Somaliland, 24 October 2025 — Somaliland President, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Cirro), has launched a high-profile award dedicated to recognizing and fostering the country’s next generation of technology innovators.
The Presidential Award for Youth Technological Innovation in Somaliland aims to celebrate and honour young people who create technological programs, projects, or infrastructure that benefit society, improve services or solve pressing national challenges.
The move marks the first time in Somaliland’s history that the President has personally launched a national award dedicated to youth innovation. It reflects a significant shift in government policy, prioritizing digital transformation and homegrown creativity across the nation.
The competition will select innovators whose creations are seen as advancing knowledge, creating jobs, and expanding digital services.
The inaugural award will be officially presented at the country’s largest tech gathering, the 7th Somaliland ICT Exhibition and Conference 2025. The week-long event scheduled for October 25 to 26 in Hargeisa, serves as the national platform to promote innovation, collaboration, and digital investment.
The award is proof that Somaliland is recognizing technological ingenuity as a key pillar to its future economic and social development.