Kismayo, Somalia – In Kismayo, a new education and empowerment initiative is transforming the lives of hundreds of women and their families. According to an announcement by the German Embassy in Somalia, 470 women are currently benefiting from literacy and numeracy training that is equipping them with essential skills to strengthen their businesses and improve household livelihoods.
The program, supported through the Germany-Somalia partnership, extends its impact beyond the direct beneficiaries. Organizers estimate that more than 3,055 children and elderly family members will experience improved living conditions as the women increase their income and educational opportunities.
By linking literacy with entrepreneurship, the initiative is designed to break cycles of poverty that have persisted in the region. Many of the women enrolled already run small businesses but lacked the basic financial literacy needed to manage growth, reinvest profits, and expand sustainably. With the new training, participants are expected to not only uplift their families but also contribute to Kismayo’s local economy.
Germany’s Embassy highlighted the program as part of its wider commitment to Somalia’s development, focusing on education, women’s empowerment, and poverty reduction. Community leaders in Kismayo welcomed the initiative, emphasizing that empowering women with practical skills creates ripple effects that foster stability and resilience in society.
As the program progresses, the women’s success stories are anticipated to inspire similar projects in other Somali regions, signaling a step forward in inclusive development and regional stability.