The Somali Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) has taken a key step in bringing its new Strategic Plan for 2025-2029 to life by strengthening its policy advocacy capacity-a crucial function for any employers' organisation seeking to influence the business environment.
As part of Strategic Objective II of the plan, the SCCI has set up an internal Policy Advocacy Committee to spearhead its engagement with policymakers and amplify the voice of Somali businesses. With support from the ILO's Bureau for Employers' Activities (ACT/EMP), the newly appointed committee members participated in a capacity-building webinar facilitated by an external consultant.
© ILO
The training provided practical guidance on how business membership organisations can succeed in advocacy, including:
- Designing and implementing effective advocacy strategies;
- Grounding policy positions in solid research and evidence;
- Identifying key stakeholders and building alliances; and
- Prioritising actions and evaluating impact.
- Presenting advocacy strategies as a national business agenda to ensure credibility and visibility.
Participants also learned from regional case studies featuring employers' organisations from South Sudan and Kenya, actively exchanging their own experiences.
SCCI's leadership, including Director General Abdi Abshir Dhoore and Vice President Abdirashid Ainshane, joined the session and commended the ILO's continuous support in strengthening the Chamber's capacity to represent and defend the interests of Somali employers.
For employers' organisations, effective advocacy is not just an activity - it is the pathway to shaping policies that foster a competitive, fair and sustainable business environment. SCCI leadership.
Founded in 1962, the SCCI has long served as a bridge between the private sector and the Somali government. After collapsing in 1991 with the fall of the central government, the Chamber was revived in 2012 as a voluntary non-governmental business association. Since 2019, it has been recognised by the ILO as Somalia's sole employer constituent, benefiting from ACT/EMP's ongoing technical assistance.
This latest milestone highlights SCCI's dedication to becoming a powerful advocate for Somali businesses and ensuring that the voices of employers are at the heart of national policy discussions.
