Nairobi, Kenya — After four days of intense reflection, planning, and collaboration, Somalia’s Ministry of Education, Culture and Higher Education has wrapped up the Mid-Term Review of the Rajo Kaaba Project, marking a crucial checkpoint in one of the country’s most ambitious education reform efforts.
The gathering in Nairobi brought together senior leadership from all Federal Member States, the Banadir Region, the Project Management Unit, federal officials, and the World Bank’s Somalia Education Team. For many participants, it was more than a technical review — it was a moment to take stock of how far the country has come in rebuilding its education system and how much further it hopes to go.
The review was jointly steered by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary and the World Bank’s Task Team Leader, who worked with teams to evaluate progress across several pillars of the multi-year project. Conversations were detailed and often personal, as delegates reflected on the growing demand for higher education opportunities and the changing needs of Somalia’s youth.
Much of the discussion centered on the scholarship programs that have opened doors for thousands of young Somalis pursuing diploma and master’s studies, many of whom are the first in their families to step into higher education. Teams also assessed the expansion of technical and vocational training, an area seen as vital for equipping young people with practical skills that match the country’s evolving job market.
Other sessions focused on curriculum reform and the steady work of building credible systems for quality assurance — efforts that participants described as essential for raising standards nationwide. A consistent thread throughout the review was the push to create more space for women in leadership and to strengthen programs that prepare students for employment, not just graduation.
By the final day, the teams had agreed on a set of action points and timelines to guide the next phase of the project. The roadmap aims to sharpen implementation, accelerate progress, and ensure that institutions across the country are better positioned to support long-term human capital development.
The ministry closed the meeting with gratitude to the World Bank and to all delegates who contributed to the review, underscoring that the momentum built in Nairobi must carry into classrooms, training centers, and universities across Somalia. The Rajo Kaaba Project, participants said, remains a promise — a commitment to building an education system that can sustain national growth and offer young people genuine opportunities for the future.