Horn of Africa Initiative

17/04/2026

On the sidelines of the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings 2026, Ministers and partners convened on April 15, 2026 for the 28th Horn of Africa Initiative Ministerial Meeting to advance a shared vision for economic corridors in the region.

With a clear focus on “driving jobs, trade, and stability,” discussions highlighted how strategic investments in transport and connectivity can unlock regional potential, strengthen supply chains, and foster inclusive growth.

At a time when global uncertainties continue to challenge economies, the commitment to deepen regional cooperation and accelerate corridor development remains strong.

Together, we move from vision to action, building corridors that connect not just roads, but opportunities.

Read more on: https://hoainitiative.org/communique/28th-ministerial-meeting

Ministry of Finance - Somalia The National Treasury and Economic Planning Ministry of Finance - Ethiopia Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ) World Bank Group African Development Bank Group Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Ministère de l’Économie et des Finances chargé de l'Industrie

02/04/2026

Today’s meeting with the Minister of Finance of Kenya centered on strengthening regional trade and integration, with a focus on transport corridors, financing, and Kenya’s leadership within the Initiative.

The Cabinet Secretary reaffirmed his commitment to continue discussions with fellow ministers during the upcoming April Ministerial Meeting in Washington, D.C.

Kenya, as a founding member of the Horn of Africa Initiative, continues to play a pivotal role in driving progress alongside the rest of the membership.

Ministry of Finance - Somalia Ministry of Finance - Ethiopia Ministère de l’Économie et des Finances chargé de l'Industrie The National Treasury and Economic Planning World Bank Group African Development Bank Group European Commission Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ) Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

02/04/2026

As part of the HoAI Secretariat mission to Kenya, the delegation paid a courtesy visit to Dr. Alex Mubiru, Director General of the East Africa Regional Development, Integration and Business Delivery Office.

The meeting provided an opportunity to brief him on ongoing processes, discuss preparations for upcoming Ministerial Meetings, and reaffirm the Bank’s continued commitment to the Initiative.

As a founding and key partner, African Development Bank Group remains central to advancing the HoAI vision.

Ministry of Finance - Somalia The National Treasury and Economic Planning Ministry of Finance - Ethiopia Ministère de l’Économie et des Finances chargé de l'Industrie World Bank Group European Commission Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ) Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

09/02/2026

WATCH: At the Horn of Africa Initiative Ministerial Meeting on Energy in Mogadishu, H.E. Bihi Iman Egeh, Finance Minister of the Federal Republic of Somalia and current Chair of the HoAI, called for accelerated energy access, deeper regional power integration, and coordinated reforms to drive inclusive growth and stability.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Up_tCX7B47Q

Ministry of Finance - Somalia The National Treasury and Economic Planning Ministry of Finance - Ethiopia Ministère de l’Économie et des Finances chargé de l'Industrie World Bank Group European Commission African Development Bank Group Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ) Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

H.E. Bihi Iman Egeh, Finance Minister of the Federal Republic of Somalia and current Chair of the Horn of Africa Initiative (H...

31/01/2026

Finance Ministers from Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan met in Mogadishu on 28 January 2026 for the 27th Ministerial Meeting of the Horn of Africa Initiative (HoAI).

The meeting reaffirmed the strong partnership between Horn of Africa countries and Development Partners and underscored the importance of continued collaboration with regional institutions, including IGAD and the Eastern Africa Power Pool.

Discussions focused on the energy sector as a key driver of regional integration and shared prosperity, covering regional energy trade, energy transition, and energy access. Ministers emphasized the urgency of establishing a Day-Ahead Market, advancing least-cost power planning, accelerating renewable energy deployment, and closing remaining access gaps.

The meeting concluded with agreement to strengthen long-term financing and stakeholder engagement, including through a high-level, multi-country sectoral committee. The next HoAI Ministerial Meeting will be held in April 2026 in Washington, D.C., on the margins of the IMF–World Bank Spring Meetings.

Read more: https://hoainitiative.org/communique/27th-ministerial-meeting

Ministry of Finance - Somalia The National Treasury and Economic Planning Ministry of Finance - Ethiopia World Bank Group Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ) African Development Bank Group European Commission Ministère de l’Économie et des Finances chargé de l'Industrie Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

20/12/2025

Season’s Greetings from the Horn of Africa Initiative

We extend our sincere appreciation to our partners and stakeholders for your continued collaboration throughout the year. We wish you a peaceful festive season and a prosperous 2026.

