On 6 August 2026, Sinaan convened its third Programme Steering Committee meeting in Mogadishu, co-chaired by the Federal Ministry of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation (MoIFAR) and FCDO. The meeting brought together representatives from the Federal Government of Somalia, Federal Member States, municipalities, city mayors, FCDO, the Sinaan team and programme partners.
Building on the second PSC held in March, the meeting marked a progression from strategic planning to assessing implementation.
In March, discussions focused on mobilising capital, engaging the private sector and diaspora, and leveraging complementary programmes to finance priority municipal investments amid increasingly constrained international grant funding. Participants also emphasised the importance of integrating climate resilience, gender equality and job creation into urban development.
Five months later, the third PSC reviewed achievements since Sinaan’s inception, the FY2026/27 workplan, procurement and financial performance, implementation risks, priority interventions and institutional coordination.
The central question had shifted from what Sinaan intended to achieve to what had been delivered, what remained challenging and what needed to happen next.
Strengthening Government Ownership and Coordination
Urban development requires coordination across different levels of government. Municipal investments may be implemented locally, but their success often depends on federal policies, state-level institutions, municipal capacity, financing and technical approvals.
The PSC brings these actors together, creating a shared understanding of programme priorities while recognising that cities operate in different institutional and development contexts.
This was particularly evident in presentations by Southwest State and Baidoa Municipality, which shared achievements, implementation challenges and tangible results from Sinaan’s interventions.
Their contribution reinforced the importance of government ownership and local perspectives in programme decision-making. While monitoring, procurement and financial reports provide essential performance data, municipalities offer practical insights into whether investments are delivering meaningful improvements and what is required to sustain them.
Mobilising Resources for Sustainable Urban Development
With international grant funding increasingly constrained, Sinaan’s approach to investment must extend beyond its own programme budget.
The PSC discussions highlighted opportunities to mobilise additional resources through private sector and diaspora engagement, complementary donor programmes and stronger institutional partnerships.
Sinaan funding can support technical preparation, strengthen municipal systems and help create conditions for further investment. Where appropriate, private capital can contribute to projects with viable revenue models, while coordination with other programmes can help pool resources around shared priorities.
The objective is to use available funding strategically to unlock wider and more sustainable development outcomes.
Equally important is ensuring that investments deliver more than physical infrastructure. Roads, public spaces, renewable-energy systems and municipal services can contribute to climate resilience, economic opportunities, gender inclusion and job creation.
The measure of success is therefore not only what is built, but the wider benefits these investments generate for cities and their communities.
Turning Oversight into Action
The August PSC also examined the operational issues that determine whether investments move from planning to delivery.
Procurement delays, financial bottlenecks, unresolved institutional responsibilities and emerging risks can affect implementation timelines, costs and sustainability.
By reviewing these issues alongside programme achievements, the PSC provided an opportunity to identify constraints and agree on corrective measures.
Participants agreed responsibilities and timelines for follow-up actions, linking Steering Committee decisions directly to implementation.
The meeting also explored coordination with wider local-governance initiatives to identify complementary investments, reduce duplication and strengthen programme impact.
Building an Adaptive Programme
For a multi-year programme operating across different cities and institutional contexts, the ability to adapt is essential.
Government priorities evolve, municipal needs change, technical studies generate new information and financing opportunities emerge. Regular reviews allow Sinaan to respond to these developments while keeping its long-term objectives in focus.
The progression between the March and August PSC meetings illustrates this approach: establishing strategic priorities, reviewing implementation evidence, addressing constraints and adjusting actions where necessary.
Set direction. Deliver. Review. Adjust. Move forward.
From Governance to Lasting Impact
The third Mogadishu PSC reinforced the Steering Committee’s role as more than an oversight mechanism. It is a platform for government ownership, institutional coordination, strategic financing and evidence-based decision-making.
Behind every successful municipal investment are critical decisions: a bottleneck resolved, a risk addressed, resources aligned, responsibilities clarified and local priorities reflected in programme delivery.
These decisions are as important to Sinaan’s long-term impact as the infrastructure itself.
Ultimately, building resilient, inclusive and economically vibrant cities requires more than investment in physical assets. It requires capable institutions, sustainable financing, strong partnerships and a programme that continuously learns and adapts.
The August PSC demonstrated how effective programme governance can turn plans into progress and urban investments into lasting development.
