Somalia’s Youth Need Skills, Not Just Degrees, to Unlock the Country’s Future

MOGADISHU (Somali Report) — According to the latest Population Estimation Survey (PES), nearly 75% of Somalia’s population is made up of young people. This demographic should be Somalia’s greatest strength, not a missed opportunity. Youth unemployment has remained largely unchanged for about a decade, not only because opportunities are limited, but also because there is a growing disconnect between the kinds of degrees young people earn and what the labour market actually needs. I would say that most young people in the country are waiting for opportunities to be handed to them rather than building the skills needed to earn and create those opportunities themselves.

One of the main challenges is the type of education most young people receive from universities. Most Somali youth hold degrees in fields such as Public Administration, Business Administration, International Relations, and Political Science. These are important disciplines, no doubt, but when the majority of students concentrate on the same areas, the labour market becomes saturated while critical sectors requiring technical and practical skills remain underserved. Somalia is estimated to have more than 100 universities, many of them operating from six-bedroom apartments with limited facilities and capacity. However, fewer than ten universities meet reasonable academic standards, and only a handful produce graduates with meaningful technical or practical competencies. The question is whether these universities are educating students for employment or simply producing degrees.

Before 1990, Somalia had a strong foundation in technical education through institutions such as the Polytechnic School in Mogadishu, Luglow Technical School in Kismaayo, and Bur’o Technical School in northern Somalia. These technical schools played an important role in producing skilled technicians. Their training was practical, functional, and directly linked to the needs of the economy. Many technicians trained during that period are still relied upon today. Since then, however, that technical education system has not been rebuilt.

The country is growing. Cities such as Mogadishu are expanding, and infrastructure development is accelerating, yet basic technical services are often unavailable locally. This has led to skilled labour being brought in from neighbouring countries such as Kenya. It is reasonable to rely on external expertise to install systems such as elevators, but it is unacceptable that we still cannot find Somali technicians capable of repairing those elevators when they break down.

Over the past decade, many donor-funded TVET programmes have been implemented across the country. Most of these projects have been completed, yet their impact on the labour market remains limited. This highlights the importance of regulating and reforming the TVET sector to ensure that training is properly accredited and aligned with real market demand.

Unlocking Opportunity

Somalia is approaching a new era with ongoing discussions and agreements around oil exploration and drilling. The oil and gas industry is not only about engineers and high-level experts. It also requires a wide range of technical skills that a strong TVET system can provide, including welders, electricians, pipefitters, heavy machinery operators, safety technicians, mechanics, and logistics personnel.

I believe the country has not invested sufficiently in TVET programmes linked to the oil and gas sector. As a result, our youth are not prepared to participate in this emerging industry. If this continues, companies will most likely import skilled labour, and Somalia will once again miss a major opportunity. It is important that these companies invest in building local capacity by supporting relevant training programmes and ensuring that Somali youth acquire the technical skills needed to benefit from this sector.

Many young people participate in politics not as informed contributors, but as passive followers. Too much time is spent discussing “who said what,” engaging in political debates in hotels, and aligning with individuals rather than ideas. For some youth, politics has become a shortcut—a stepping stone to visibility, influence, or opportunity. When their energy is consumed by unproductive political engagement, it is diverted away from studying, building skills, and creating businesses.

Building from Nothing

In Labadhagax, I met a young man who represents what is possible when the mindset shifts from waiting to doing. He operates a growing beverage business known as Isbaramuuto House, which now manages around 17 kiosks across Mogadishu and other parts of the country. Coming from a poor family, he struggled through university while supporting a household of 11 orphans. His journey began by transporting fruit from Afgoye and selling it in Jaayga, an area where many government officials live.