Mogadishu (Dawan Africa) – A national conference concluded in Mogadishu today with the election of the first chairperson of the “Union of Small and Medium Enterprises.” Abdimajid Ahmed Mohamed won the leadership on the second day of the three-day conference, in which three candidates competed.
More than 120 businesses from across Somalia took part in the vote, according to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The ministry said the establishment of the new body fulfills conditions linked to Somalia’s bid to join the East African Community (EAC).
“It was one of the requirements for joining the East African Community, where each member state already has such an association operating,” said Abdirizak Hassan Yusuf, Director of Trade and Market Development at the ministry.
Participants said the new union would provide protection and a unified voice for small business owners facing rising taxes and new regulatory challenges.
“Now the country has changed. There is a government, a system, laws, and excessive taxation. So how? They needed protection. This union will be the protection for Somali businesspeople,” said businessman Abdi Nafic Hirsi Ali.
Although three candidates contested the leadership, the election was settled in the first round, with Abdimajid Ahmed Mohamed chosen as chairperson.
The union will open offices across Somali cities under its new charter. Leaders emphasized that the body will remain independent and self-financing.
“This union will be a special organization owned by small business owners. Whatever funds and resources are needed, they will rely on themselves, insha’Allah,” said Abdimajid Mohamed Mahmoud.
The creation of the union was supported financially and technically by international partners, including UNIDO and Cowater, to strengthen Somali entrepreneurs’ competitiveness both domestically and internationally.
Previously, thousands of small enterprises, each with separate ownership and management, faced challenges in quality control. The National Standards Authority welcomed the new body as a way to streamline communication.
“It will be easier for us. Before, we had to track down each business individually. Now, we will have one platform to engage with, making communication far more efficient,” said Abdirizak Hussein Aden, Director of Borders and Federal Member States at the Standards Authority.
The new union, expected to establish branches nationwide, is seen as a crucial step in giving Somali small and medium businesses a collective voice and preparing the country to participate in the upcoming East African Community trade fair in Kenya this November.
