Corruption allegations and $3.27 million discrepancy raise questions over Somalia's Civil Aviation Authority

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Official reports and documents have raised questions over procurement procedures, private contracts and financial oversight at Somalia’s Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA), as the government seeks to develop the country’s aviation sector.

A report by Somalia’s Auditor General said the SCAA entered procurement agreements worth a combined $2.07 million that were not registered with the Auditor General’s office. The audit said the failure to register government contracts weakened transparency and accountability and hindered oversight of public spending. One documented contract was worth $12,532 and involved One Complete Services Ltd.

The audit also highlighted a significant discrepancy in government revenue from Aden Adde International Airport. Under the airport concession agreement, the government is entitled to 25% of gross revenue earned by Favori LLC, the private operator. Favori reported revenue of about $29.71 million in 2025, which would have generated roughly $7.43 million for the government, while government records showed receipts of only about $4.15 million — a difference of approximately $3.27 million.

The discrepancy relates to the government’s concession agreement with Favori and does not, by itself, establish direct responsibility by the SCAA. The Auditor General nevertheless said the gap affected the completeness and accuracy of reported government concession revenue. Separately, unverified allegations have emerged over the construction of an airport gate and subsequent intervention by Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency, or NISA, issues that would require an official investigation.

Further questions concern the authority’s management and aviation infrastructure, including the procurement, maintenance and replacement of ageing safety-critical equipment. The 2025 federal audit reviewed compliance across 22 federal institutions, focusing on procurement, personnel, assets and internal controls. The findings underscore the need for greater transparency over how aviation equipment is acquired, maintained and replaced.

Questions have also been raised over the tenure of SCAA Director General Ahmed Moallim Hassan, who was appointed acting director in 2018 and formally confirmed on June 22, 2020. If Law No. 28 governing the authority provides for a four-year term renewable once, his second term would have expired in June 2024 unless a formal extension or reappointment was granted. The procurement findings, revenue discrepancy, and questions over the leadership’s legal mandate are likely to fuel calls for greater accountability within Somalia’s aviation regulator.

GAROWE ONLINE