Opinion: Beyond Aid: Somalia’s Moment to Rise, Rebuild, and Reconnect with the World
By Fartun Sheikh

The recently concluded Somalia–U.S. Presidential Trade Forum was more than a diplomatic gathering; it was a declaration that Somalia is entering a new era of economic confidence and global connection.

I write not as a politician, but as a business mind and educator, someone who views this moment through the eyes of enterprise, skills, and opportunity. From that perspective, this forum was historic. It showed that Somalia is ready to collaborate, trade, and contribute meaningfully to the global economy.

As I observed the Forum, it was clear that Somalia’s delegation carried confidence and clarity. The discussions were not about aid or dependency, but about enterprise, innovation, and the country’s growing competitiveness. The energy in the room reflected a nation ready to connect, invest, and lead.

For years, Somalia’s story was one of recovery. Today, it is a story of reinvention. The sight of Somali and American flags flying side by side in Mogadishu was not ceremonial; it was a statement of progress, a signal that Somalia is stepping forward with purpose, guided by vision and resilience.

Somalia’s Confident Step into Global Trade

The two-day forum, organised by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Somalia to the United States, brought together Somali policymakers, business leaders, and American investors for practical discussions on trade, finance, and industrial cooperation.
Ambassador Dahir Hassan Abdi summarised the spirit of the gathering when he said:

“This forum is not just about attracting investors; it is about building trust, partnership, and a shared vision of growth. Somalia is open for business and ready to work hand in hand with our global partners to create sustainable prosperity.” 

It was a statement that marked Somalia’s transition from aid dependency to enterprise-driven diplomacy.

The Rise of an Entrepreneurial Nation

Somalia’s economy has long been powered by its entrepreneurs, risk-takers who build businesses under challenging conditions and connect markets across borders. From telecommunications to finance, logistics to fisheries, Somali innovators have shown that resilience is not just survival; it is strategy.
Somali-owned enterprises now operate regionally and internationally, linking Mogadishu to Africa, Dubai, and the US. The next step is to move from trading to transforming, producing, processing, and exporting on a large scale.
Our young entrepreneurs are ready. They do not seek charity; they seek capital, mentorship, and market access. They want to collaborate and have the skills to do so. Suppose we continue to build their capacities, strengthen their entrepreneurial mindset, and empower them with the right tools and networks. In that case, they will not only create jobs for themselves but also drive Somalia’s economic transformation. Empowered youth are not beneficiaries of growth; they are its architects.

From Aid to Enterprise—Skills as the Foundation of Growth

Somalia’s future will be shaped not by aid but by skills, enterprise, and productivity. Across the country, young people are learning, creating, and leading and proving that growth begins with human capacity.

Every training program and entrepreneurship initiative strengthens the nation’s backbone. Skills turn potential into productivity and productivity into prosperity. Our youth are capable and connected; they only need systems that reward effort, innovation, and value creation.

The forum has brought ideas, partnerships, and renewed optimism about Somalia’s economic future. It created valuable dialogue between the government, investors, and entrepreneurs. But transformation will not come from forums alone; it will come when we translate those discussions into action, when policies are implemented, and when commitments turn into tangible results on the ground. It will come from education that meets market needs and institutions that trust their people to build, innovate, and compete. Somalia’s journey from aid to enterprise has begun, driven by talent, determination, and belief in a better tomorrow, and the recent forum has played a vital role in inspiring this new wave of confidence and action.

Consultancy and Knowledge: The Smart Side of Growth

Every strong economy stands on the strength of its thinkers, planners, and consultants, the people who turn ambition into achievement. Across Somalia, a growing community of professionals and advisors is helping transform ideas into action, ensuring that investments deliver real impact and that policies lead to progress.

The recent forum highlighted this positive shift. They brought together policymakers, investors, and experts who share one vision: a Somalia that grows through knowledge, collaboration, and competence. These exchanges showed that Somalia’s greatest resource is not only its land or markets, but it is also its people and their capacity to plan, manage, and innovate.

Economic growth in Somalia is no longer driven by aid alone, but by capability and confidence. By investing in local expertise, nurturing consultants, and empowering institutions, Somalia is shaping a future that is sustainable, self-reliant, and smart: a future designed and led by Somali minds.

Private Sector and Export: The Pillars of Economic Power
The private sector is the true engine of Somalia’s transformation. Its story is one of courage and consistency. From small enterprises in regional towns to large exporters on the coast, Somali businesses are driving growth that is both inclusive and enduring.
The trade forum opened new doors linking Somali exporters to U.S. buyers, investors, and mentors. Expanding export capacity in livestock, seafood, agriculture, textiles, and digital services will redefine Somalia’s economic identity.

Economic Diplomacy that Delivers

The participation of fifteen American companies in the Forum was a clear demonstration of growing confidence in Somalia’s economy and a recognition that the business environment is steadily improving. This engagement reflects trust that can deepen as Somalia continues to advance policy stability, transparency, and accountability. The country’s economic diplomacy is moving in the right direction: focused on attracting credible investment, building mutual value, and ensuring that women and youth are at the heart of national growth. With inclusion and partnership as guiding principles, Somalia’s rise can become a shared success story for both local and international investors.

From Forum to Future

Somalia’s direction is clear and promising. We are moving from aid to trade, from fragility to collaboration . Somalia’s direction is clear and promising. We are moving from aid to trade, from fragility to competitiveness, and from isolation to integration. This is not an aspiration; it is a reality already unfolding in our markets, our ports, and our universities.

The recent trade forum, skillfully organised and represented by the Somali Embassy in Washington, demonstrated professionalism, vision, and diplomacy at its best. The Embassy’s leadership in connecting Somalia with credible investors and partners showed that our engagement abroad can be a catalyst for growth at home.

This trade forum also proved that Somalia’s future will be built by its own people, by entrepreneurs who take risks, by youth who innovate, and by educators who shape the next generation of talent. Together, they are building an economy grounded in knowledge, enterprise, and confidence.

Now is the time to turn dialogue into delivery. Let us move from discussion to implementation, from ideas to impact. Somalia’s rise will not be accidental; it will be the result of deliberate effort, discipline, and shared determination guided by the spirit of partnership and the belief that our best days are ahead.