Somalia's future hinges on a critical shift from exclusion to empowerment, and the key to this transformation lies in embracing inclusive growth. But why is this concept so vital for the nation's prosperity?
The African continent, as Joseph Ki-Zerbo passionately asserts, must rise and take charge of its destiny. This powerful statement encapsulates the essence of inclusive growth, which goes beyond economic expansion to ensure that every individual has a role in the development journey. However, Somalia, East Africa, and the entire African continent continue to grapple with the consequences of non-inclusive growth, resulting in disparities and excluding millions from the benefits of economic progress.
The labor market in Somalia presents a complex challenge. High youth unemployment, limited skills development, and inadequate institutional support have pushed many citizens towards poverty, migration, and even radicalization. With a youth-dominated labor force lacking meaningful opportunities, the country sits on a powder keg that threatens stability. Recent youth uprisings in neighboring countries like Kenya, Madagascar, Morocco, Nigeria, Uganda, and Tanzania have demonstrated that the demand for better leadership and accountability is rooted in high unemployment and economic frustration.
The large youth population in Africa is a double-edged sword. In Somalia, over 70% of jobs are informal, insecure, and poorly paid, leaving the majority of young people disengaged. The education system, including TVETS and universities, often fails to align with market demands, and access to capital is controlled by clan networks and gatekeepers. This paradox is alarming: a generation that should drive transformation is instead becoming a source of instability and frustration. Without swift action, the youth dividend may lead to economic dependency, migration pressures, and political unrest.
The potential of Somalia's youth is immense. They can drive rural development, introduce modern agricultural technologies, and lead non-farm rural businesses. Nations like Nepal have demonstrated the power of diaspora remittances, youth entrepreneurship, and small-scale agribusiness in boosting rural economies. Similarly, Somalia's diaspora remittances, currently exceeding $2 billion annually, can be a strategic economic tool, not just survival income. Kwame Nkrumah's words echo this sentiment: "Africa's richness benefits not its people but those who contribute to its impoverishment." By harnessing its youth and diaspora remittances for agriculture-led transformation, Somalia can achieve food security and rural growth. However, this requires more than token projects; it demands substantial investment in training, credit access, and market connections. This approach would also encourage diaspora Somalis to invest in their homeland.
To tackle unemployment in Somalia, we must start at the community level. We can learn from China's industrial development, which focused on industry centers, aggregated procurement for savings, and invested in skills. Strategic initiatives can develop industry-specific clusters, engage the diaspora, enhance local supply chains, and provide vocational training. By reducing costs and increasing efficiency, Somali SMEs can compete in various sectors, including halal food processing, textiles, fisheries, and digital services, creating jobs and fostering sustainable economic growth. Industrialization need not wait for mega-projects or foreign investors; it can start with local resources and skills upgrades. Equipping our youth with modern training in coding, digital marketing, agrotech, and renewable engineering will enable them to thrive in evolving economies.
The East African Community (EAC) must transform into more than just a political association. It should become a hub for labor and market opportunities for East African youth. Young people from Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda should be able to move, work, trade, and innovate freely. This mobility will reduce unemployment and foster cross-border innovation and integration. A futuristic approach involves addressing challenges with regional unity, tackling climate change, food insecurity, and digital revolutions. We can create a visa-free future for young Africans, promoting regional businesses and trust. Somalia can capitalize on this by certifying its products to EAC standards, using trade protocols and cross-border financing, enhancing its credibility and competitiveness. Joint trade missions, exhibitions, and collaborations with member states can boost Somali SMEs' regional presence.
African leaders often aspire to emulate Singapore or China's success, but they overlook the hard work and discipline behind these achievements. Singapore's rise involved significant investments in education, governance, and industrial capacity, while China's manufacturing prowess resulted from integrating rural and urban areas and establishing industrial zones. In contrast, much of Africa remains reliant on raw commodity exports, fragile institutions, and short-term political gains. To achieve Singapore-like results, we must follow a similar path of discipline, structural reforms, and long-term planning. Somalia once held more promise than Singapore in the 1960s due to its geography and resources, but political collapse and mismanagement squandered this potential. Learning from history, we must forge our path, rooted in Somali realities and informed by Asia's experiences.
Somalia's path forward is clear: boldness and realism are essential. Blind imitation won't lead to success; instead, we must create a Somali model that addresses our unique challenges while drawing lessons from Asia. This entails long-term planning, developing industrial strategies, creating youth opportunities, and facilitating regional labor mobility. By investing in agribusiness, ICT hubs, renewable energy, and cross-border trade corridors, Somalia can harness its youthful population as a growth catalyst. Ignoring these opportunities today will breed frustration tomorrow. The future awaits no one; we must empower our youth through inclusivity and modern training, shaping a brighter future together.
Mr. Sadik Warfa, a consultant in international relations, governance, and labor, brings valuable expertise to this discussion, having served as the Former Minister of Labour and Social Affairs and as a Member of Federal Parliament for Mudug Constituency, Somalia.
