MOGADISHU, Somalia – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Hormuud Salaam Foundation (HSF) have signed a key partnership agreement in Mogadishu, viewed as a significant advancement for Somalia’s development goals, focusing on inclusive economic growth and youth empowerment.
This partnership seeks to broaden prospects in technology, entrepreneurship, agriculture, and employment, which are essential for Somalia’s economic revival and enduring stability.
High-ranking officials attended the signing, including Deputy Prime Minister Jibril Abdirashid, various cabinet ministers, and delegates from UNDP, Hormuud Salaam Foundation, Salaam Somali Bank, and Hormuud Telecom.
HSF will fund the program, Hormuud Telecom will lead digital advancements, and Salaam Somali Bank will offer Islamic financing options to young business starters.
Lionel Laurens, UNDP’s Resident Representative in Somalia, called the partnership a historic milestone with the power to bring substantial improvements to lives.
“This collaboration unites innovation, investment, and impact,” Laurens stated.
Abdullahi Nur Osman, Chairman of Hormuud Salaam Foundation, highlighted Somalia’s vast growth potential.
“Through appropriate partnerships and dedication, Somalia’s economy can flourish,” he remarked, stressing the private sector’s crucial role in advancement.
Spokespeople from Hormuud Telecom and Salaam Somali Bank reinforced this view, portraying the initiative as community-focused to harness Somali skills and bolster economic strength.
Cabinet ministers praised the effort as a crucial measure to enhance youth jobs and foster entrepreneurship across the country.
The Deputy PM Abdirashid praised UNDP and HSF for their dedication to sustainable progress.
“Annually, thousands of young Somalis graduate with great potential yet encounter scarce job prospects. Such partnerships bridge that divide, and Hormuud Salaam Foundation leads by example in generating genuine opportunities for Somali youth,” he noted.
