Mogadishu – Somalia has taken a pivotal step toward data-driven decision-making with the official launch of its first-ever National Economic Survey by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Monday.
The landmark initiative seeks to collect comprehensive and reliable data across key economic sectors, including employment, production, trade, and household conditions. Officials say the survey will provide an essential foundation for national planning, social services, and policy formulation — areas that have long suffered from the absence of accurate and up-to-date statistics.
Speaking at the launch, NBS officials emphasized that the survey represents a turning point in Somalia’s journey toward sustainable development and institutional transparency. They noted that government agencies, development partners, and private investors will finally have access to standardized economic indicators, enabling better coordination and informed decision-making.
The survey will be conducted nationwide in collaboration with regional authorities and international partners. Enumerators have been trained to ensure data quality, and digital tools will be utilized to minimize errors and enhance efficiency.
For decades, Somalia has relied heavily on external assessments and fragmented datasets, hindering long-term planning and economic forecasting. The new survey is expected to bridge that gap and align Somalia with global statistical standards.
Government officials hailed the launch as a testament to Somalia’s growing administrative capacity and commitment to accountability. Once completed, the findings will be published publicly and used to shape budgets, development strategies, and poverty reduction programs.
The National Economic Survey is widely seen as a foundational step in building a modern, resilient economy — one informed not by estimates, but by evidence.