Somalia Launches National Monitoring Committee to Eliminate Non-Tariff Barriers
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 17th April, 2025: The Federal Republic of Somalia has officially launched its National Monitoring Committee (NMC) on the Elimination of Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs), marking a major milestone in its integration into the East African Community (EAC) Customs Union and Common Market.
The launch took place during a three-day workshop held from 13th to 15th April, 2025 at Afrik Hotel in Mogadishu. The event was jointly organised by the EAC Secretariat and the Government of Somalia.
In her remarks, Ms. Annette Ssemuwemba, the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Customs, Trade and Monetary Affairs, commended Somalia for this significant step forward on integration journey.
“The launch of the National Monitoring Committee is more than a procedural step; it is a symbol of institutional readiness and a shared commitment to unlocking regional trade opportunities. Somalia’s entry into the EAC brings dynamic potential and opens a new trade frontier,” said Ms. Ssemuwemba.
Ms. Ssemuwemba underscored the strategic role of NMCs in driving the EAC’s goal of increasing intra-regional trade to 40% by 2030.
“We count on Somalia’s NMC to actively eliminate NTBs, engage the private sector, and collaborate with regional counterparts to build a barrier-free trading space,” added the DSG.
Delivering the keynote address, Mr. Mohammed Isaac Ibrahim, the Director General for EAC Affairs at Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, emphasised the country’s readiness to support EAC integration objectives.
“This launch reflects not only our institutional preparedness but also our political commitment to advancing regional trade and integration,” said Mr. Ibrahim.
Mr. Ibrahim disclosed that Somalia had established various technical committees to fast track the implementation of the EAC Customs Union and Common Market protocols, as well as other ongoing bilateral trade engagements, particularly with the Republic of Kenya.
The establishment of the NMC reflects Somalia’s strong political will to foster a predictable, transparent, and efficient trade environment. It also underlines the country’s commitment to regional trade integration. The Somalia NMC structure includes representatives from 16 public sector institutions and eight key private sector associations. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry will serve as Chair, while the Somalia Chamber of Commerce and Industry will act as Co-Chair.
The NMC will lead the identification, reporting, and resolution of NTBs through regional mechanisms such as the EAC NTB Mobile Application, the Tripartite Online Reporting Platform, and quarterly national coordination meetings.
In addition to formally inaugurating the NMC, the workshop finalised and adopted Somalia’s NTB Elimination Workplan as well as strengthened the capacity of nominated NMC members.
The workshop brought together officials from line ministries, departments and agencies in Somalia, representatives of private sector associations and technical officers from the EAC Secretariat.
For more information, please contact:
Simon Peter Owaka
Senior Public Relations Officer
Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department
EAC Secretariat
Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: +255 768 552087
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of eight (8) Partner States, comprising the Republic of Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Kenya, the Republic of Rwanda, the Federal Republic of Somalia, the Republic of South Sudan, the Republic of Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania. The Federal Republic of Somalia was admitted into the EAC bloc by the Summit of EAC Heads of State on 24th November, 2023 and became a full member on 4th March, 2024