The following recommendations are borne from a joint study conducted by Maanshiil Consult and Bureau of Planning of the Somali Regional State, Ethiopia. The study assesses the pattern of disparities in socioeconomic development at the district level in Somali Regional State. In order to get a clear picture of the prevailing disparity in the districts, a well-thought number of development indicators are analyzed separately and in combination. Districts are then classified into three development categories based on the outcome of this analysis. Data is obtained from regional bureaus who are formally asked to send filled per-determined indicators for the water, health, education, urban development, agriculture, and livestock sectors. Data for the rural road sector was excluded from this analysis as the data supplied by the Rural Roads Bureau was not consistent with the per-determined indicator requested from them. The data covers all the 93 districts of the region (except for the new two districts of Dhuunyar and Deymeed).We include city administrations in the analysis only when we have data for them, for instance when we compare secondary schools.

1. When allocating the budget for the upcoming year, it is prudent to prioritize the ‘low-hanging fruits’—those districts where essential facilities such as health centers, high schools, and water wells are lacking. These areas require immediate attention to bridge the gaps in education, healthcare, water and sanitation services. Additionally, if Bureaus are empowered to create their own development plans, it is crucial to inform bureau leaders about the disparities uncovered by the present study. By raising awareness, and demanding Bureau leaders to be fair in their budget allocation, we can collectively work toward equitable resource allocation and sustainable development across all districts.
2. The role of informed decision in the selection what development facility to commission and where it should be placed cannot be overstated. Making informed decisions during the site selection process for a new development facility is crucial for several reasons. When choosing a location, understanding the long-term goals of the project and evaluating whether the site can accommodate current and future demand of the community is a key consideration. Transparent research plays a pivotal role in development prioritization. It ensures that decisions are evidence-based, unbiased, and aligned with the government’s predefined objectives. Both the public and political decision makers should be aware of selection criteria to promote fairness, social cohesion, and sustainable development within the region. By prioritizing informed decisions, we create a foundation for successful projects that benefit the local community. Therefore, this analysis of development disparities across the Somali Region represents a positive step in the right direction. However, this effort should not conclude here. It is essential to conduct annual evaluations of development disparities. By doing so, subsequent year’s plans can be adjusted based on the identified disparities, ensuring that the annual regional plan accommodates new challenges and prioritizes equitable development.
3. The Bureau of Planning should make guideline/checklist that should be followed by woreda and regional cabinet when selecting new projects locations.
4. Different bureaus use different population figures. The inconsistency in population data, a key metric for level of development across districts, reporting underscores the need for a more unified and accurate approach to population enumeration within the region. Bureau of Planning should harmonise the conflicting figures and produce a single figure used across all institutions in the region.
5. In the realm of development planning, it is essential to recognize that certain elements—such as education and health—are universally required, while others are not. These fundamental pillars form the bedrock of societal progress and well-being. However, development is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. Context matters. While every district requires schools and health facilities, the suitability of a district for livestock markets varies. Not all areas necessitate such markets. Therefore, effective development planning should strike a balance: addressing universal needs of all districts while remaining sensitive to local context. By doing so, we create sustainable, inclusive, and resilient communities.
6. It is crucial to ensure that the Office of the President, the regional party office, and key decision-makers are fully informed about the findings from this gap analysis. By doing so, they can actively hold the regional bureaus accountable for addressing the identified disparities and prioritizing equitable development. Transparency and awareness at the highest levels of governance are essential for driving positive change and fostering responsible resource allocation.
7. Implementing accountability measures for regional bureau heads in resource allocation to districts can significantly mitigate inter-clan conflicts and grievances toward the government. When resources are distributed fairly, it fosters a sense of inclusivity—people perceive that the government serves all citizens, regardless of clan affiliations. Even in cases where a specific clan lacks representation in the regional cabinet, equitable resource distribution reinforces political representation. This way, clan-based tensions and disputes over counterproductive new settlements over common grazing lands would be minimized. By prioritizing fairness and responsible governance, we pave the way for social harmony and sustainable development.
8. It is also important to direct federal and international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) to follow the planning priorities of the region, as identified by the Bureau of Planning. Due attention should be given to federal projects with big investments to ensure optimal service for the most possible communities.
