The Somali Integrated Household Budget Survey Report(SIHBS) was officially launched by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on February 20, 2023. (SIBHS). The event, which took place at an airport hangar in Mogadishu, was live-streamed on the NBS’s Facebook and YouTube pages.
The keynote speakers comprised the deputy prime minister, H.E. Salah Jama, Minister of Planning, Investment, and Economic Development, H.E. Mohamud Abdirahman Sheikh Farah (Beene-Beene), Minister of Finance, H.E. Dr. Elmi M. Nur, the Governor of the Central Bank, H.E. Abdirahaman M. Abdullahi, World Bank Country Manager Somalia, Kristina Svensson, SNBS Director General, Sharmarke Farah, and SNBS Deputy Director General Abdirahman Dahir.
Speaking at the launch, the deputy prime minister praised the NBS for their efforts in collecting the data, describing it as a reflection of Somalia’s institutional reform progress.
“By conducting the Somali Household Budget Survey, Somalia was not merely fulfilling an IMF/WB requirement to reach the Completion Point of Debt Relief. It was a considered government effort to obtain reliable data via which all policies and programs are anchored. The work the SNBS is doing is a reflection of the progress in Somalia’s institutional reforms,” Jama said.
“I would like to commend the National Bureau of Statistics for the successful attainment of this momentous milestone. Every individual and household or nation needs a plan to actualize their aspirations. And for every plan to succeed, it must be founded on accurate data. I also acknowledge our development partners, including the WB and IMF for supporting Somalia’s development agenda,” he added.
According to H.E. Beenebeene, the survey will provide the government with accurate data that will inform government plans, programs, and priorities. He went on to say that the survey would aid in the development of a comprehensive strategy to alleviate poverty in the country.
Miss Svensson elaborated on the importance of the survey data in supporting and informing Somalia’s development approaches, as well as improving the living standards of all Somalis.
This survey, launched in 2018, aims to improve gross domestic product (GDP) estimates. It was also regarded as a necessary step toward the completion of Somalia’s debt relief. The data will be used to compile the commodity basket and commodity weightings for a new consumer price index (CPI) that will be used to measure inflation.
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