The 29th Horn of Africa Initiative Ministerial Meeting

The 29th Horn of Africa Initiative (HoAI) Ministerial Meeting was held earlier today, Monday, 28th September 2026, at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), Nairobi.

The high- end meeting which brought together Finance Ministers, Senior Government Officials and Development Partners from the Horn of Africa aimed at advancing Regional cooperation and economic integration.

While representing The National Treasury Cabinet Secretary, Hon. FCPA John Mbadi, the State Department for Economic Planning, Dr. Bonface Makokha reaffirmed Kenya’s support for the revised Regional Trade Facilitation Roadmap, noting that its effective implementation would be critical to making cross-border trade more commercially viable.

He called for a shift from commitments and pledges to concrete action and tangible results, while supporting the establishment and operationalisation of the Regional Trade Facilitation Committee to drive implementation and track progress.

PS Makokha further noted that Kenya would work with Agencies, including the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) and Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) among others to promote systems compatibility with neighbouring Countries and support mutual recognition frameworks for authorised economic operators, transport permits and standards.

Moreover, the meeting featured a comprehensive presentation on trade facilitation which highlighted key challenges affecting cross-border trade in the region including insecurity and border disruptions, non-tariff barriers, regulatory differences and limited compatibility of digital systems.

On his part, the Somalia Minister of Finance, Hon. Bihi Iman, highlighted the importance of translating the Initiative’s shared ambition for regional integration into practical improvements for economies and Citizens.

Similarly, the Director-General for Reconstruction and Stability at Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Mr. Volker Oel, called for high-level commitment to move from commitments to implementation and reaffirmed Germany’s continued support for the Initiative.

The engagement also reviewed progress in implementing previous Ministerial decisions, including findings from an energy sector pilot undertaken in collaboration with the Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP). It further featured a presentation by the World Bank on trade integration in Africa and its implications for the Horn of Africa.

The discussions focused on trade and regional economic integration, with particular emphasis on implementing the revised HoAI Trade Facilitation Roadmap, identifying priority actions, exploring financing options and strengthening support for regional integration.

In attendance were: Ethiopia Minister of Finance, Hon. Ahmed Shide; Djibouti Ministry of Economy and Finance, Secretary General, Hon. Ahmed Idriss; Mr. Alex Mubiru, Director General for East Africa, African Development Bank and representatives from member Countries among other Senior Officials.