Somalia - Strengthening Institution for Economic Policy Management and Infrastructure Development Project (SIEPMID)

The Strengthening Institution for Economic Policy Management and Infrastructure Development Project (SIEPMID) aims to improve financial and economic governance in Somalia. The project also supports infrastructure rehabilitation by ensuring that all civil works are underpinned by technical feasibility studies and sound analysis. It includes the following three components: (i) Institutional Capacity Strengthening for Improved Economic Policy Analysis, Implementation and Coordination. This component focuses on establishing, staffing and equipping the Economic Strategy Unit (ESU) under the Minister of Finance. Six (6) subject matter experts (economists, financial analyst, fiscal analyst, expenditure management and intergovernmental affairs) will be recruited under the project. The proposed ESU’s main activities will be to provide expert advice to the Minister of Finance, enhance coordination between finance and planning functions, and coordinate implementation of the various actions across government ministries and agencies required for meeting the benchmarks under the Staff Monitored Programs. (ii) Enhancing Skills for Infrastructure Development. The component focuses on building Somalia’s expertise in upstream studies needed for the implementation of infrastructure projects, including the corridors program. This work will draw from and build on the findings of the Transport Sector Needs Assessments (TSNA) for Somalia, which was commissioned and sponsored by the Bank. These upstream studies will focus on targeted rehabilitation works for: Belet Weyne-Galkayo-Garowe road (including the link between Belet Weyn and Ferfer (Somalia/Ethiopia border)); Luuq, Ganane-Dolow road, and; Galkayo-Hobyo road. (iii) Project Management: This component entails monitoring and evaluation activities, external audit and Project management activities.