The Somali Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) has launched the implementation of its Strategic Plan 2025–2029 by enhancing its policy advocacy capacity, a critical function for influencing the national business environment. This initiative, supported by the ILO, marks a key step in bringing the Chamber’s strategic objectives to life and ensuring that Somali employers have a strong voice in policymaking.
As part of Strategic Objective II of the plan, SCCI established an internal Policy Advocacy Committee to lead engagement with policymakers and amplify the interests of Somali businesses. With guidance from the ILO’s Bureau for Employers’ Activities, committee members participated in a capacity-building webinar facilitated by an external consultant. The training covered designing effective advocacy strategies, grounding policy positions in research, identifying stakeholders and building alliances, prioritizing actions, evaluating impact, and presenting strategies as part of a national business agenda. Participants also exchanged experiences through regional case studies from South Sudan and Kenya.
SCCI’s leadership, including Director General Abdi Abshir Dhoore and Vice President Abdirashid Ainshane, attended the session and praised the ILO’s continued support in strengthening the Chamber’s ability to represent Somali employers. Effective advocacy is seen as a pathway to shaping policies that foster a competitive, fair, and sustainable business environment.
Founded in 1962, the SCCI has historically served as a bridge between the private sector and the Somali government. The Chamber collapsed in 1991 following the fall of the central government but was revived in 2012 as a voluntary business association. Since 2019, it has been recognized by the ILO as Somalia’s sole employer constituent, benefiting from ongoing technical assistance from ACT/EMP.
This milestone demonstrates SCCI’s commitment to becoming a powerful advocate for Somali businesses and ensuring that employers’ voices are central to national policy discussions.
