People really underestimate how impressive it is that Somalis are building infrastructure mostly with their own resources. Could Syria, for example, finance something like the Garacad port on their own? Highly doubtful.
Most road projects in Somalia are funded through local mechanisms like property taxes or contributions from businesses. They’re prioritized based on actual community needs , not top down donor plans:
She says: "Road constructions in Mogadishu is initiated by a committee that includes business people, religious scholars and civil society officials. This committee determines which roads need to be built based on community needs. Local business men are responsible for 50% of the funding. Property owners whose lands abuts the roads under construction contribute 15% with their share proportionate to their properties proximity to the road. The Banadir regional administration contributes the remaining 35%"
These are the kinds of grassroots projects being done , connecting neighborhoods, upgrading drainage systems, etc.
They're building nonstop just to keep up with the rapid pace of urban growth. Here's something from just 3 days ago:
Even the Mogadishu–Afgooye highway which Qatar helped fund , shows how partnerships still lean on local direction:
Asphalt-paving work begins on Mogadishu-Afgoye road
Qatar, represented by Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), continues to support development projects in Somalia with the start of asphalt-paving work on the Mogadishu-Afgoye road.
Hargeisa, for example, completed 21 roads in just 17 months:
Somaliland: Hargeisa municipality has completed 21 roads within 17 months - SomalilandCurrent.com
By M.A. Egge The initiative of the Mayor of the capital city of Hargeisa Cllr. Abdikarim Ahmed Mooge and the efforts exerted by the town hall are unprecedented as far as infrastructure is concerned. Their palpable services are felt and are largescale beyond the historic road works. The local...
www.somalilandcurrent.com
And Puntland’s Highway Authority has ongoing and completed roadworks well documented:
Ongoing Projects - PHA
Ongoing Projects Bursaalax-Galkacyo road Construction • On going Projects, Projects Reconstruction and Rehabilitation of Xajikhayr-Dalsan Road • On going Projects, Projects Routine Maintenance and other rehabilitation works from Galkacyo to Bosaso, and Garowe to Laascaanod • On going Projects...
pha.pl.so
To be honest, I think Somalis are in a much better position long-term. Relying on local capacity instead of chasing foreign investment keeps development tied to real economic activity. Otherwise, you just end up with debt, loss of ownership, and flashy vanity projects that don’t serve people on the ground.
Somalia, in my view, is seeing more meaningful development than many African countries because it’s decentralized and driven by local needs. Basic services like housing, water, electricity, telecom expansion, agriculture/market and small business growth are being prioritized before flashy infrastructure.
We’ve already seen how those billion dollar foreign funded mega-projects turned out in Kenya and Ethiopia , debt ridden with minimal benefit to the people they were supposed to serve:
They borrowed 4.5 billion dollars to finance it from China back in 2018
Chinese investments in Africa go off the rails
Beijing signals new approach as concern grows over misguided ‘vanity projects’www.ft.com
It bleeds money and doesn't contribute to any economic growth. It's pretty much seen as a 'Vanity Project'' by the Chinese themselves.
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