Mogadishu, Somalia – December 9, 2025 – Today, on the observance of International Anti-Corruption Day (IACD), the Transparency Somalia Initiative (TSI) joins the global community in condemning the scourge of corruption and renews its urgent call for decisive action across all sectors of Somali society.
The theme for IACD 2025, “Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity,” resonates deeply with the challenges and opportunities facing Somalia. With nearly a quarter of the global population being youth, and as they are disproportionately affected by the consequences of corruption—such as limited access to quality education, scarce job opportunities, and restricted public services—their engagement is not just beneficial, but essential for a corruption-free future.
“Corruption in Somalia remains a critical barrier to stability, economic development, and public trust,” said Hassan Yusuf of TSI Director. “The alarming scores on global indices highlight the urgent need for comprehensive reforms and a genuine commitment from all stakeholders. We must empower our youth, the custodians of tomorrow’s integrity, to lead this charge.”
Key Calls to Action from Transparency Somalia Initiative
TSI calls upon the Federal Government of Somalia, Federal Member States, the private sector, and civil society to take immediate and concrete steps:
- Empower Youth: Establish formal, inclusive mechanisms for youth participation in anti-corruption policy development, oversight, and monitoring of public projects. Education on ethics and integrity must be a core component of the national curriculum.
- Strengthen Legal and Institutional Frameworks: Accelerate the implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy and ensure that the Anti-Corruption bodies are fully independent, adequately resourced, and empowered to prosecute cases without political interference.
- Enhance Transparency and Accountability: Demand full transparency in public financial management, including timely, complete, and audited public budgets. The government must embrace technology, such as open data platforms and digital services, to limit opportunities for graft.
- Protect Whistleblowers: Enact and rigorously enforce robust whistleblower protection laws to safeguard those who courageously report corruption and expose wrongdoing. Fear of reprisal is a major obstacle to accountability.
- Foster Collective Action: Encourage the private sector to adopt stringent anti-corruption compliance programs and collaborate with civil society to create a unified front against corruption.
TSI’s Commitment
Transparency Somalia Initiative remains dedicated to its mission of promoting integrity, accountability, and good governance across Somalia through research, policy advocacy, and capacity building. We will continue to work tirelessly to equip civil society and the government with the tools needed to combat corruption and foster a society where public resources are utilised for the benefit of all citizens.
We stand #UnitedAgainstCorruption and call on every Somali citizen to play their part in shaping a tomorrow where transparency and public trust prevail.