Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Somalia and Saudi Arabia have entered a new era of partnership with the signing of a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Riyadh aimed at revitalizing Somalia’s youth and sports landscape.
The agreement, endorsed by Somalia’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Mohamed Abdulkadir Ali, and Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Sports, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, marks a milestone in the growing ties between the two nations. It lays the groundwork for long-term collaboration focused on youth empowerment, sports development, and employment creation.
At the heart of the MoU is a shared commitment to rebuilding Somalia’s sports infrastructure—starting with the restoration of key stadiums across the country that were damaged by years of conflict and neglect. The initiative is expected to provide Somali youth with access to safe, modern facilities for both training and competition, inspiring a new generation of athletes and community leaders.
Beyond infrastructure, the agreement emphasizes skill development programs tailored to young people, including coaching, management, and entrepreneurship in the sports sector. These initiatives aim to equip Somali youth with practical skills that open doors to employment and innovation, both within and beyond the field of sports.
The partnership also signals Saudi Arabia’s broader commitment to investing in Somalia’s human capital and fostering regional stability through youth-focused collaboration. For Somalia, it reflects a growing confidence in its capacity to rebuild institutions and create opportunities that channel the energy of its youthful population toward progress and unity.
As both nations look ahead, the new accord stands as a symbol of hope—an investment not only in sports but in the future of Somalia’s young generation, who continue to demonstrate resilience and ambition in the face of adversity.
