How strong local governance lifted the port city of Berbera

UNDP partnerships fuel optimism and growth in Somalia

August 20, 2025

a group of people wearing costumes — Berbera’s local revenues have soared in the last decade, allowing the municipality to allocate significant funding for education and health care.

Photo: UNDP Somalia

A decade ago, Berbera, a bustling port city in Somaliland, faced serious challenges. In 2012, the city’s municipal budget for health and education was almost zero. Public services struggled, infrastructure lagged, and citizens had limited basic services.

Fast forward to today, Berbera tells a different story. It’s one of optimism and growth driven by strong local governance, visionary leadership and strategic support through the UN Joint Programme on Local Governance and Service Delivery (JPLG), one of the longest running projects in the Horn of Africa.

Serving his second term in office Berbera’s mayor, Abdishakur Mohamoud Hassan has overseen significant financial growth.

A man in a white shirt sits at a desk, engaged in conversation with a woman. — Berbera’s mayor, Abdishakur Mohamoud Hassan, has led a transformation in the port city.

Photo: UNDP Somalia/Ahmed Fais

By 2024, Berbera’s local revenue had soared from US$1.5 million in 2012 to $14 million, allowing the municipality to allocate $2 million per year to schools and $1.7 million annually to healthcare. Roads, clinics, markets and schools have been upgraded, and the capacity of local authorities has been strengthened.

“This is what strong local governance delivers. JPLG also helped us build the systems, skills and capacity to plan and deliver for our people. It was our first major project, and it was not just about funding. It taught us how to maintain transparency and accountability, and to effect local planning.”

- Mayor Hassan

A spacious waiting area in a bus terminal with empty chairs and a person using a laptop.

Two transport companies with colorful signs; people interacting outside.

A smiling young man stands in front of a colorful wall with various logos and text.

A group of four people discussing in a small office with blue walls and computers.

One standout example is Berbera’s Central Bus Terminal, which has changed the face of public transport in the city. Before its construction four years ago buses converged in an open, chaotic space with no clear organization. Today, the terminal, built with support from JPLG, serves thousands of travellers every week in a safe, clean, and orderly environment.

“Before this bus terminal was built, it was just an open space, always littered and muddy, where buses from all over the city gathered. It was disorganized and chaotic,” recalls Najah Abdirahman, a Berbera resident. “Today, all transport companies operate from one central, well-structured location. The city is greener and cleaner, trees have been planted, and everything is more orderly, thanks to our local government.”

Abdifatah Sacid, a young person who works for Nabad-Gale Transportation that operates buses from the terminal says, “The transportation system in Berbera has significantly improved. Our passengers can now reserve seats and enjoy smoother travel. Plus, city-wide sanitation and tree planting initiatives have made Berbera even more attractive for visitors.”

Two smiling individuals in a bus terminal, one in a white hijab and the other in a brown shirt. — Berbera residents Najah Abdirahman (left) and Abdifatah Sacid have noticed a marked improvement in the city's infrastructure and services.

Photos: UNDP Somalia/Ahmed Fais

Berbera’s progress demonstrates that strong governance improves life for everyone.

“The leadership, dedication and visionary qualities of its mayor, commitments of his team, and commitment of the government at all levels have definitely been major and crucial factors,” says Lionel Laurens, UNDP’s Resident Representative in Somalia. “The mayor himself recognizes that JPLG, one of the longest-running joint UN programmes, has been catalytic to Berbera’s success. For years, the programme has worked alongside the local government and communities to provide substantial support to enhance governance systems and capacities to plan, budget, procure, and implement services.”

Over the past decade, with support of the programme, over 32 similar local government units across Somalia and Somaliland have significantly enhanced their capacities in local development planning, public finance management and climate vulnerability response, reflecting community priorities, including women, youth and marginalized groups. 

Through the Somalia Joint Fund, JPLG is supported by the Danish International Development Agency, the British Department for International Development, the European Union, Netherlands, Norway, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, Switzerland and the United States Agency for International Development.

With 443 new and rehabilitated schools in 18 districts, over half a million Somali children, 58 percent of them girls, are now learning in safe, well-equipped classrooms. JPLG has improved 281 health facilities for over 3.2 million people. Families now have access to life-saving treatment, maternal care, and essential medicines in their own districts. Through civic engagement, JPLG has empowered over 101,000 citizens directly and reached more than 4.5 million through media, giving every Somali a voice in shaping their future.

Today, due to global financing constraints, JPLG has transitioned to a smaller project, Dowladkaab, funded by Norway, Switzerland, and Netherlands via Somalia Joint Fund, which is focusing on Galmadug, Hirshabelle, South-West and Jubaland States, along with Somaliland and Puntland, which benefited less from the JPLG programme.

“These states are in great need of local governance support to empower municipalities to deliver services and strengthen the social contract,” says Laurens. “In parallel, discussions are ongoing in Somaliland to develop the next generation of local governance support programmes, aiming at more advanced and sophisticated municipal systems and capacities with embedded sustainable financing that will be less dependent on external partner funding.”

Mayor Hassan says the biggest benefit of the programme wasn’t money. “It was good governance, learning to collaborate, plan and to set clear goals. Our progress became visible. It helped strengthen ties between the federal and local governments.”

Berbera’s achievements in education, health and infrastructure have shown what strong leadership can accomplish. “Together, we have made Berbera a better place to live,” Mayor Hassan says. “Let's continue working together for a brighter future.”