Food, dress and daily life
Khat (qaad) in Somalia: how much is imported, and what it does to health
Khat, called qaad or jaad in Somali, is a leaf chewed as a stimulant. Somalia imported $450.4 million of khat in 2025, more than the $404.3 million the federal government raised in domestic revenue that year. Most is flown in daily from Kenya, and more comes from Ethiopia. Studies link heavy chewing to sleeplessness, higher blood pressure and, in some users, psychosis.
What it is
Khat (Catha edulis) is a shrub whose fresh leaves are chewed for hours, often in company. Its main active substance, cathinone, works in the body much like a mild amphetamine. People chew it to feel alert, to fight tiredness on journeys, or to study for exams (Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal, WHO, 2007, 13(3): 706–718).
The leaves lose strength within days, so khat must be moved fast. Better air transport has spread fresh khat across the region and even to Europe (Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal 2007).
The import bill
- $450.4 million in 2025. That is what Somalia spent importing khat, by the National Economic Council's State of the Economy Report 2026, based on Central Bank data (Dawan, 27 October 2026).
- More than the government's own revenue. The federal government collected $404.3 million in domestic revenue that year (Dawan).
- Kenya. Most khat is Kenyan miraa, flown in by plane. Kenya says it exports 13 to 17 tonnes a day, and Somalia takes 80 to 90% of Kenya's miraa trade (Dawan).
- Ethiopia. Ethiopia also sells khat to Somalia. Its official exports to Somalia fell 35% to 2,580 tonnes in the first quarter of its 2025/26 fiscal year (Dawan).
- Politics. Somalia has at times banned or limited khat from one supplier during diplomatic disputes, including Ethiopian khat in 2024 (Dawan).
Khat is also one of the largest single sources of customs duty (Dawan). For the trade itself, see the khat trade.
Health effects
A WHO journal review of the research found (Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal 2007):
- Sleep. Sleeplessness is frequent among chewers.
- Heart. Chewing raises blood pressure and pulse for some hours.
- Mind. Heavy use has been linked to depression and, in some users, to psychosis, including paranoid psychosis.
- Diabetes. Chewers with diabetes are less likely to follow dietary advice, and the sweet drinks taken with khat can raise blood sugar.
How the law treats it
In Somalia khat is imported openly and taxed at customs (Dawan). The WHO Expert Committee on Drug Dependence reviewed khat in 2006 and decided it should not be placed under international control, judging its potential for abuse and dependence to be low (WHO, 34th report; University of Groningen, Global Health Law blog). Some countries ban it or its active substance. In the United States, cathinone is a Schedule I drug, and khat is treated the same way (US National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2007, archived).
Read more
- Somali food: what Somalis eat and drink each day.
- Health in Somalia: the national health numbers.
Sources
- Dawan (2026). Somalia spent $450.4m on khat imports in 2025, more than domestic revenue.
- Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal (2007). Review of the effects of khat chewing on health, 13(3): 706–718. WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean.
- WHO (2006). WHO Expert Committee on Drug Dependence: thirty-fourth report.
- US National Institute on Drug Abuse (2007). InfoFacts: khat, archived.
Sources
- Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal, WHO, 2007, 13(3): 706–718 · applications.emro.who.int
- Dawan, 27 October 2026 · dawan.africa
- WHO, 34th report · who.int
- University of Groningen, Global Health Law blog · rug.nl
- US National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2007, archived · webarchive.library.unt.edu
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Where this matters
- Muqdisho (Mogadishu) and BanaadirMogadishu (Muqdisho) is Somalia's capital and makes up the Banadir region, with about 2.97 million people in 20 districts.
- Hargeysa (Hargeisa) and Woqooyi GalbeedWoqooyi Galbeed is the north-western region that holds Hargeisa (Hargeysa) and the port of Berbera, with about 1 to 1.45 million people.
Same era
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- Birmingham (Somali diaspora)About 17,000 to 21,600 Somalis live in Birmingham (Census 2021), mostly in Nechells, Newtown, Small Heath and Alum Rock. History, work, health and ties home.
- Bristol (Somali diaspora)9,167 people in Bristol identified as Somali or Somalilander in Census 2021, the city's largest minority group. Where they live, work, housing, leaders and ties home.
- Calgary, Alberta, Canada2,845 people of Somali origin lived in Calgary at the 2021 Census, plus 890 in Brooks. How they came, who serves them and what they face.
- Denmark (Somali diaspora)21,885 people of Somali origin lived in Denmark in 2026, half born there. Numbers, history, work, permit reviews, and ties home.
- DjiboutiAbout 13,900 refugees from Somalia live in Djibouti (Aug 2026): numbers since 1990, Ali Addeh, Holl-Holl, the 2017 refugee law, Arta 2000 and 2025 returns.
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