Pakistani international lawyer and policy advisor expands his advisory work in Somaliland, with a focus on legal and regulatory development, international cooperation and institutional engagement
Hargeisa, Somaliland – The Somaliland National Insurance Authority (SLNIA) (Somali: Hay’adda Caymiska Qaranka Somaliland) has appointed Pakistani international lawyer, journalist and policy advisor Abdul Rafay Afzal as Special Advisor for International Cooperation & Media Diplomacy, expanding his advisory work with Somaliland government institutions.
The appointment, formalised on 11 August 2026, follows Afzal’s legal and regulatory engagement with the Authority and marks his second Special Advisor role in Somaliland after his earlier appointment to the Ministry of Energy and Minerals.
Afzal has worked with the National Insurance Authority on the development of Somaliland’s insurance regulatory framework, including legal and regulatory instruments aimed at strengthening the country’s developing insurance sector. His work has involved areas of insurance law, regulatory policy, institutional governance and policy development, alongside wider international cooperation.
The National Insurance Authority is Somaliland’s statutory regulator and supervisor of the insurance industry, responsible for the administration, supervision and regulation of insurance business and for safeguarding policyholders. The Authority operates under Somaliland’s national insurance legal framework and has been working to strengthen regulation and support the sustainable development of the sector.
Afzal’s appointment comes as Somaliland continues developing the legal and institutional foundations of its insurance market and seeking greater engagement with international regulators, development institutions, investors and technical partners.
In his advisory capacity, his work is expected to combine his background in law and regulatory policy with international cooperation and institutional engagement, particularly in supporting stronger external partnerships and the international positioning of the Authority.
Second Advisory Appointment in Somaliland
The latest appointment builds on Afzal’s existing work with the Ministry of Energy and Minerals of the Republic of Somaliland, where he was appointed Special Advisor for International Cooperation & Media Diplomacy in January 2026.
His appointment to the Ministry was formalised on January 2026, with a mandate centred on international cooperation and external engagement in Somaliland’s energy and minerals sectors. The appointment was subsequently reported by international media.
Through his work with the Ministry, Afzal has been involved in efforts related to international institutional cooperation, investment engagement, strategic partnerships and capacity-building, particularly as Somaliland seeks to develop its energy and mineral resources and expand links with institutions abroad.
His appointment to SLNIA broadens that government advisory portfolio into the financial and insurance regulatory sector, giving his work in Somaliland a stronger legal, regulatory and economic-policy dimension.
The two appointments place Afzal across areas increasingly important to Somaliland’s development agenda — from energy and mineral resources to insurance regulation, investment protection and institutional development.
Focus on Law, Regulation and International Cooperation
A lawyer with a professional focus spanning international law, regulatory affairs and public policy, Afzal has increasingly combined legal work with government and institutional advisory assignments.
His involvement with SLNIA has included legal and regulatory work connected with establishing a more comprehensive framework for the insurance industry, as Somaliland seeks to strengthen regulatory certainty, policyholder protection and the institutional governance of the sector.
A functioning insurance regime is also important to Somaliland’s wider investment environment. SLNIA itself has highlighted the role of insurance in reducing investment risk, increasing business confidence and supporting both domestic and foreign investment.
The Authority has also pursued international engagement with institutions and technical organisations as part of efforts to develop the sector, including recent engagement on institutional cooperation and insurance-sector development.
Afzal’s appointment therefore brings together two areas of his professional work: legal and regulatory development on one side, and international institutional cooperation on the other.
For Somaliland’s National Insurance Authority, the appointment adds international legal, policy and cooperation expertise as the regulator continues the development of a modern and credible insurance framework.
