By Mohamed Shardid - media and communications professional
“If Somalia can attract serious long-term investment into affordable and reliable energy, the benefits could extend across the entire economy.” Mohamed Shardiid
For two days, Mogadishu became a meeting point for an important conversation about Somalia’s economic future.
The EU–Somalia Business Forum 2026 was held on 5–6 October in Mogadishu under the theme “Invest in Somalia: Unlocking High-Potential Markets.” It brought together Somali businesses, European companies, investors, government officials, financial institutions and development partners. The forum was organised by the European Union Delegation to Somalia and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, alongside other partners.
As someone working in media and public relations, I attended the forum not only as a participant but also as an observer. I was interested in how international investors view Somalia, what Somali businesses are seeking, and whether discussions in conference rooms can lead to real opportunities for ordinary people.
Somalia is often discussed internationally through the language of security, humanitarian assistance and political challenges. These realities cannot be ignored. But the business forum presented another side of the country: entrepreneurial, ambitious and increasingly focused on attracting investment.
Walking through the forum, I saw Somali entrepreneurs and business leaders presenting ideas, discussing opportunities and engaging with European counterparts. The European Union described the forum as an initiative to strengthen Somalia’s investment ecosystem, promote regional trade integration and support growth in agriculture, energy, digital services and trade logistics.
Agriculture: From Potential to Production
Agriculture was one of the most interesting areas discussed. Somalia has substantial agricultural potential, including land, livestock and fisheries, as well as a young population. Yet the country continues to depend heavily on imported food.
For me, this raises a fundamental question: how can Somalia move from being primarily a consumer market to becoming a productive economy?
The forum highlighted opportunities across agricultural value chains, including mechanisation, irrigation, agro-processing, cold-chain systems, packaging, agricultural inputs and export logistics. Investment in these areas could have an impact beyond individual companies.
If farmers gain access to better technology, financing, irrigation and markets, production can increase. If agricultural products are processed locally, more jobs can be created. And if storage and transport improve, farmers may lose less of what they produce.
Agricultural investment should therefore be seen not only as a business opportunity but also as a potential contribution to food security, employment and economic independence.
Energy: A Challenge and an Opportunity
Energy was another major area of discussion. For many Somali businesses, electricity remains one of the largest costs of doing business. At the same time, Somalia has significant potential for renewable energy, particularly solar and wind.
The forum highlighted opportunities in solar mini-grids, utility-scale renewable projects, clean cooking solutions and energy services for productive activities. In my view, investment in this sector could make a visible difference in people’s daily lives.
Reliable and affordable electricity can change how businesses operate. It can support schools, hospitals, factories, farms, digital companies and small businesses. Energy is not simply another economic sector; it enables growth across almost every other sector.
If Somalia can attract serious, long-term investment in affordable and reliable energy, the benefits could extend across the entire economy.
The Digital Economy: Somalia’s Hidden Strength
The digital economy may be one area where Somalia already has a strong foundation. Somalis have rapidly adopted mobile money, digital communication and technology-driven services. The country’s technology ecosystem has developed despite limited traditional infrastructure.
At the forum, digital services were identified as a key area for future investment, including fintech, e-commerce, digital payments, data centres and digital skills development. As someone who works in media and communication, I found this especially relevant.
Somalia’s young population is already connected to the digital world. The question is how to turn that connectivity into productive economic opportunities.
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Young people should not only consume digital content. They can also become developers, entrepreneurs, digital marketers, designers, programmers, cybersecurity professionals and technology innovators.
The digital economy could allow Somali talent to participate in global markets without necessarily leaving the country.
Trade and Logistics: Connecting Somalia to the World
A farmer may produce an excellent product, but without transport, storage, roads, ports and access to markets, it may never reach a profitable buyer. Likewise, a manufacturer may produce goods locally but struggle to compete if importing raw materials or exporting finished products remains expensive and complicated.
Improved logistics can make Somali businesses more competitive. Another strong feature of the forum was its emphasis on direct business connections. For Somalia, relationships with European companies and investors could bring more than capital: they could also provide technical expertise, international standards, technology transfer, management experience and access to global markets.
Investors need confidence. Businesses need access to finance, and entrepreneurs need predictable regulations. Companies also need reliable infrastructure and clarity about taxation, licensing and legal protections. Everyone needs a business environment in which agreements can be trusted and implemented.
The European Union recognises that Somalia continues to face challenges, including limited access to finance, fragmented markets and security constraints.
The forum’s success should therefore not be measured only by attendance or the number of speeches delivered. One of my strongest impressions was that Somali businesses should not wait for international investors to solve every problem.
Somali entrepreneurs have an important role to play. International investors need credible local partners: companies that understand the market, maintain professional standards, have transparent financial systems and can demonstrate sustainable business models.
Somali companies must prepare for international partnerships. Professional governance, financial transparency, quality standards, reliable data, strong management and clear business plans are essential for companies seeking international investment. The opportunity is there, but preparation is essential.
A New Narrative for Somalia
As I left the forum, one thought stayed with me: Somalia does not simply need more conferences; it needs more implementation.
The EU–Somalia Business Forum created a platform for dialogue, networking and investment discussions. It presented Somalia’s economic potential to European businesses and investors and gave Somali companies opportunities to introduce themselves to international partners.
Now comes the harder part. The conversations must continue, proposals must be followed up, partnerships must be built, and investments must be realised. Opportunities must reach beyond conference halls and into communities across Somalia.
If that happens, the EU–Somalia Business Forum 2026 may be remembered not simply as another business event in Mogadishu, but as a moment when Somalia’s economic conversation began to move more decisively from potential to partnership, and from partnership to production.
For me, that is what I saw at the forum: not a perfect Somalia, or a country without challenges, but a Somalia increasingly willing to present itself to the world through the language of business, investment, innovation and opportunity.
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About the Author
Mohamed Shardiid is a media and communications professional. He currently serves as Public Relations Manager at Asal TV and as a university lecturer.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of Dawan Africa.