As we gather across the globe particularly at forums like the Somali Diaspora Conference in Doha one message is clear now is not the time to quit on Somalia The challenges are real and measurable.<\/p>\n
Overall unemployment hovers around 20 percent while youth unemployment exceeds 30 percent a pressing constraint on long-term stability. Nearly 70 percent of Somalis live below the international poverty line and illiteracy remains high with half of adults unable to read and write.<\/p>\n
Only a third of school-age children are enrolled in formal education. These numbers are more than statistics they represent untapped talent and delayed potential Yet despite these hurdles Somalia is not waiting for change to come solely from government.<\/p>\n
The private sector has stepped in driving solutions that keep the country connected productive and moving forward. Companies like Hormuud Telecom and Salaam Somali Bank are redefining what it means to build a nation amid adversity Hormuud is far more than a telecom operator.<\/p>\n
We are among the country\u2019s largest job creators employing tens of thousands across technology logistics energy and services. Through mobile money platforms such as EVC Plus we are providing financial inclusion at scale enabling entrepreneurs traders and households to transact save and survive economic shocks Salaam Somali Bank through Sharia-compliant financing has unlocked capital for small businesses that traditional systems never reached financing shops farms transport services and startups that now form the backbone of local economies Beyond profit Somali companies are institutionalizing social purpose.<\/p>\n
The issue is likely to carry broader political weight as Somalia navigates federal power-sharing, regional competition and the search for stronger public institutions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
As we gather across the globe particularly at forums like the Somali Diaspora Conference in Doha one message is clear now is not the time to quit on Somalia The challenges are real and measurable. Overall unemployment hovers around 20 percent while youth unemployment exceeds 30 percent a pressing constraint on long-term stability. Nearly 70<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":7737,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7738","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-economy"],"yoast_head":"\n