A consortium comprising the Heritage Institute for Policy Studies (HIPS) and City University of Mogadishu, with the support of more than 20 distinguished academics, researchers and consultants undertook a multi-sector human capital development baseline study for Somalia –
with a special focus on the health, labor, education, fisheries, livestock and agriculture sectors.

The primary purpose of this initiative was to produce the first-ever comprehensive human capital development strategy (HCDS) for Somalia. We specifically looked at how a skilled and healthy population could emerge as a catalyst in harnessing the country’s abundant natural resources for more sustainable development. We also examined how best to stimulate, advance and synchronize the efforts of human capital development stakeholders, particularly the federal government, the federal member states, educators at all levels and the private sector.

Over 1000 human capital development stakeholders from both the public and private sectors contributed to this pioneering research work, making it the most authoritative human capital development study and strategy ever produced for Somalia. In fact, after reviewing the preliminary findings of the baseline study, the Federal Ministry of Planning designated human
capital development as a national priority.

It would not have been possible to complete this initiative without the considerable support of the
federal government and all of the federal member states. The federal Minister of Planning, Gamal Hassan, and the then Minister of Labor and Social Services, Salah Jama, played a pivotal role in moving this project forward. Many federal officials helped the project come to fruition, including Minister of Education, Abdullahi Godah Barre, and his predecessor, Abdirahman D. Osman; the Minister of Labor, Sadik Warfa; Vice Minister of Health, Mohamed Said; Finance Minister, Dr.
Abdirahman Beileh and his Vice Minister, Dr. Abdullahi Sheikh Ali. Likewise, current and former leaders of the federal member states all supported the human capital development assessments in their respective regions.

A core output of this undertaking is the national human capital development strategy as well as sector specific interventions available at HIPS website or this dedicated website, www.humancapital.so. The strategy identified key recommendations including the harmonization
of the efforts of the human capital development stakeholders, the establishment of a National
Qualifications Framework (NQF) and the adaptation of national values and mind-set conducive to Technical and Vocational Educational and Training (TVET) and productive sector development. This research exercise was not only immensely educational but also humbling. The baseline studies laid bare the enormous developmental challenges Somalia faces. As part of the
leadership of Somalia’s higher education and research institution, we assumed we knew the depth and breadth of the country’s human capital challenges. However, the findings convinced us that we had a great deal to learn. We are, therefore, confident relevant stakeholders who read these baseline studies and this accompanying strategy will agree that the implementation of the
strategic interventions outlined in this document should become a national priority.