Somalia’s parliament approves 2026 national budget totaling $1.39 billion

Members of both chambers of the Somali Parliament convened today in Mogadishu and officially approved the 2026 National Budget, amounting to $1,386,807,242 (one billion, three hundred eighty-six million, eight hundred seven thousand, two hundred forty-two dollars).

The Chairman of the Joint Parliamentary Budget Committee, MP Abdi Warsame Qowdhan, presented the third reading report of the budget, outlining the key points and priorities guiding the government’s financial plan for the coming year.

The session saw strong attendance, with 174 lawmakers voting in favor of the budget, four opposing it, and one abstaining, according to the vote results announced by the Speaker of the House of the People, Sheikh Aden Madobe.

A notable feature of the 2026 federal budget is the allocation for drought management, given predictions of a possible drought similar to the devastating 2011 crisis if rainfall levels remain insufficient. The Federal Parliamentary Budget Committee shared that the Ministry of Finance proposed that these funds be used to address emergency situations resulting from drought conditions.

MP Mohamed Haruun Abdillahi, a member of the Parliamentary Finance Committee, noted that $2.2 million has been specifically earmarked for drought response and will be managed by a dedicated committee.

The approval of the budget underscores the Somali government’s focus on fiscal planning, disaster preparedness, and national development priorities for 2026.