Foreign Workers Filling Somali Jobs: Growing Outrage Over Youth Unemployment Crisis

Rising unemployment among young Somalis is fuelling growing frustration across the country, as reports emerge of foreign nationals taking up positions in key sectors of the economy.

Young Somalis in Mogadishu say they struggle to find work while foreign nationals fill available jobs.
A generation left behind

Youth unemployment in Somalia remains among the highest in the world, according to government data and independent economic studies. More than two-thirds of Somalis under 30 are jobless, despite many holding university or vocational qualifications.

At the same time, foreign workers — primarily from neighbouring East African nations and parts of Asia — have found employment in construction, telecommunications, hospitality and logistics.

“I studied accounting and business management. But every time I apply for a job, I’m told there’s already someone hired — often a foreigner. We are the future of this country, but we are being left behind.” — Abdirahman Mohamed, 25.

The role of foreign labour

Somalia’s recovering economy has drawn a modest influx of foreign workers in recent years. Improved security, donor-funded reconstruction and private investment have created new business opportunities in major cities.

Many of these foreign nationals, particularly from Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia and Bangladesh, work with international companies, NGOs or local firms backed by foreign capital. They are often brought in for technical or managerial roles requiring specific experience.

“Foreign workers are not the cause of unemployment, but they have become a visible symbol of inequality,” says Dr Amina Warsame, an economist at the Somali Public Policy Institute.

Growing public frustration

Public concern has reached parliament, where lawmakers have debated introducing stricter controls on foreign employment.

In a session held in September, several MPs demanded reforms to ensure Somali citizens are prioritised for jobs, accusing employers of exploiting loopholes in existing labour laws.

The Ministry of Labour has pledged to review its regulations. Officials say the government must strike a delicate balance — welcoming foreign investment while protecting domestic labour rights.

Skills and the education gap

Many experts argue that the roots of the problem lie in Somalia’s education system, which is often disconnected from market needs. “The education system needs to align with the economy,” says Professor Abdulkadir Elmi, an education consultant in Mogadishu.

Efforts to address this imbalance are under way. The UN Development Programme and International Labour Organization have launched initiatives offering vocational training in construction, renewable energy and business management, but such projects reach only a small fraction of the country’s unemployed youth.

National identity and economic sovereignty

Beyond the economic dimensions, the issue touches on national identity and sovereignty — highly sensitive themes in a country rebuilding from decades of conflict and state collapse.

Civil society groups warn that if youth unemployment remains unchecked, it could undermine social cohesion and security. “Youth frustration is not just an economic problem — it’s a security problem,” says Hodan Abdullahi, a youth advocate in Garowe.

Searching for solutions

The Somali government has outlined plans to promote local employment by encouraging investment in labour-intensive industries and supporting entrepreneurship. Officials have also appealed to the Somali diaspora to return and contribute to national development.

Private sector leaders say meaningful change will require more than rhetoric. “We must build an economy that works for Somalis,” says Ahmed Nur, a Mogadishu-based business owner. “That means investing in local talent, not just importing labour.”

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Tags: Somalia Youth unemployment Labour migration Governance