30/10/2025

26th Ministerial Meeting of the Horn of Africa Initiative (HoAI) Held as part of the WB-IMF Annual Meetings

15 October 2025 – Washington, D.C.

Finance Ministers from Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan convened for the 26th Ministerial Meeting of the Horn of Africa Initiative (HoAI) in Washington, DC as part of the WB-IMF Annual Meetings. The meeting was chaired by H.E. Mr. Bihi Iman Egeh, Minister of Finance of Somalia, and co-chaired by Mr. Ndiame Diop, Vice President for Eastern and Southern Africa at the World Bank. The meeting reaffirmed the HoAI’s strong partnership with its Development Partners, including the African Development Bank (AfDB), the European Union (EU), Germany (BMZ), the United Kingdom (FCDO), and the World Bank Group (WBG). Together, these partners have mobilized US $13.6 billion in support of the HoAI’s strategic priorities.

A main topic of the meeting was the HoAI Borderlands Roadmap as a driver of regional economic growth through cross-border trade, emerging urban hubs, and shared natural resource management. Strengthening social cohesion across these frontier zones is essential to enhance stability, reduce cross-border insecurity, and accelerate the integration of borderlands into regional economic corridors.

Read the full article and view more photos:
https://hoainitiative.org/communique/26th-ministerial-meeting



World Bank Ministry of Finance - Somalia The National Treasury and Economic Planning Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ) Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Ministère de l’Économie et des Finances chargé de l'Industrie European Commission African Development Bank Group

13/10/2025

📷 Ahead of the Annual Meetings - Watch the Horn of Africa Initiative Highlights Video!

In the lead-up to the WBG–IMF Annual Meetings, the Horn of Africa Initiative (HoAI) looks back on the momentum achieved during the 2025 Spring Meetings. To date, nearly US$13 billion has been mobilized or programmed in support of its strategic pillars.

🎥 The new HoAI Highlights Video captures key moments from the 24th HoAI Ministerial Meeting in Washington, D.C., where Finance Ministers from Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan joined partners from the African Development Bank (AfDB), BMZ Germany, the European Union (EU), UK FCDO and the World Bank Group (WBG) to advance its four strategic pillars of infrastructure and connectivity, regional trade integration, resilience, and human capital.

The video showcases a bold regional trade facilitation plan, including steps toward a Horn of Africa (HoA) Simplified Trade Regime and the creation of a Regional Trade Facilitation Committee — key milestones in strengthening economic connectivity and competitiveness across the region.

A symbolic highlight is the handover of the HoAI Chairmanship from Ethiopia to Somalia, marking a seamless leadership transition and renewed commitment to regional cooperation.

Together, countries and partners are turning vision into action — driving trade, deepening partnerships, and building a more connected, competitive, and resilient Horn of Africa.

06/10/2025

26th Horn of Africa Initiative Ministerial Meeting

On 15 October 2025, the Horn of Africa Initiative (HoAI) will convene its 26th Ministerial Meeting in Washington, DC, alongside the IMF–World Bank Annual Meetings.

The meeting will be co-chaired by Hon. Bihi Iman Egeh, Minister of Finance of Somalia, and Mr. Ndiame Diop, World Bank VP for Eastern & Southern Africa, bringing together HoAI Principals to push forward development in the borderlands of the Horn of Africa.



Ministry of Finance - Somalia Ministère de l’Économie et des Finances chargé de l'Industrie Ministry of Finance - Ethiopia The National Treasury and Economic Planning World Bank Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ) African Development Bank Group European Commission Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

16/09/2025

As part of the Secretariat’s mission to all HoAI countries, the HoAI Team led by Head of Secretariat Liban Obsiye and Team Leader Iradj Alikhani met with CS Hon. John Mbadi to strengthen collaboration and advance regional integration under the HoAI framework.

- Gisele Umugwaneza

07/09/2025

The Horn of Africa Initiative Tour Mission Begins in Djibouti 🇩🇯

The HoAI Secretariat, led by the Head of Secretariat, Liban Obsiye, together with the World Bank representative, officially started the Horn Tour mission today.

Our first stop: a productive meeting with the Minister of Finance of Djibouti to discuss HoAI’s programs, the upcoming Ministerial Meeting this October, and efforts to crowd in additional development partners.

In the afternoon, we engaged with the EU delegation to review the portfolio implementation status.

Stay tuned as we continue engaging with key stakeholders across the Horn of Africa to strengthen collaboration and accelerate progress.

Ministry of Finance - Somalia African Development Bank Group Ministère de l’Économie et des Finances chargé de l'Industrie Ministry of Finance - Ethiopia The National Treasury and Economic Planning European Commission Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ) Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

15/07/2025

The Horn of Africa Initiative convened its technical meeting today at the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) headquarters in Nairobi.

The session was chaired by Liban Obsiye, Head of the HoAI Secretariat, and co-chaired by Kanyimbo of the African Development Bank Group, representing development partners.

Participants held productive discussions on the implementation of the Initiative’s key pillars, reaffirming a strong collective commitment to advancing regional economic growth, connectivity, and collaboration.



Ministry of Finance - Somalia Ministry of Finance - Ethiopia The National Treasury and Economic Planning Ministère de l’Économie et des Finances chargé de l'Industrie World Bank European Commission Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ) Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office