Building Resilience, One Family at a Time

At Baxnaano, we believe that lasting change begins with opportunity , the chance to rebuild, to dream again, and to shape a better future for our children.

Since 2019, the Baxnaano Program has stood as a beacon of hope for vulnerable families across Somalia. The word “Baxnaano” means “uplift” in Somali, and that’s exactly what we’ve set out to do — uplift lives, restore dignity, and spark long-term resilience in communities that have faced years of hardship.

Our Beginning: From Emergency Relief to Long-Term Stability

Somalia has faced decades of conflict, drought, and displacement. For too long, support came in waves — emergency aid that kept people alive but didn’t always help them stand on their own feet. That’s where Baxnaano came in.

In 2019, the Federal Government of Somalia, with support from the World Bank, launched the Baxnaano Program as the country’s first national social safety net. Our goal was simple but bold: to move beyond short-term aid and build a foundation for resilience.

We started small, reaching about 200,000 of the poorest and most vulnerable families with regular, predictable cash transfers. But what we saw in return was anything but small. The results were life-changing.

What Makes Baxnaano Different

We’ve learned something powerful through our work, help doesn’t always mean handouts. True empowerment comes when people gain control over their own choices.

Here’s what sets Baxnaano apart:

• Direct Cash Transfers: Families receive regular, unconditional cash support to spend as they see fit. Whether it’s food, education, or small business needs , the decision lies with them.
• Digital Payments: We’ve modernized how aid is delivered through secure digital systems that reduce leakage and ensure transparency.
• Focus on Women: The majority of our beneficiaries are women, mothers, caregivers, and breadwinners who use these funds to nurture their families and communities.
• Nationwide Reach: From Puntland to Jubaland, Baxnaano operates across Somalia, adapting to local needs while maintaining national impact.

Every payment represents more than financial aid, it’s a vote of confidence in a family’s ability to plan their future.

Stories of Strength and Change

Behind every statistic lies a human story — stories of resilience, courage, and progress.

Take Amina, a mother of five in Baidoa. Before Baxnaano, Amina struggled to keep food on the table. When the cash transfers began, she invested in small-scale trading selling tea and snacks near her home. Within months, her business grew, and so did her children’s smiles.

“I used to worry about school fees,” she told us. “Now, I can pay on time and even save a little.”

Then there’s Hassan, a father in Kismayo who lost his livelihood during drought. With Baxnaano’s support, he purchased livestock and slowly rebuilt his herd. “It felt like someone believed in me again,” he says.

These stories aren’t exceptions,they’re becoming the norm. Across the country, families are turning small beginnings into sustainable change.

Building Systems That Last

Baxnaano isn’t just about cash. It’s about building systems that endure.

We’ve invested heavily in the foundations of a modern social protection system, the kind Somalia can sustain long after donor support transitions out. That means:

• Unified Beneficiary Registry (UBR): A single national database that ensures fairness and transparency in who receives support.
• Digital Payment Platforms: Strengthening Somalia’s financial infrastructure while promoting accountability.
• Monitoring & Evaluation Systems: Regular assessments help us learn, adapt, and improve with each phase.

These structures might sound technical, but they’re the reason Baxnaano has become a model of efficiency and integrity.

When Crisis Strikes, We Respond

The true test of any program comes during crisis. In 2022, Somalia faced one of its worst droughts in decades. Millions were on the brink of famine.

Baxnaano stepped up-fast. Through the Drought Early Action Program, we expanded our reach, delivering emergency cash to 600,000 additional families affected by the crisis.

This was more than humanitarian response, it was a proof of concept. It showed that when systems are in place, help can arrive quickly and efficiently, saving lives and livelihoods.

Empowering Women, Empowering Communities

One of the proudest aspects of Baxnaano’s journey is how it empowers women.

Over 70% of our beneficiaries are women, and that’s no accident. We know that when women control household resources, entire communities benefit.

Many women have used their payments to start micro-businesses, send children to school, or invest in clean water and nutrition. These choices ripple outward, improving education, health, and stability for generations to come.

As one mother in Hargeisa put it: “When I receive the message that the payment has arrived, it feels like hope just landed on my phone.” 🙂

Partnerships That Power Progress

No success story is written alone. Baxnaano thrives because of strong collaboration between the Federal Government of Somalia, Member States, the World Bank, and dedicated implementation partners across the country.

Together, we’re not just distributing cash, we’re laying the foundation for Somalia’s future social protection system.

This collective effort is what makes Baxnaano sustainable, scalable, and credible.

Looking Ahead: The Next Chapter

As we move forward, Baxnaano is evolving. We’re expanding our coverage, integrating nutrition and education linkages, and exploring new innovations like digital ID verification and climate-responsive safety nets.

Our mission remains the same: to ensure that every Somali family, no matter where they live, has the support they need to weather life’s challenges and pursue their dreams.

Because at the heart of it all, Baxnaano isn’t just a program. It’s a promise, a promise of dignity, hope, and opportunity.

Our Promise Continues

We’ve seen what’s possible when communities are trusted to lead their own transformation. And we’re just getting started.

To every partner, community leader, and family who’s been part of this journey , thank you. Together, we’re building a Somalia that stands taller, stronger, and more self-reliant than ever before.

After all, isn’t that what “Baxnaano” truly means? To lift, to rise, and to move forward, hand in hand.