In a statement released on April 7, 2025, the Al-Kataib Foundation for Media Productions, the media arm of the militant group Al-Shabaab, has accused the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) of engaging in a “game of deception” regarding Somalia’s economic affairs. The group alleges that these international financial institutions, in collaboration with Western governments and compliant Somali leaders, have systematically exploited Somalia’s resources under the pretext of economic development.
Al-Shabaab announced the upcoming release of a documentary titled The World Bank and IMF’s Game of Deception, which aims to expose the purportedly detrimental economic roles these institutions have played in Somalia. The group claims that policies imposed by the World Bank and IMF have worsened poverty, hunger, and underdevelopment in the country. The documentary is set to be published in both Somali and English, with the intent of shedding light on what Al-Shabaab describes as decades of economic manipulation and neo-colonial exploitation.
These allegations echo previous claims made by former Somali parliamentarian Dr. Abdulahi Hashi Abib. Dr. Abib had publicly accused the IMF and World Bank of implementing policies that favoured foreign interests over Somali sovereignty. However, he did not provide concrete evidence to support his assertions, which were largely based on broad political rhetoric and vague references to debt relief programs and taxation policies. Dr. Abib’s credibility was further undermined when he lost his parliamentary seat after failing to attend two consecutive sessions of the Lower House, as confirmed by the Federal Parliament of Somalia.
Al-Shabaab’s adoption of Dr. Abib’s unsubstantiated claims appears to be part of a broader propaganda strategy aimed at undermining the legitimacy of Somalia’s federal government and its international partnerships. The group has long opposed foreign intervention in Somalia, often framing economic assistance from international institutions as a form of modern imperialism. In their recent statement, Al-Shabaab alleged that Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud had “offered” the country’s vital assets to foreign powers. However, these claims lack supporting evidence and raise questions about their timeliness and factual basis, particularly given that Donald Trump is no longer in office.
Contrary to Al-Shabaab’s narrative, Somalia’s economy has shown resilience and growth in recent years. According to the World Bank, Somalia’s economy grew by 2.4% in 2022 and was projected to grow by 3.1% in 2023, driven by improved weather conditions and policy reforms instituted by the government to reach the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Completion Point. The medium-term growth outlook remained modest, with growth projected at 3.7% in 2024 and 3.9% in 2025. This growth was supported by favourable rains in 2023 that led to a stronger-than-expected rebound of the agriculture sector, as well as a quick recovery in the livestock sector, with livestock exports increasing significantly. The Federal Government of Somalia also registered robust growth in domestic revenue, although it remained too low to finance increasing expenditure needs. Additionally, improved performance by Somalia’s banks signalled increasing confidence in the financial sector. projected real GDP growth at 3.7% in 2024 and 3.8% in 2025, attributing this to gradually increasing spending on infrastructure and social sectors, supported by an envisaged uptick in development financing after reaching the HIPC Completion Point. Growth was expected to be driven by agriculture and services on the supply side and private consumption and public investment on the demand side. Inflation was projected to decline to 4.8% in 2024 and 4.3% in 2025 due to improved agricultural production.
These positive economic indicators suggest that Somalia’s engagement with international financial institutions has contributed to economic stabilisation and growth, challenging Al-Shabaab’s portrayal of these organisations as detrimental to the country’s economic well-being. Analysts note that Al-Shabaab’s own actions, including attacks on businesses, infrastructure, and civilians, have significantly hindered Somalia’s economic development. By targeting ports, disrupting trade routes, and extorting local businesses, Al-Shabaab has inflicted considerable damage on Somalia’s economy.
The group’s condemnation of debt relief programs and taxation policies imposed by the IMF and World Bank contradicts the assessments of many Somali economists who argue that these programs, while imperfect, have been instrumental in stabilising Somalia’s fiscal management. Initiatives like the HIPC program have led to substantial debt forgiveness and increased donor confidence in Somalia’s economic reform process. The Somali government has also introduced tax reforms and budget transparency initiatives in coordination with international partners, aimed at enhancing governance and reducing corruption.
Al-Shabaab’s allegations that these reforms serve foreign interests rather than the Somali people lack empirical support. In fact, several local business leaders and civil society representatives have praised the increased oversight brought about by collaboration with international financial institutions. They note that while challenges remain, particularly in ensuring equitable distribution of resources and combating elite capture, the path forward lies in greater accountability and institutional development—not in rejecting international cooperation outright.
Political observers also question the motives behind reviving Dr. Abib’s unfounded claims. The former MP’s alignment with conspiracy theories and his failure to participate in the legislative process raise concerns that his ideas are being used by extremist groups to bolster their anti-government narrative. While Dr. Abib has not publicly affiliated himself with Al-Shabaab, the group’s amplification of his views could signal an attempt to co-opt disillusioned political voices and exploit public frustration for its own ideological purposes.
The release from Al-Kataib ends with a call to Somali scholars, intellectuals, and businessmen to reject the current economic model and engage with the documentary’s narrative. However, given the group’s violent history and rejection of democratic norms, it is unlikely that such appeals will gain traction among Somalia’s
