By Siham Mohamed - construction engineering and management professional with a Master’s degree in Construction Engineering and Management.
“The future of Somalia’s construction industry should be measured not only by the infrastructure it delivers, but also by the workers it protects.” Siham Mohamed
Somalia’s construction sector is becoming increasingly important as the country continues to rebuild its infrastructure and expand its cities. Roads, buildings, drainage systems and other infrastructure projects are essential to economic and social development.
However, in my view, the growth of the construction industry must be accompanied by greater attention to the safety and well-being of those working on these projects.
The World Bank has identified construction and infrastructure development as important areas for employment and post-conflict recovery in Somalia (World Bank, 2026).
Construction safety should therefore not be treated as a separate issue from development. A successful construction project should not only be completed on time and within budget; it should also protect the workers who make it possible.
Major Safety Hazards on Construction Sites#
Construction workers face numerous hazards, including falls from height, falling objects, unsafe scaffolding, electrical risks, machinery and poorly maintained equipment.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) recognises construction as a sector with significant occupational safety and health risks and emphasises the importance of managing these risks throughout the construction process (ILO, 2022).
In Somalia, these risks can become more serious when construction sites lack proper safety procedures and adequate supervision.
A study examining labour safety in construction companies in Mogadishu identified factors affecting safety practices within the sector (Mohamed & Addow, 2022).
These findings reinforce the need to make safety an integral part of construction management rather than addressing it only after an accident occurs.
Lack of Safety Training and Awareness#
Another significant challenge is the limited availability of safety training and awareness among construction workers.
Workers may have considerable practical experience but limited formal training in occupational health and safety. This can make it difficult for them to identify hazards or understand the appropriate procedures for controlling risks.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is also essential. However, providing helmets, safety shoes, gloves, harnesses and other equipment is not enough on its own. Workers must understand why such equipment is necessary and how to use it correctly.
Supervisors must also ensure that safety procedures are followed consistently across construction sites.
Weak Enforcement and Supervision#
I believe one of the biggest challenges facing construction safety is the gap between having safety requirements on paper and ensuring that they are followed on construction sites.
Somalia has an Occupational Safety and Health Department within the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, which is responsible for promoting workers’ protection and well-being (Osman et al., 2022).
Somalia has also ratified ILO conventions concerning occupational safety and health. However, the existence of regulations and institutions does not automatically guarantee safe working conditions.
Effective inspections, supervision, reporting and enforcement are necessary to ensure that safety requirements are consistently observed.
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In my view, strengthening these mechanisms would be an important step towards improving construction safety across Somalia.
Cost and Time Pressures#
Construction projects often operate under strict budgets and deadlines. Contractors may face pressure to complete projects quickly while keeping costs low.
Under these circumstances, safety measures such as training, inspections, proper scaffolding and protective equipment may sometimes be treated as additional expenses rather than essential components of a project.
However, neglecting safety can result in far greater costs. Accidents can cause injuries, fatalities, project delays, equipment damage, compensation claims and reduced productivity.
Investing in safety should therefore not be viewed simply as an expense. It is also an investment in project efficiency, worker protection and long-term performance.
From a Reactive to a Preventive Safety Culture#
I believe Somalia needs to move away from a reactive approach to construction safety and towards a more preventive safety culture.
Instead of waiting for accidents to occur, potential hazards should be identified and controlled before work begins.
Safety considerations should be incorporated into every stage of a project, including planning, design, procurement, construction and supervision.
The ILO’s Code of Practice on Safety and Health in Construction promotes a preventive approach and emphasises cooperation between governments, employers and workers (ILO, 2022).
This approach is particularly important as Somalia’s construction industry continues to develop. Establishing effective safety practices now can help build a stronger, more professional and more responsible construction sector in the years ahead.
Building a Safer Future#
The future of Somalia’s construction sector should not be measured solely by the number of roads, buildings and infrastructure projects completed. It should also be measured by how safely those projects are delivered.
Government authorities, contractors, engineers, project managers, supervisors and workers all have a responsibility to create safer construction sites.
Stronger enforcement, better training, effective risk assessments, proper supervision and consistent use of personal protective equipment can significantly improve working conditions.
As Somalia continues to rebuild and develop, construction safety must become an essential part of project management rather than an afterthought.
We should not only ask how quickly and cheaply we can build. We must also ask how safely we can build.
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About the Author#
Siham Mohamed is a construction engineering and management professional with a Master’s degree in Construction Engineering and Management.
*The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of Dawan Africa.