.
The appointment provides Somaliland’s central banking institution with access to international economic expertise at a time when strengthening monetary policy, improving economic research and addressing financial-sector challenges remain important priorities for the country’s economy.
Darrell’s two-year placement will focus on supporting the Bank’s Monetary Policy and Research team, contributing to economic analysis and working alongside local professionals to strengthen the institution’s research and policy capabilities.
According to a report published by Bermuda-based news outlet Bernews on November 5, 2026, Darrell was selected for the internationally competitive ODI Fellowship Programme, which places qualified economists and statisticians in public institutions across developing economies.
What the appointment means for Somaliland’s economy
For Somaliland, the appointment comes amid continuing economic challenges, including exchange-rate pressures, dependence on imported goods, inflation and the need to strengthen domestic financial institutions.
The Bank of Somaliland plays a central role in maintaining monetary stability, regulating the financial sector and supporting the development of the country’s banking system.
Strengthening its research capacity is particularly important for an economy where evidence-based monetary policy and reliable economic data can help inform decisions on inflation, currency stability and broader economic management.
Darrell is expected to contribute technical expertise and international economic research experience while working with the Bank’s existing team. His placement also offers an opportunity for knowledge-sharing and professional collaboration with Somaliland’s local economists and financial experts.
International expertise in small economies
Darrell’s academic and professional background includes specialised research into the economic challenges facing small, open economies.
He holds a Master of Science in Economics for Development from the University of Oxford, graduating with Merit. His dissertation examined whether Bermuda’s growing international business sector had contributed to economic effects associated with the Dutch disease phenomenon.
The research explored how the expansion of a dominant economic sector can affect other industries and the distribution of economic benefits.
His interest in these issues is also informed by his experience growing up in Bermuda, a small island economy that faced significant economic pressures following the 2008 global financial crisis.
Darrell has previously worked as a macroeconomics consultant, undertaking economic forecasting and research into income inequality. He also serves as Co-Chief Editor of the Bermuda Journal of Academic Research.
His experience studying small economies could offer useful perspectives for Somaliland as it works to strengthen its economic institutions, diversify its productive sectors and address structural vulnerabilities.
Two-year placement under the ODI Fellowship
The Overseas Development Institute Fellowship Scheme, established in 1963, provides opportunities for early-career economists and statisticians to work within public institutions in low- and middle-income countries.
The programme places fellows in government institutions for two years, enabling them to contribute technical expertise while gaining practical experience in economic policy and public-sector development.
More than 1,300 fellows have participated in the programme over its history, according to Bernews.
Darrell said he was honoured to have been selected and expressed his appreciation to those who supported his professional development. He also highlighted the importance of working in a central bank serving a distinctive economic environment.
“Small open economies with limited buffers are often where good economic analysis matters most,” he said in a LinkedIn post.
For Somaliland, the placement represents an opportunity to strengthen institutional research capacity and deepen the exchange of international economic expertise within its central banking system.
Building on ongoing financial-sector reforms
Darrell’s appointment comes as the Bank of Somaliland advances a broader programme of institutional reforms and international cooperation aimed at modernising the country’s financial system.
In July 2026, the Central Bank moved forward with the implementation of a Risk-Based Supervision (RBS) framework, introducing new financial supervisory guidelines designed to strengthen regulatory oversight and improve the stability of Somaliland’s banking sector.
Also the Central Bank strengthened its international financial cooperation through an agreement with Taiwan’s Central Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC). On August 31, 2026, the two institutions had agreed on a one-year implementation plan following their Memorandum of Understanding signed in June.
The cooperation focuses on developing the technical, legal and institutional foundations of a deposit insurance system for Somaliland. Its priority areas include technical assistance, regulatory development, staff training, knowledge exchange and institutional capacity building.
These initiatives reflect the Central Bank’s efforts to strengthen financial stability, improve banking supervision and build greater confidence in Somaliland’s financial institutions.
Darrell’s appointment to the Monetary Policy and Research team offers an additional opportunity to reinforce the Bank’s economic research and analytical capabilities. Stronger research capacity could support the implementation and evaluation of financial-sector reforms, while helping policymakers better understand the country’s monetary and economic challenges.
