Somalia Rural Blue Economy

Untapped Resource

Somalia’s blue economy represents a transformative opportunity to unlock sustainable growth, create jobs, and strengthen food security by harnessing the country’s vast marine resources. With the longest coastline in Africa and a strategic location along major global shipping routes, Somalia is uniquely positioned to develop thriving fisheries, modern ports, coastal tourism, and marine-based industries. By investing in value chains, infrastructure, and sustainable ocean management, the blue economy can drive inclusive economic development—empowering coastal communities, supporting rural livelihoods, and building resilience to climate change.

Badmaal Project

Somalia’s flagship program for developing the fisheries sector and advancing the blue economy. It is funded by the World Bank (IDA) and implemented by the Ministry of Fisheries and Blue Economy in collaboration with Federal Member States.

The project is a 6-year program (2020–2026), designed to deliver both immediate livelihood support and long-term institutional and infrastructure development.

The overall objectives of the project is to strengthen sustainable fisheries management and increase economic opportunities for coastal communities, particularly small-scale fishers, youth, and women.

Somali Sustainable Fisheries Development Project

Critical Gap

The Badmaal Project is a major step toward developing Somalia’s fisheries and blue economy, but its impact is limited by key policy gaps. Current investments are largely urban-centered, focusing on ports, landing sites, and centralized infrastructure, with insufficient integration of rural and small-scale fishing communities who form the backbone of the sector. As a result, many rural households remain excluded from value addition, job creation, and market opportunities.

The project also reflects a broader project-based and donor-driven approach, lacking strong links to long-term national systems, domestic markets, and SME development. To maximize impact, Somalia’s blue economy policy must shift toward a more inclusive, rural-integrated model—connecting coastal investments to inland economies, strengthening local enterprises, and positioning fisheries as a driver of food security, poverty reduction, and broad-based economic development.

The Somali Rural Development Center, in collaboration with government institutions and international donors, works to promote the blue economy in rural coastal areas. Our mission is to transform Somalia’s marine resources into sustainable economic opportunities that benefit local communities, empower youth and women, and support food security.

Key focus areas and actions:

1. Capacity Building for Local Communities

   • Provide training for small-scale fishers on sustainable fishing practices and resource management

   • Support community cooperatives to strengthen organization, marketing, and financial management

   • Offer vocational training for youth and women to participate in fisheries value chains

2. Development of Fishery Ports and Infrastructure

   • Upgrade and modernize rural landing sites and small ports

   • Establish cold storage, ice plants, and processing facilities to reduce post-harvest losses

   • Improve transport and logistics to connect coastal communities with inland markets

3. Attracting Private Sector Investment

   • Promote investment in fisheries, aquaculture, and related value chains

   • Facilitate public-private partnerships (PPPs) for sustainable coastal development

   • Support rural SMEs to enter national and international markets

4. Promoting Sustainable and Inclusive Growth

   • Integrate fisheries development with local economic activities, including agriculture and trade

   • Encourage community-led conservation and climate-resilient practices, such as mangrove restoration

   • Strengthen local governance and resource management to ensure long-term sustainability

Through these actions, the Somali Rural Development Center aims to create thriving rural coastal economies, linking natural resources to meaningful livelihoods and inclusive growth.

Somali Rural Development Center