From conflict resilience to commodity transformation: Somalia and the Common Fund for Commodities to explore deeper cooperation
Brussels, 20 May 2026 — Ambassador Sheikh Mohammed Belal, Managing Director of the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC), paid a courtesy visit to the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Somalia in Brussels. During the visit, Ambassador Belal met with H.E. Dr. Khadija Ossoble Ali, Ambassador of Somalia to Belgium and the European Union. Ambassador Ali was assisted by Mr. Jaffar Jama, Deputy Head of Mission.
The meeting offered an opportunity to exchange perspectives on advancing the global development agenda, with particular emphasis on financing for development, commodity-dependent economies, and building resilience in vulnerable communities.
Ambassador Belal briefed Ambassador Ali on the CFC’s ongoing initiatives to support smallholder farmers, agri-SMEs, and commodity value chains across developing countries. He stressed the importance of ensuring that development finance reaches grassroots communities, where it can generate the greatest impact on livelihoods, income opportunities, and economic resilience.
The discussion also underscored the significance of the Sevilla Commitment and the need for practical, scalable solutions that foster value addition, inclusive growth, and sustainable development, particularly in least developed countries.
Ambassador Belal reiterated the high priority that the CFC attaches to Somalia as a conflict-affected Least Developed Country (LDC) with considerable untapped potential in agriculture and commodity value chains. He emphasized that Somalia remains a country of strategic importance for the CFC under its broader commitment to supporting vulnerable and underserved economies through inclusive commodity development and grassroots financing.
In this regard, Ambassador Belal assured all possible assistance from the CFC to explore options for organizing dedicated webinars, outreach activities, and technical engagement initiatives for Somali SMEs, producer organizations, and entrepreneurs to familiarize them with CFC financing opportunities, project preparation requirements, and innovative financing mechanisms. He also encouraged Ambassador Ali to motivate Somali SMEs and producer groups to continue submitting their best project ideas to the CFC for consideration and possible financing support.
Ambassador Ali expressed Somalia’s strong interest in deepening engagement with the Common Fund for Commodities and underscored the importance of introducing the CFC’s unique financing and development capabilities to Somali SMEs, farmers, producer groups, and entrepreneurs.
“Somalia highly values the transformative and people-centered vision being advanced by the Managing Director of the CFC, particularly the concept of ‘humanizing the value chains,’ which seeks to place farmers, women entrepreneurs, and local communities at the center of trade and development,” Ambassador Ali stated. “We are keen to work more closely with the CFC so that Somali SMEs and producers can better understand and benefit from the innovative financing opportunities and partnerships offered by the Fund. Somalia possesses immense untapped agricultural and commodity potential, and we believe stronger collaboration with the CFC can help unlock new opportunities for inclusive growth, resilience, and sustainable development.”
Both sides reaffirmed the importance of multilateral cooperation and strategic partnerships in addressing the widening financing gap and responding to an increasingly complex global economic landscape. They also acknowledged the importance of translating global development commitments into practical action that directly benefits communities at the grassroots level.
Ambassador Belal expressed his sincere appreciation to Ambassador Ali for taking the time to engage in a constructive dialogue despite a demanding schedule. Ambassador Ali, in turn, thanked Ambassador Belal for the fruitful exchange and welcomed the opportunity to continue discussions on areas of shared interest related to sustainable development.
Both Ambassadors agreed to remain in close contact and to explore further opportunities for strengthened cooperation between the Federal Republic of Somalia and the CFC.
For media inquiries, please contact:
[CFC Media Relations Team]
[Email: managing.director@common-fund.org]
[Phone: +31 20 575 4949]