High youth unemployment—estimated between 60–67%—has left many young people struggling to find formal work.

Yet, amid these challenges, Somali youth are turning to entrepreneurship, finding innovative ways to create livelihoods, drive economic growth, and even foster peace.

With few formal job opportunities, many young Somalis are starting their own businesses in sectors like retail, transport, technology, agriculture, and creative industries.

By leveraging mobile technology, digital finance, and e-commerce, youth-led startups are solving local problems—from food delivery to online education—demonstrating the role of young innovators in rebuilding the economy.

This week on Baraarug Podcast, we meet Fardowsa Mohamed Ali, a young university graduate from Mogadishu who founded her own event management company.

Fardowsa shared with Baraarug how difficult it was to access investment.

“I tried to get a loan from banks, but it wasn’t possible,” she explained. Instead, she turned to local wholesalers in Mogadishu, negotiating to buy products in small quantities that she could resell through the events she managed. “That way, I could be their loyal customer and still make a profit,” she said.

As the eldest child in her family, Fardowsa struggled to find a job after graduating, making it difficult to support herself and her family.

Today, her small company is thriving. She spoke with Anfa Aden Abdi of Baraarug, sharing the story of how determination and creativity helped her turn challenges into opportunity.

The post Somali Youth Turning Challenges into a Startup: Fardowsa Mohamed Ali’s Journey in Mogadishu appeared first on Kaab TV.

The discussion highlighted how these struggles are directly contributing to high unemployment rates among youth and women.

Community members, including elders, women, young people, and internally displaced persons, took part in the dialogue alongside government officials, aiming to find sustainable solutions. 

The Jubaland state government says it cannot address youth unemployment on its own, describing it as a broader issue affecting all of Somalia.

Speaking at the SJS Baraarug Forum, the Director of the Ministry of Youth and Sports in Jubaland Abdullahi Awer said that a new regulation currently being developed aims to tackle the lack of skills among young people—one of the key factors contributing to unemployment.

However, the official noted that Jubaland relies heavily on donor funding and that the state lacks the financial capacity to independently address the youth unemployment crisis.

Youth who participated in the discussion emphasized that there is a widespread mismatch between the skills being taught to young people and the actual needs of the local job market as well restrictions and insecurity affecting young entrepreneurs willing to start business and create jobs.

The post Lack of Local Innovation and Skills Linked to Youth and Women Unemployment in Somalia appeared first on Kaab TV.

The episode centered on Puntland — the northeastern federal state of Somalia — which has become a beacon of hope in the nation’s decades-long struggle for democratic governance.

Background

In 2023, Puntland made history by holding the country’s first one-person, one-vote local elections in over half a century — a major milestone in Somalia’s journey toward democracy.

While the process faced fierce resistance, including violent clashes in the capital, Garowe where 36 people were killed, after armed opposition groups attempted to derail the vote, the local government elections were successfully concluded in July 2024.

More recently, the Puntland Electoral Commission unveiled a five-year strategic plan aimed at deepening democratic governance through full-scale presidential and parliamentary elections.

The roadmap, if implemented, could reshape political representation in the region, especially for groups historically excluded from decision-making — including women, youth, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and marginalized communities.

To assess the significance and the challenges of this democratic opening, Kaab TV convened a diverse panel of guests:

• Khadra Mohamed Hassan, a member of the Garowe City Council and one of only five women elected out of 33 councilors;
• Mohamud Hussein Jama, a young councilor representing Goldogob city, Mudug region;
• Hawo Mohamed, a women’s rights activist and director at the Puntland Ministry of Information; and
• Hussein Abdisalam Mohamed, a youth rights advocate deeply involved in civic awareness initiatives.

Youth: The Heartbeat of Democratic Change

According to Hussein Abdisalam, Puntland’s democratization is largely a product of youth-led demand for political participation and change.

“Eighty percent of voters in Puntland are young people,” Hussein said. “That’s exactly what we need — young blood leading us and shifting outdated norms. It’s a great step toward a greater Puntland.”

Mohamud Hussein Jama echoed this optimism but recalled the skepticism he encountered when he first decided to run for office in 2023.

“Older candidates tried to discourage me by citing the dangers of politics — terrorism, threats, even death. But I believed they were using fear to maintain the status quo,” he said. “Now, I can confidently say that the youth representatives across Puntland’s district councils — all 942 of us — are making a real impact on governance.”

Women’s Participation: Progress Amid Persistent Barriers

While the elections marked a breakthrough for many, women candidates still faced a unique set of obstacles.

Khadra Mohamed Hassan, one of the few elected female councilors, described the campaign trail as a challenging battleground.

“Standing before the public and asking for their votes was difficult,” she said. “Ironically, most of the voters were women and young people. But as a woman candidate, I lacked the financial resources and community support to compete fairly. Every step of my campaign involved overcoming barriers — social, economic, and political.”

Hawo Mohamed emphasized another systemic barrier: the complete absence of women-led political parties.

“All political parties in Puntland are formed and led by men,” she said. “This reality, combined with clan-based politics, reduces democratic competition to a tribal affair rather than a contest of ideas and policies.”

She criticized how tribal affiliations continue to dominate electoral campaigns, sidelining merit and marginalizing groups like women and youth. “Tribalism shouldn’t be allowed to shape or interfere with the democratization process,” she warned.

The Challenge of Electoral Reforms

The panel also raised concerns about the evolving legal framework governing elections in Puntland.

Hawo recounted how some electoral law changes risked undermining women’s political participation.

“When the new electoral regulations were passed, we were against them,” she said. “We lobbied the election commission and even mobilized public protests. At one point, we had to discourage women from voting as a form of resistance. In some districts, only one in three candidates was a woman — a clear disadvantage under the one-person, one-vote system.”

Despite these frustrations, many on the panel remained hopeful.

When asked about future elections — particularly the 2029 district council, parliamentary, and presidential contests — Mohamud Hussein called for a strong legal framework to support inclusive participation.

“In the last elections, there was no law — just a so-called gentleman’s agreement,” he said. “We hope the next round will be guided by real electoral laws so that youth can fully exercise their democratic rights. Young people are eager and ambitious, but current rules often block their path.”

Unity, Solidarity, and the Road Ahead

Both Khadra and Hawo emphasized the importance of solidarity among women and youth to advance political change.

Khadra urged women to unite and support one another — not just during elections but throughout the governance process.

“We have many seats in parliament already,” she said. “If we stand together, one day we might even see a woman president. But that requires supporting each other — and ideally, forming a women-led political party.”

Hawo echoed this sentiment.

“Women and youth are the most vulnerable groups in society, but together they can become a powerful political force,” Hawo said “By uplifting one another, they can fill not only parliamentary chambers but presidential palaces too.”

Hussein concluded the panel by calling for increased civic awareness, particularly in rural and remote areas.

“We must demand that the Puntland Electoral Commission and its partners launch wider public education campaigns,” he said. “The success of future elections depends on informed, engaged citizens. Let’s exceed last year’s awareness efforts and ensure every voice is heard.”

The post Ardaa: How Puntland’s Youth and Women Are Paving the Way for Democracy appeared first on Kaab TV.