Friday August 7, 2026
Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia is moving to give locally made goods a stronger foothold in regional trade after the Cabinet approved a draft Rules of Origin Law aimed at expanding market access and supporting domestic production.
The Cabinet endorsed the legislation during its weekly meeting on Tuesday, as the government advances trade reforms linked to Somalia’s accession to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and its membership in the East African Community (EAC).
Trade and Industry Minister Jamaal Mohamed Hassan said the proposed law would create the legal basis for issuing Certificates of Origin, enabling Somali exporters to seek preferential tariff treatment under regional and continental agreements.
“The law will enable Somali traders and manufacturers to obtain Certificates of Origin, allowing them to benefit from tax exemptions and preferential market access provided under trade agreements to which Somalia is a party, particularly the East African Community and the African Continental Free Trade Area,” Hassan said.
Once enacted, the legislation would allow goods meeting the required rules of origin—including products manufactured in Somalia—to receive official certification identifying their country of origin. That documentation is expected to help businesses enter markets across the region and Africa.
Hassan said the measure would make Somali-made products more competitive, open new opportunities for local companies and encourage businesses to take a larger role in regional commerce.
The minister also said the government is examining tax policies that would favour locally manufactured goods, part of a wider effort to stimulate domestic industries.
He said the reforms are designed to attract investment, generate employment and lessen Somalia’s dependence on imported goods.
Additional policies are also being developed to safeguard domestic production, reinforce Somalia’s industrial and agricultural sectors and increase the country’s ability to export throughout Africa, Hassan added.
The draft law comes as Somalia accelerates economic reforms intended to connect the country more closely with regional and continental markets after recently ratifying the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement. The Ministry said the measures aim to diversify the economy, expand exports and strengthen the competitiveness of Somali businesses.
