One of Somalia’s most reliable partners has not paid on time—and the delay is rippling through an already fragile budget.
The Somali government has confirmed a delay in receiving its annual budget support from Turkey, a key development and security partner, as the country approaches the end of the fiscal year under mounting financial strain.
Finance Minister Bihi Iman Egeh told local media that Turkey has yet to disburse the expected $30 million in budgetary support for this year, breaking a pattern of consistent payments in previous years. “Turkey has been providing budget support regularly in past years,” the minister said. “This year’s support, amounting to $30 million, has been delayed and was not paid on time as usual.”
Egeh said the federal government has relied more heavily this year on assistance from other international partners, including the European Union, the United Nations, and several allied countries, to cover core budget needs. He did not indicate when the Turkish funds might be released.
The delay has drawn attention because of Turkey’s prominent role in Somalia over the past decade, spanning development projects, humanitarian aid, and security cooperation. Ankara has been one of Mogadishu’s most visible partners, making the late disbursement notable even in the absence of an official explanation.
The issue comes at a sensitive moment for Somalia’s public finances. The federal government’s budget—valued at more than $1 billion—has yet to receive parliamentary approval, further tightening cash flow and complicating planning for both federal institutions and regional administrations.
Somalia continues to face persistent fiscal challenges, with government operations heavily dependent on external budget support. The delayed Turkish contribution highlights the vulnerability of that model, particularly when expected funds do not arrive on schedule, and underscores the broader financial pressures confronting the Somali state as the year closes.
