Mogadishu, Somalia – The Federal Government of Somalia has officially launched an open bidding process for qualified companies to supply food rations and fuel to the country’s security forces, in a move aimed at promoting transparency, competition, and efficiency in government procurement.
The Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Internal Security jointly announced the tender on Tuesday, inviting both local and international firms with proven logistical capacity and financial credibility to submit bids in accordance with public procurement laws.
According to the ministries, the contracts will cover the provision of essential rations and fuel for the Somali National Army (SNA), police, and other security agencies stationed across the country. The initiative is part of broader efforts to strengthen operational readiness, improve troop welfare, and ensure consistent delivery of vital supplies to frontline personnel combating al-Shabab and other security threats.
“The government is committed to ensuring that our forces receive high-quality and timely support. This open and competitive process will help eliminate inefficiencies, enhance accountability, and ensure value for public funds,” the Ministry of Defense said in a statement.
Officials also emphasized that all bidders must comply with Somalia’s public procurement regulations, submit verifiable documentation, and demonstrate their ability to operate in multiple regions under challenging security conditions.
The open bidding comes amid ongoing reforms within the defense and security sectors, where the government has been working to professionalize logistics systems, reduce corruption risks, and enhance oversight mechanisms with support from international partners.
Analysts view the tender as a positive step toward institutional transparency and improved service delivery.
“Open bidding creates confidence in government processes and ensures fair competition. It’s also a crucial step toward self-reliance in managing national security logistics,” said economic governance expert Abdi Warsame.
Bids will be evaluated through a multi-agency committee, and successful suppliers are expected to begin operations within the next fiscal quarter once contracts are finalized.
The Somali government reaffirmed that the process would be monitored closely to guarantee fairness and accountability, underscoring its commitment to responsible public spending and strengthening the operational backbone of national security institutions.