Somalia is currently straddled between two starkly contrasting realities: one filled with potential and aspiration, the other steeped in despair and disillusionment. It’s a disconcerting paradox that calls for our immediate attention. Despite having one of the youngest populations globally, Somalia struggles with an alarming rate of youth unemployment. As we pause to reflect on Somalia’s journey since its independence in 1960, it’s unmistakably evident that the unfinished work of liberation is not confined to mere borders or electoral processes. It extends to the vital task of constructing a future where young individuals have compelling reasons to remain, to contribute, and to emerge as leaders in their communities.
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The Youth Surge: Crisis in Waiting or Opportunity in Disguise?
The statistics from the United Nations are striking: a staggering proportion of Somalia’s population is under 30, and an overwhelming two-thirds of these youths are unemployed. This situation is not simply a marginal issue; it stands as the defining challenge of our era. In a nation where almost one-third of individuals belong to the youth demographic, the absence of jobs, vocational skills, and meaningful choices transcends the realm of development. It inevitably poses a significant security risk.
Remember the Arab Spring? The uprisings in Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya weren’t merely reactions to political oppression; they were fueled by economic discontent, particularly among educated youth yearning for opportunities that seemed perpetually out of reach. Somalia must heed this historical lesson. When young people perceive that they lack a stake in society, feel voiceless, and see no promising future on the horizon, the alternatives that loom large—extremism, mass migration, and violence—may become enticing possibilities.
Economic Prosperity as a Security Strategy
Historically, Somalia’s struggle with insecurity has been framed in military or political contexts. Yet, beneath these surface discussions, lies a pressing economic battle. In regions bereft of job opportunities and educational avenues, the allure of a steady paycheck—regardless of its source—can become overwhelmingly captivating. After all, a job can hold more power than any abstract ideology.
Investing in our youth is not merely a luxury or a symbolic act; it’s an essential national security strategy. Where jobs and dignity flourish, peace prevails. The inverse is equally true: without these foundations, instability can thrive.
A Blueprint for Youth Empowerment: Policy Prescriptions for Jobs and Stability
Tackling the myriad challenges facing Somalia’s youth demands concerted, sustained efforts. This endeavor must involve the government, development partners, the private sector, and civil society. Genuine progress hinges upon elevating high-level commitments to genuine, actionable strategies that carve out meaningful opportunities for young individuals. Here are some proposed policy prescriptions, some of which have already seen the light of day in varying degrees:
1. Launch a National Youth Employment Strategy
This initiative ought to be a central, coordinated effort across multiple ministries and regions, complete with clear targets and timelines. Essential elements should include:
- Public works programs aimed at immediate job creation.
- Apprenticeships facilitated through small businesses and governmental entities.
- Expansion of vocational training programs tailored to meet both local and global labor market needs.
2. Support Youth Entrepreneurship
Somalia’s youth are not passively waiting for opportunities; they are eager and hungry for them. Both the government and international donors should:
- Offer seed grants and micro-financing for youth-led startups.
- Implement tax incentives and dismantle bureaucratic barriers for enterprises owned by youth.
- Establish innovation hubs and entrepreneurship accelerators, catering to both urban and rural landscapes.
3. Align Education with Labor Market Needs
We find ourselves in a situation where too many graduates are entering a labor market that undervalues their qualifications. It is crucial to:
- Reform educational curricula to emphasize critical thinking, entrepreneurship, and practical skills.
- Ensure greater access to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs.
- Create partnerships between educational institutions and businesses to establish job placement pipelines.
4. Harness the Digital and Green Economies
The future landscape of work in Somalia, much like the rest of the world, is leaning towards digitalization and sustainability. We must prepare our youth for these transitions by training them in:
- Information and Communication Technology (ICT), artificial intelligence, digital marketing, and e-commerce.
- Climate-resilient practices in agriculture and renewable energy sectors.
Support for youth-led green businesses should include targeted subsidies and competitions aimed at fostering innovation.
5. Create a National Youth Peace and Development Corps
Drawing inspiration from civic service programs in other post-conflict nations, a Somali Youth Corps could:
- Engage youth in rebuilding infrastructure, educating in rural schools, and assisting with local governance.
- Provide stipends, leadership development opportunities, and instruction in peacebuilding and conflict resolution.
Such a program would not only instill a sense of national pride but also create jobs and diminish the attraction of extremist recruitment.
6. Institutionalize Youth Voice in Governance
It’s imperative that youth councils, student unions, and grassroots movements are formally included in the policy-making process. The government should:
- Establish a National Youth Advisory Council that connects to the President’s office.
- Mandate the inclusion of youth in local government planning efforts.
- Ensure youth quotas on public boards and development councils.
7. Leverage the Somali Diaspora
The Somali diaspora is a reservoir of skills, networks, and capital. A “Return to Serve” initiative could:
- Offer short-term placement opportunities in governmental ministries, startups, and academic institutions.
- Facilitate mentorship, co-investment efforts, and knowledge sharing.
- Establish digital platforms to connect diaspora youth with projects in Somalia.
For instance, thousands of young Somalis in the U.S. graduate annually from prestigious universities located in areas with significant diaspora communities, such as Minnesota and Ohio. How can this wellspring of talent and knowledge be harnessed to foster genuine mentorship for local youths?
Building Momentum: Somalia’s Emerging Youth Employment Strategies
Recent initiatives in Somalia are making progress in addressing youth unemployment through the expansion of vocational training and entrepreneurial support. The European Union’s IMPACT project, initiated in 2025, seeks to equip 12,500 youth and adults with marketable green skills, while augmenting 25 TVET centers across Somalia. Similarly, the German-funded TVET+ initiative, running from 2021 to 2026, aims to develop a hub network in Galkayo, Jowhar, and Baidoa, integrating vocational training with business services. Additionally, UNICEF’s UPSHIFT program empowers marginalized youth to start sustainable businesses by offering mentorship, entrepreneurial training, and seed funding.
To build on these efforts, a scalable approach focused on equitable access, robust public-private partnerships, customized curricula, and nurturing youth-led startups is essential for establishing sustainable pathways to employment.
Independence Means Nothing Without Opportunity
When the Somali Youth League (SYL) envisioned independence in 1960, it was not just about shaking off colonial chains. They sought a new social contract—one where Somali youth could truly shape their destinies. Today, that ideal remains unfulfilled. Far too many young Somalis see their only glimmer of dignity in leaving the country or resorting to violence.
Yet, it doesn’t have to remain this way.
With visionary leadership and political commitment, Somalia can turn the tide. It can evolve into a land where education begets opportunity; where young individuals are not burdens to be managed, but rather a vibrant generation to be empowered. As we honor 65 years of independence, let this be the moment we finally acknowledge that the future of Somalia lies not solely in the might of its security forces, but in the capacity of its youth to envision and create a brighter tomorrow.
The time for action isn’t tomorrow; it is right now.
Mohamed Ibrahim is the CFO at Gargaara Finance Limited and former Economic and Financial Policy Advisor to the Office of the Prime Minister of Somalia. He possesses deep expertise in banking, development finance, entrepreneurship, and investment. The perspectives expressed herein reflect his own views.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring
