MOGADISHU, Somalia – The Baxnaano social protection program, one of Somalia’s flagship initiatives for poverty reduction and resilience building, has reached a major milestone since its inception in 2019. According to Ms. Fardosa Ahmed Abdullahi, Program Manager, Baxnaano has supported over 547,000 households and impacted more than 3.5 million people across the country.
Speaking at a press briefing in Mogadishu, Ms. Fardosa shared highlights of the program’s journey over the past five years, emphasizing its role in stabilizing vulnerable communities through regular cash transfers and nutritional support.
“Baxnaano has been instrumental in building the foundations of a national social protection system,” said Ms. Fardosa. “We are proud of the progress made and the lives improved through sustained, transparent support mechanisms.”
As the program enters its second phase, it is set to introduce several new interventions. Among the most notable is a youth employment pilot project in Mogadishu aimed at addressing the country’s growing youth unemployment crisis. The pilot targets 10,000 young people and is expected to be rolled out by the end of the year.
“This new pilot will provide training, job placement, and entrepreneurship support to thousands of youth, helping them secure sustainable livelihoods,” she added.
The Baxnaano Program, implemented by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs with support from international partners including the World Bank, continues to play a critical role in strengthening Somalia’s social safety net, especially in times of climate shocks and economic uncertainty.