Mogadishu, Somalia – Kristina Svensson, the World Bank Country Manager for Somalia, has highlighted the pivotal role of social protection in shaping the nation’s future, as Somalia officially begins Phase 2 of its flagship Baxnaano program.
Svensson extended her appreciation to the World Food Programme (WFP Somalia) and UNICEF Somalia for their instrumental support during Phase 1 of the initiative. She commended the Federal Government of Somalia, particularly the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, for assuming full leadership of the program’s second phase.
“Social protection is a cornerstone for Somalia’s development and resilience,” Svensson stated. “We are proud of the progress achieved and confident in the government’s capacity to drive this next chapter of Baxnaano,” she added.
The Baxnaano program, launched with World Bank support in 2019, aims to build a safety net for vulnerable Somali households, reducing poverty and promoting long-term human capital development. The transition to government-led implementation underlines Somalia’s commitment to strengthening national systems and achieving sustainable development.
As Phase 2 gets underway, the focus will expand to include shock-responsive social protection, building resilience among communities affected by climate-related and economic shocks.
The program continues to be a symbol of collaboration among international partners and Somali institutions, reflecting a shared vision of inclusive growth and social stability.