Somalia, 6 November 2025 — The Federal Ministry of Education, Culture, and Higher Education has officially launched the Rajo Kaaba Master’s Scholarship Program for Women, part of the $52 million World Bank–financed Rajo Kaaba Project designed to empower Somali women through higher education, skills training, and leadership development.
The launch ceremony, held in Mogadishu, on Thursday, was attended by senior government officials, education stakeholders, and representatives from the World Bank.
Under the initiative, 150 Somali women will receive fully funded scholarships to pursue Master’s degrees at Somali National University and partner regional universities in fields critical to the country’s growth, including education, environmental science, psychology, politics, and project management.
Officials described the program as a historic step toward empowering women and promoting gender equality in leadership and education.
Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre hailed the initiative as a national milestone, emphasizing the transformative power of education:
“Education is the key to life in this world. It is the path to progress and statehood built on solid foundations. A society that lacks education is torn apart by conflict, drought, disease, and hunger,” said the Prime Minister. “Rajo Kaaba is a national project that reflects the government’s commitment to advancing the knowledge and potential of Somali women.”
Education Minister Farah Sheikh Abdulkadir added that the program reflects the government’s vision for inclusive education and leadership development.
“This program demonstrates our vision to empower women to become leaders in education, governance, and development,” he said. “By investing in women’s education, we are investing in Somalia’s future.”
The Rajo Kaaba Project, funded by the World Bank and implemented by the Ministry of Education, runs from 2023 to 2027 and aims to improve literacy, expand access to skills training, and strengthen women’s participation in Somalia’s education and labor sectors.
The Ministry stated that the program aims to produce a new generation of skilled female professionals capable of contributing to governance, administration, and national reconstruction.
