Prime Minister Hamza Meets National Leadership Academy Council to Discuss Progress and Anti-Corruption Efforts

MOGADISHU — Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre held a high-level meeting with the Governing Council and management of the National Leadership Academy (NLA) on Wednesday to discuss the academy’s progress and its role in advancing leadership development in Somalia.

The Prime Minister received an update on the progress of the Academy’s activities, with officials reporting that facilities for its operations have been completed, its curriculum has been developed, and memoranda of understanding have been reached with major international institutions and universities.

Prime Minister Hamza commended the council and management for their extensive work in establishing the Academy, stressing the importance of institutions that can contribute to meaningful change in the lives of Somali people.

A Call for Transformative Leadership

“We must have educational institutions that bring real change to the lives of the Somali people, raise individual awareness, transform misguided thinking, and produce people with leadership qualities rooted in the interests of the country and its people,” the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister urged the Governing Council and management of the NLA to develop innovative approaches aimed at addressing social practices that hinder the country’s progress, including corruption and clan-based divisions.

The Prime Minister’s remarks underscore the government’s growing emphasis on education and professional development as tools for building a stronger public sector and improving leadership at national and local levels.

The National Leadership Academy

The NLA was established in 2025 to address a critical need for structured, homegrown leadership development in Somalia. The academy has been working with international partners, including Qatar, to develop its programs and strengthen its institutional capacity.

The academy offers a blended learning experience combining in-person training at its Kismayo campus with flexible online learning accessible from anywhere in Somalia. Its curriculum is designed to be practical, inclusive, and locally grounded, merging Somali values with global best practices in leadership.

The establishment of the National Leadership Academy comes as Somalia continues efforts to strengthen public institutions and develop professional leadership as part of its broader state-building agenda.

The country has made progress in rebuilding government institutions after decades of conflict, but weak institutional capacity, political divisions, and corruption continue to pose challenges to effective governance.

Critical Note

The National Leadership Academy represents a significant investment in Somalia’s future, aiming to cultivate a new generation of ethical, competent, and visionary leaders. The Prime Minister’s emphasis on addressing corruption and clan divisions reflects a recognition that technical skills alone are insufficient without a foundation of integrity and national commitment.

Yet, the academy’s success will depend on whether it can translate its mission into tangible change. Somalia’s challenges are deeply rooted, and changing attitudes and practices that have hindered development for decades will require sustained effort and political will. The academy must also ensure that its programs are accessible to talented individuals from all regions and backgrounds, not just those with connections to power.

The government’s focus on leadership development is welcome, but it must be accompanied by broader institutional reforms that create an enabling environment for ethical leadership to flourish. Without addressing the systemic issues that enable corruption and clan-based divisions, even the best-trained leaders may find themselves constrained by the very systems they seek to change.