Somalia remains one of the most corrupt countries globally, operating under entrenched secrecy with minimal public access to open data. However, a new wave of hope and activism is emerging.
On March 5, 2025, with support from the Open Knowledge Foundation, Bareedo Platform hosted a milestone event in Garowe, Somalia, to mark Open Data Day (ODD) 2025, a global event celebrated annually during the first week of March.
The conference, titled “Somalia Open Data Day 2025: Unlocking Transparency,” aimed to champion the effective adoption of open data initiatives by the Somali government to promote transparency, accountability, good governance, and collaborative, evidence-driven policymaking. It also emphasized the role of open data in fighting corruption, enhancing service delivery, and strengthening Somalia’s democratic processes.
A Strong Gathering of Diverse Stakeholders
The event brought together a wide range of stakeholders, more than 27 participants attended including representatives from major government institutions such as the Somalia National Bureau of Statistics, Puntland’s Department of Statistics, the National Procurement Board, the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation of Puntland State, the Ministry of Finance, and members of the Puntland Parliament.
Civil society organizations showed strong participation, with groups like Puntland NGO Network (PUNTNGO), Somali Relief and Development Organization, Midnimo Women Network, Somali Earth Volunteers, Iskalaji Cultural and Awareness Agency (ICAA), Y-PEER Somalia, Ayaan Initiatives, Hawa Feminist Coalition, Horn Vision, Center for Peace, Conflict and Elections (CPCE), Somali Youth Federation, Horn Orama, Kaalo Aid and Development Organization, Center for Prevention of Violent Extremisms Somalia (CPVESOM), Puntland Research and Development Center (PDRC), and Puntland Lawyers Association among the attendees. Media outlets such as Puntland TV & Radio, Daljir Media, Women in Media Initiatives (WIMISOM), Somali Women Journalists’ Rights Association (SOWJRA), Somali Click, and Somali Open Internet Chapter were also present, underscoring the media’s crucial role in promoting open data.
Opening the Conversation and Discussion
The event opened with welcoming remarks about the significance of Open Data Day. Mr. Abdirahman Hassan, a researcher at Bareedo Platform, delivered a comprehensive presentation on Somalia’s open data landscape, highlighting key achievements and challenges.
Major successes include:
- An increasing wave of advocacy demanding open data, with at least three civil society organizations and think-tank, notably Bareedo Platform actively leading the cause.
- The establishment of the Somalia Open Government Initiative and the 2018 launch of data.gov.so — a platform aimed at promoting transparency and fighting corruption.
- The creation of statistical agencies at both federal and state levels (notably in Puntland) that significantly contributed to data collection and reporting.
- Public release of essential financial data (income and expenditure reports) by the Federal Ministry of Finance and Puntland’s Ministry of Finance, largely driven by World Bank-supported financial reforms.
Persistent challenges include:
- A deeply ingrained culture of secrecy within government circles.
- Limited understanding of open data among officials, with 71% unaware of open data concepts (Bareedo Platform, 2023).
- Low public engagement and media literacy in utilizing available datasets.
- Weak institutional capacity to prioritize open data systems.
- Sparse civil society and media advocacy for open data.
- An undemocratic environment marked by restricted speech and limited press freedoms.
Insights from the Participants
During the discussion sessions:
- Mrs. Ifrah Abdinoor (Midnimo Women Network) highlighted the critical lack of open gender data (99% unavailable), advocating for a centralized online gender data platform.
- Mr. Mohamed Dirie (Somalia National Bureau of Statistics) spoke about challenges in convincing government agencies to release non-sensitive data despite the 2018 Federal Open Government Initiative.
- Mr. Abdirashid Farah (Puntland Statistics Department) shared Puntland’s ongoing efforts to publish key statistics like GDP growth, Consumer Price Index, and census data.
- Mr. Kamal Dahir (Y-PEER Somalia) emphasized the link between open data scarcity and economic issues, particularly youth unemployment, highlighting that open data could drive innovation and job creation.
Discussions, Recommendations, and Action Items
Participants discussed and proposed actionable strategies, including:
- Treating open data as essential in the fight against corruption and pushing for stronger, active implementation nationwide.
- Prioritizing the opening of key datasets, especially procurement and gender data.
- Integrating open data goals into national development frameworks such as Somalia’s National Transformation Plan (NTP) 2025–2029 and Puntland’s Five-Year Development Plan.
- Strengthening multi-stakeholder collaboration by establishing a Somali Open Data Networking Forum.
- Revitalizing and updating the Somalia Open Government Initiative and enhancing the national open data platform.
- Expanding public awareness campaigns on open data, leveraging social media to reach broader audiences.
- Empowering the media to lead advocacy efforts by reporting on data-driven stories.
- Recognizing and rewarding open data champions, proposing the creation of an Open Data Prize.
Special acknowledgment was given to government bodies like the Ministry of Finance, Puntland Parliament, and Ministry of Health for making significant steps toward data transparency. Puntland Parliament was particularly praised for opening legislative processes to citizens.
Next Steps and Future Plans
The Open Data Day 2025 in Somalia was not merely a celebration but a launchpad for action toward a transparent and accountable future.
Bareedo Platform committed to a series of follow-up initiatives, with a priority on establishing the Somali Open Data Networking Forum as proposed. They pledged to continue working closely with stakeholders to provide resources, develop policies, and create collaboration opportunities to push forward the open data agenda.
The event concluded with a strong collective call for continued commitment, collaboration, and greater citizen engagement to unlock the full potential of open data in Somalia.
Participants expressed deep appreciation to Bareedo Platform for organizing the impactful event and extended heartfelt thanks to the Open Knowledge Foundation for its critical support.
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