Ali Halane

Somalia faces a persistent trade deficit with Kenya and Ethiopia, partly due to the massive spending on importing khat. Every month, millions of dollars leave the country in cash to fund this trade, draining the Somali economy while enriching farmers and traders in the neighboring countries.

Regardless of the ongoing debate about khat, an important question arises: why isn’t it cultivated locally? With available technology and agricultural expertise, Somalia can turn this economic burden into a domestic source of income, helping to keep these millions within the national economy.

Khat consumption is deeply rooted in Somali society, with a significant portion of adult men using it regularly. Estimates suggest that Somalia imports khat worth hundreds of millions of dollars annually from Kenya and Ethiopia. This import creates a severe trade imbalance, as money is sent abroad without generating any tangible economic benefit for the country. Therefore, it is time to consider securing local sources for khat.

In a country suffering from economic instability, unemployment, and underdeveloped infrastructure, continuously injecting this massive wealth into neighboring economies without any return is unnecessary. The funds spent on importing khat could be redirected towards local agricultural development, job creation, and funding projects that support this sector.

The idea of cultivating and domesticating khat in Somalia is not only feasible but also offers significant economic benefits. The country’s fertile land and suitable climate provide ideal conditions for large-scale khat cultivation. Instead of relying on expensive imports, Somalia can develop a self-sufficient khat industry, creating income for local farmers, traders, and businesses.

Moreover, modern agricultural technology can enhance productivity, ensuring that Somali farmers can produce high-quality khat that competes with imported varieties. This would reduce dependence on foreign suppliers while keeping revenue within the national economy. In a later stage, Somalia could even export khat to Kenya, Ethiopia, and Djibouti through bilateral trade agreements.

Additionally, cultivating khat locally allows for market regulation and taxation, opening a new source of government revenue. These funds could be reinvested into vital sectors such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

One of the strongest arguments in favor of cultivating khat locally is its immense potential for job creation. Agriculture is one of the most vital economic sectors in Somalia, and khat farming could provide employment for thousands of people, from rural farmers to urban traders, just as it does in neighboring countries like Kenya, Ethiopia, and Yemen.

In contrast, importing khat from Kenya, Ethiopia, and Yemen creates jobs in those countries while leaving Somali youth unemployed. By shifting to local production, Somalia can reduce unemployment, empower local communities, and stimulate economic growth and reverse trade imbalance.

Furthermore, a domestic khat industry would encourage the development of supporting businesses such as packaging, transportation, and distribution. This means that money will be reinvested within the country, creating a positive economic impact across multiple sectors.

Opponents of khat cultivation or consumption may argue against it from a religious and moral standpoint, citing Islamic jurisprudential views that, in some cases, classify it as prohibited or haram. While this position is understandable and yet controversial, it does not change the reality that khat is already widely consumed in Somalia, and there is no indication that this will change in the foreseeable future. Therefore, the current situation allows foreign producers to profit from Somali consumers without any economic benefit to the country itself.

If khat is indeed harmful, permitting its importation while rejecting its local cultivation is an illogical contradiction. A complete ban on imports would be more consistent with this stance than allowing foreign suppliers to dominate the market while denying Somali farmers a fair opportunity to compete.

From a regulatory perspective, local khat cultivation provides an opportunity for stricter oversight. If khat is produced domestically, authorities can establish health and safety standards and implement harm reduction strategies. The current unregulated import-dependent market makes it difficult to enforce any effective policies.

The idea of cultivating khat locally may challenge conventional thinking, but Somalia needs innovative solutions to its economic challenges. Many developing countries have successfully turned controversial crops into legitimate sources of income by regulating them and imposing taxes, rather than leaving them in the hands of unregulated traders or allowing imports to dominate the market.

For instance, Ethiopia has developed a highly organized and profitable khat industry, generating substantial revenue through exports. Similarly, Kenya benefits from the khat trade, using its revenues to fund public services. Meanwhile, Somalia remains in a contradictory state—widely consuming khat while deriving no economic benefit from it.

 A Call for Pragmatism

Regardless of personal views on khat consumption, the economic reality is undeniable: Somalia loses millions of dollars every month by importing khat instead of producing it locally. The financial burden of these imports contributes to economic stagnation, unemployment, and trade imbalances.

Local khat cultivation offers a practical solution that aligns with Somalia’s economic interests. Through domestic production, jobs can be created, local businesses can be stimulated, markets can be regulated, and national wealth can be retained.

Rather than clinging to an impractical model that enriches other economies at Somalia’s expense, policymakers should consider a more strategic approach—one that maximizes economic benefits while addressing social concerns through responsible regulation. The question is not whether khat should exist in Somalia, but whether Somalia will remain a passive consumer or take control of its own economic destiny.

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Ali Halane is a Somali journalist, and co-founder of DAWAN Media Group. He can be reached at: Halane@serapione.com.