By Zamzam Daqare - Reporter
MOGADISHU, 12 October 2026 — Somalia will establish a technical university this year to equip students with practical skills for employment or self-employment, Education Minister Farah Sheikh Abdulkadir said on Monday.
Speaking during a ministerial panel at the East Africa Community Conference (EACON 2026) in Mogadishu, Abdulkadir said the university will focus on technical education and vocational training.
“This year, as the government has announced, a Technical University will be established to provide technical education that will enable graduates to earn a living through the skills they acquire,” he said.
The minister said the government also plans to promote technical institutes and colleges across the country to expand access to vocational education.
The initiatives form part of Somalia’s National Transformation Plan, which identifies education and skills development as priorities, he said.
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Addressing Somalia’s membership in the East African Community, Abdulkadir said member states had agreed to allocate at least 20% of their national budgets to education.
He described the commitment as an important issue Somalis should be aware of given the country’s membership in the regional bloc.
His remarks came as Mogadishu hosted EACON 2026, jointly organised by SIMAD University and Somali National University, focusing on how Somalia can benefit from its EAC membership.
The two-day conference, running from Oct. 12 to 13, is examining implementation of EAC agreements, business competitiveness and human capital development, particularly preparing youth for education and employment opportunities across the region.