By Asha Elmi - Reporter
Mogadishu (Dawan Africa) – HACK4Somalia 2025 officially launched in Mogadishu on 20 July 2025, bringing together Somali youth to develop technology-based responses to a range of national development challenges.
Organized by Mogadishu University in cooperation with the Turkish Embassy in Somalia, the initiative is being implemented independently and includes contributions from academics, technical mentors, and development sector stakeholders. It targets university students, recent graduates, and young professionals across various disciplines.
The launch event, held at the Turkish Embassy, was attended by government officials, diplomats, representatives of international organizations, and business leaders, reflecting growing interest in youth-led innovation as a key component of Somalia’s development trajectory.
Speaking at the event, State Minister for Education Nuro Mustafa Muqtar said:“It is our governmental responsibility to support the minds of Somali youth—who are the cornerstone of rebuilding the nation.”Her remarks were echoed by Turkish Ambassador to Somalia Alper Aktaş, who stated:“This initiative is not merely a project. It’s a symbol of a shared vision—of a resilient, self-reliant, and innovative Somalia shaped by the talents and ideas of its own youth.”
The hackathon will unfold over several months, with youth teams tackling six thematic areas: clean water and sanitation, renewable energy, climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, digital public services, and digital education. Participants will receive mentorship and technical guidance to develop low-cost, scalable prototypes relevant to Somalia’s context.
According to Dr. Ibraahim Mohamed Mursal, President of Mogadishu University:“If Somali youth are given support and training, they have the power to deliver lasting solutions to challenges that have stood in this country’s way for over 35 years.”
Program Design and ObjectivesHACK4Somalia 2025 is designed as an open platform for youth engagement and problem-solving. Teams will be selected to participate in a national innovation challenge, with the most promising ideas receiving access to post-hackathon incubation and further development support.Expected outcomes include:
- At least 15 digital or mechanical prototypes addressing real-world problems.
- 50–75 youth participants trained in innovation, teamwork, and entrepreneurship.
- New links between academia, civil society, government, and business sectors.
- A public platform to highlight Somali youth talent at national and international levels.
Structural Challenges and Long-Term GoalsThe event comes at a time when Somalia continues to face systemic challenges in public service delivery, infrastructure, environmental resilience, and economic inclusion. While small in scale, organizers say the hackathon represents an opportunity to shift the development narrative toward homegrown, youth-led innovation.
In an effort to ensure continuity, the organizers have proposed a sustainability framework including:
- Long-term mentorship through Mogadishu University’s innovation labs.
- Strategic partnerships with Somali incubators, NGOs, and startups.
- Periodic follow-up events such as demo days and alumni forums.
The initiative has been presented as a civic-focused program, with an emphasis on youth empowerment, innovation, and practical development outcomes. Organizers say its primary goal is to foster grassroots problem-solving and strengthen linkages between young people, academic institutions, and local communities—without commercial or political framing.
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