NAIROBI: The Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs has intensified efforts to accelerate the rollout of its flagship social protection programme, Baxnaano, through a week‑long coordination mission with international partners in Nairobi. The initiative, which brought together government officials, the World Bank, and the World Food Programme (WFP), focused on refining delivery mechanisms, tackling operational challenges, and expanding cash‑transfer support to vulnerable households.
Labour Minister Prof. Salim Aliyow Ibrow, who opened the session, underscored that Baxnaano remains central to Somalia’s strategy for broadening social protection and assisting families hit by poverty and climate‑related shocks. Officials from the World Bank and the Baxnaano programme highlighted the initiative’s increasing significance, noting its role in providing safety nets for communities affected by economic hardship and recurring droughts.
Director General Mohamed Saney Dalmar acknowledged the progress made to date and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to sustaining and scaling up the programme. Participants also explored ways to improve service provision and inter‑agency coordination as Somalia continues to build resilient social protection systems with the support of its international partners.
Strengthening the National Safety Net
Launched in 2019 with support from the World Bank, Baxnaano is Somalia’s first national safety‑net programme, providing nutrition‑linked cash transfers to the poorest and most vulnerable households. The government’s move to Phase 2 marks a shift from donor‑driven to nationally‑led implementation, with a renewed focus on “shock‑responsive” protection that can swiftly address the impacts of climate‑related and economic shocks.
The World Bank Country Manager for Somalia, Kristina Svensson, has praised the transition, stating that “social protection is a cornerstone for Somalia’s development and resilience.” She also commended the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs for assuming full leadership of the programme’s second phase, noting that the government’s capacity to drive this next chapter is a sign of growing institutional strength.
The acceleration of Baxnaano’s rollout aligns with broader national and global frameworks. Six months after co‑chairing a landmark meeting in London, Somalia and the United Kingdom unveiled a global agenda to anchor social protection as a foundation for peace and recovery in fragile and conflict‑affected nations. The Catalytic Agenda, launched in Doha, calls for greater investment in adaptive social protection systems that not only respond to immediate shocks but also strengthen long‑term recovery and trust between citizens and the state.
In Somalia, where millions still face food insecurity and displacement, Baxnaano represents a vital tool for breaking cycles of dependency and instability. The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs has also launched a National Job Portal (jobs.gov.so) to tackle unemployment and drive economic growth, complementing the safety‑net approach with efforts to create sustainable livelihoods, especially for young people.
The coordination mission in Nairobi marks a decisive step toward embedding social protection into Somalia’s long‑term development strategy, ensuring that vulnerable communities receive timely support while the government strengthens its ownership of these essential programmes.
