July 8, 2025
Examining Benadir Regional Administration (BRA) Tax Revenue: Types, Legal Frameworks, Collection Methods, and Service Provision
Establishing governance in general—and fiscal governance mechanisms in particular—has been the mainstay of state-building efforts in Somalia. This has been backed and championed by the donor community since the country transitioned to a permanent government in 2012 under a federal model, following years of transitional governments from 2000 to 2012. Though these efforts were incremental in nature, they yielded commendable results, as they led to the enactment of legal frameworks and systems pertinent to public financial management at both federal and federal member state levels, enhancing revenue generation and accountability.
However, the Benadir Regional Administration (BRA)—which is home to the largest population in the country (over 2 million people), the seat of the federal government, and the main service destination for people from different parts of the country— has remained aloof from efforts to establish fiscal governance. The large population and concentration of economic activities present enormous revenue potential for the BRA, and it has been involved in revenue generation—gradually increasing—since the installation of the Transitional Federal Government led by the late Col. Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed. However, there is limited transparency around the revenues that the region collects, no tangible public services delivered in return for the taxes paid, and, strikingly, no accountability for where the money is being spent.
Somali Public Agenda undertook this in-depth study to investigate BRA revenue generation, with particular focus on the types and sources of BRA revenue, legal frameworks justifying revenue collection, BRA tax communication patterns, the behaviour of BRA tax collectors and public perceptions, tax payment dynamics and methods, challenges to BRA tax collection, and sources of BRA revenue expenditure.
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Thank you for sharing this important research. As someone who cares deeply about governance and accountability in Somalia, I found it very insightful. The Benadir Regional Administration has a huge responsibility, especially since Mogadishu is home to millions and serves as the center of the federal government. But it’s concerning that even with all the taxes collected, people don’t see enough services in return. There should be more transparency on how revenue is collected, used, and how it benefits the public. I hope this kind of study leads to real changes that improve public trust and service delivery.
Muno Omar Fiyasko