The learning continued through engagements with the Institute for Adult Learning Singapore, NUS Institute of Systems Science and NUS School of Continuing and Lifelong Education. These exchanges offered further perspectives on continuing education, technology, skills development and youth leadership.

For the delegation, the value of the experience lay in connecting what they observed with Somalia’s own development priorities.

“We really needed that trip. From the moment you step into the airport, you can see how far Singapore has come, especially in technology. It made me reflect on how Somalia can learn from such experiences and make better use of its own potential.” Mohamed Hared of the National Leadership Academy said, reflecting on the role of technology in development.

“One of the biggest lessons for me was seeing how professional experience is connected to teaching. Practitioners bring real-world knowledge into the classroom. It also reinforced that learning does not stop when you earn a degree; lifelong learning is essential for developing capable people and institutions.” National Leadership Academy Director General Ms. Hodhan Noor Abdi noted.

These reflections point to an important priority for Somalia: developing institutions that continuously invest in the knowledge, skills and leadership capabilities of the people who serve the public.

The study tour forms part of the Somalia Transformational Governance Programme (STGP), which supports Somalia’s efforts to strengthen governance and public sector institutions, including leadership development and institutional capacity, in coordination with the Office of the Prime Minister Somalia

The programme is implemented with the Office of the Prime Minister and supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). Through this partnership, Somali institutions are gaining opportunities to strengthen their capacity, exchange knowledge and draw on international experience as they advance nationally led governance reforms.

UNDP Somalia thanks Sida and the Office of the Prime Minister for their continued partnership and support, and the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy Executive Education, Institute for Adult Learning Singapore, NUS Institute of Systems Science and NUS School of Continuing and Lifelong Education for welcoming and hosting the delegation and sharing their expertise.

For the National Leadership Academy, the experience provides new perspectives to inform its continued development and its role in preparing a new generation of Somali leaders.

The lessons from Singapore now return to Somalia, where they can contribute to the ongoing work of strengthening leadership, institutions and public service for the country’s future.