9. Distance to facility metric is an important parameter that should be used in planning. We have seen that water wells and health facilities if planned carefully can read a lot of population. The same should apply to huge federal projects. Electrification projects are examples where possible synergies could be leveraged by efficient use of distance metric. For example, substation with 132 KV reaching up to 120 km distance may not reach in Dollo-Addo if built inside Hargeelle town, and vice versa. But if the same substation is built 20 Km outside Hargeelle towards the road to Dollo-Addo, it can serve both towns and all the communities in between.
10. Woreda planning should reflect woreda basic development needs. Woreda plans should also be harmonised with the annual, 5-year and 10-year regional and federal plans.
11. While the majority part of our study focused on development facilities at the district level, we also recognized that certain critical facilities require substantial investment and cannot be uniformly distributed across every woreda (district). Consequently, it becomes imperative to shift our perspective to the zonal level. A prime example of this is the provision of hospitals. Remarkably, five out of the eleven zones in the region (Doollo, Daawa, Nogob, Erer and Afdheer) lack a single general hospital (one of the differences between a primary hospital and a general hospital is that while general hospitals have multiple specialised surgeons such as orthopaedic surgeon and general surgeon, primary hospitals only have one emergency surgical officer). By addressing these gaps at the zonal level, we can strategically allocate resources and prioritize essential services where they are most needed.
12. Enhancing both access to and the quality of primary education is paramount. While primary education is compulsory across the country, the study identified that certain population centers still grapple with inadequate education facilities. Urgent attention is needed to address this disparity and ensure that every child has equitable access to a robust educational foundation.
13. Some of the reported development facilities are not yet functional. Efforts must be intensified to ensure that boarding schools whose construction is on-going for the fifth year become operational without delay. While achieving functionality for all schools is ideal, prioritizing a subset that represents diverse geographic areas within the region is essential in 2017 E.C. By targeting specific locations, particularly those areas where there is high pastoral population, we can significantly enhance enrolment rates and provide much-needed educational opportunities.
14. Strategic investments play a pivotal role in regional development. Despite the abundant livestock resources in the Somali Regional State, a critical gap exists—the absence of a well-equipped standard animal disease laboratory. Currently, during disease outbreaks, samples must be sent all the way to Addis Ababa for testing and diagnosis. This process is not only time-consuming but also inefficient. Therefore, it is imperative that the Somali Regional State government takes proactive steps to establish a local laboratory. By doing so, we can swiftly respond to animal health emergencies, safeguard livelihoods, and promote sustainable livestock management within the region.
15. Evaluating the feasibility of implementing performance-based budgeting at the district level –perhaps as a pilot project in selected districts -is a crucial step toward efficient resource allocation. By piloting this approach in specific sectors—such as education—we can align funding with measurable outcomes and encourage accountability. Performance-based budgeting ensures that financial allocations are tied to actual results, fostering transparency and driving improvements in service delivery. It is essential to engage stakeholders, assess existing data, and tailor the approach to local contexts. Through this strategic initiative, districts can optimize their budget utilization and enhance the impact of public spending on essential services.
16. Empowering the local community to actively participate in identifying priority needs within their woreda (district) is crucial. By involving residents, we tap into their firsthand knowledge of challenges, aspirations, and specific requirements. Community-driven needs assessments before woreda budget approval ensure that development initiatives align with the actual demands of the people. Open town hall meetings, and participatory forums should be held to facilitate dialogue between community members, local leaders, and other development stakeholders. Town hall meetings allow for open discussions, consensus-building, and collective decision-making.
17. Awareness-raising activities are vital to dispel misconceptions and promote understanding. For instance, when introducing government-run development facilities—such as hospitals—it is essential to communicate that these services are not clan-specific but serve all citizens within the region. This is yet another way to decrease completion by districts over common resources. It may even encourage pooling of common resources by two adjacent districts to collectively construct common development facilities to be utilized by both districts.
18. Engaging the diaspora community—those who have migrated but maintain ties to their districts of origin—is a valuable resource. Their expertise, financial contributions, and networks can significantly impact development in a positive way. Implementing a reward system that recognizes and incentivizes diaspora members’ involvement can yield positive outcomes. This might include honorary titles, certificates of appreciation, or acknowledgment in community events. Additionally, creating channels for diaspora feedback and collaboration ensures their active participation.