By Mohamed Abdi - Reporter
Somalia, 13 December 2025 – Mado, a well-known Turkish restaurant brand founded in 1850, officially opened its first branch in Mogadishu on Friday, marking its second presence on the African continent after Egypt.
With more than 300 locations across Türkiye and nearly 100 others operating in over 25 countries, Mado’s expansion into Somalia adds the country to its growing global network.
Sada Limited, the company representing the franchise in Somalia, said it has spent the past year working to establish the new branch. The head of Sada Limited in Somalia, Muhsin Abdirahman Hassan, said the project aligns with ongoing efforts to strengthen the country’s hospitality sector and to encourage international investment.
“What made this possible is our commitment to developing the hospitality industry and creating a climate where foreign investors feel confident to come,” Muhsin said. He added that although opening a local restaurant would have been easier, the company chose to invest heavily in bringing an international brand as part of its contribution to national development.
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According to Mado’s management, the Mogadishu branch currently employs 47 staff members, with only three being Turkish nationals and the rest Somali employees.
The opening ceremony was attended by Mado’s global owner, Mehmet Sait Kanbur, senior Somali government officials, Turkish diplomats and business leaders. Somalia’s Deputy Minister of Defence, Idris Osman Haji Ali, said the growth of such businesses reflects improving security conditions and continued economic recovery in the capital.
The Mogadishu location features a range of Turkish and international desserts, including the signature dairy ice cream Mado is widely known for. The launch is seen as another step in the increasing diversification of services emerging across the Somali capital.
