The Federal Government of Somalia, in partnership with the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), and the World Food Programme (WFP), has officially launched a major $11.8 million initiative to strengthen agricultural and pastoral systems in Somalia. This three-year project aims to build climate change resilience for drought-affected Somali citizens, improve sustainable land and water management, increase productivity, expand market access, and enhance disaster preparedness.
Dubbed Activating Climate-Resilient Agricultural Livelihoods in Somalia (ACALS), this project is financed by the African Development Fund (ADF)—the concessional loan and grant window of the African Development Bank—and will be jointly implemented by WFP and UNOPS.
The initiative will directly benefit 180,000 people, or 30,000 households, in the drought-stricken states of Hirshabelle and Puntland. With a special focus on farmers, women, and youth, the project centers on rehabilitating irrigation infrastructure, introducing climate-resilient crops, and providing business support.
Highlighting the significance of the project, Hassan Hussein Mohamed, Somalia’s Federal Minister of Livestock, Forestry and Range, explained “Somalia’s livestock and agricultural sectors require targeted interventions like ACALS to build resilience to climate change and improve their ability to adapt to changing climatic conditions.”
Pascal Sanginga, the East Africa Regional Manager for Agriculture and Agro-Industry at the African Development Bank, highlighted the Bank’s broad engagement with Somalia. As of May 2026, the Bank manages 24 active operations in Somalia, with agriculture accounting for 12.2% of the portfolio. This underscores the Bank’s strategic shift from short-term emergency assistance toward long-term investments in food security and climate resilience.
This project comes at a time when Somalia is facing a severe humanitarian crisis. Currently, one in five Somalis (approximately six million people) faces acute food insecurity or severe hunger (IPC Phase 3 and above). Out of these, nearly two million people are facing emergency levels of hunger (IPC Phase 4). The primary drivers of this crisis include recurrent droughts, insecurity, declining humanitarian funding, and the economic ripple effects of the conflict in the Middle East.
Marco Selva, WFP’s Deputy Country Director in Somalia, stated”Somalis continue to face climate shocks, conflict and fragile livelihoods, particularly in rural and agropastoral communities. ACALS will help families build resilience for long-term food security while supporting broader development efforts.”
Marking a forward-looking partnership, this initiative represents the first joint project between WFP and UNOPS in Somalia, showcasing strong collaboration among UN agencies. Ala’a Nemer, UNOPS Country Director in Somalia, noted that the project goes beyond just delivering infrastructure; it is about ensuring that these assets are climate-resilient, designed to withstand future shocks, and backed by robust community governance structures.
The initiative aligns directly with Somalia’s National Transformation Plan (2025–2029) and is expected to contribute significantly to building institutional capacity by fostering closer collaboration among government entities, development partners, financial institutions, and local communities.
