The study is supported by the results of a rapid firm level survey, providing qualitative insight on issues such as access to financial markets, power, corruption and trade, from which the authors can understand how the private sector views the ‘risks’ and ‘rewards’ framework in Somalia, and importantly, how public private dialogue can be improved. The principal objective of the study is therefore to document the current state of the private sector; assess the key challenges facing the operations of private sector; the state economic regulations and the government’s involvement in major economic activities and sectors; as well as the promotion and facilitation of private sector investments, and generation of a productive employment.