LocationsHow vocational training, mental health support, and job connections are helping 1,000 vulnerable young Somalis
Skills, jobs and safer future for Somali youth
May 12, 2026
Mohamed Abdullahi Ali, a young man in his early 20s, sits in a training room in Mogadishu, carefully adjusting his mechanical tools. Around him, the room hums with activity as young women and men practice new skills—some working on plumbing systems, others on solar energy, tailoring, and mobile phone repair—guided step by step by their mentors at the Elman Peace Center. “This space provides me more than training. I am building my future here,” says a cheerful Ali, with his greasy hands holding a wrench.
Growing up in a community affected by prolonged conflict, the opportunities for the youth were very much limited and uncertainty in the everyday life was common. Like many young people in Somalia, Mohamed witnessed how instability can shape futures before they are fully formed. Yet today, the focus is different.
“My goal is to build skills, secure job, and contribute positively to family and community,” said Mohamed.
Across Somalia, Mohamed’s experience reflects a much wider reality. Nearly 75% of the population is under the age of 30, with an estimated 400,000 young people entering the labor force each year (SNBS 2025). According to official estimate, about 21.4% of Somalis are unemployed (SNBS 2025). Opportunities for formal employment and skills development remain limited, particularly for vulnerable youth facing displacement, interrupted education, and economic exclusion. In this context, access to structured training and support is not only a pathway to employment, but a critical safeguard against cycles of instability and marginalization.
With funding from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) through a joint peace-building programme supported by UNDP Somalia, locally led skills development and mentorship initiatives are helping young people gain access to vocational training and professional networks, and mental health and psychosocial support. Crucially, the support extends beyond the classroom. Participants are connected to private sector partners and employers, increasing their chances of securing meaningful work.
Launched in late 2025, the two-year project is designed to support 1,000 marginalized youth and women across multiple districts in Somalia, combining market-relevant technical training with integrated psychosocial support. As of April 2026, nearly 1,000 participants have completed the six-month training, with more than 200 securing employment within Somalia. Over half of those who have transitioned into jobs are women.
“This opportunity for me to learn these skills actually helped me become a better person for myself and my community, and it made me less exposed to the bad choices I could make,” says Mohamed. “Now I see that I can build something for myself.”
In contrast to Mohamed, who is still building his skills, Jabir Mohamed Hussein, stands as an example of how quickly training can translate into employment. At just 22, Jabir is among the 200 early birds who completed his training and swiftly found a job placement. After completing a six-month training in electricity and solar energy at Elman Academy in March 2026, he has already begun to translate his skills into real opportunities. While still undergoing training, Jabir secured a job opportunity with one of Somalia’s largest electricity companies, BECO, through the support of the centre.
“While I was still in training, I received a job opportunity with BECO, the largest electricity service provider in Somalia,” said Jabir.
The Elman Peace Centre supported him with a recommendation letter that helped him get selected. Now, he applies the electricity and solar skills he gained during his six months of training in his day-to-day work.
Muna Osman Adawe, 21, is another trainee, who is specializing in mobile phone repair at the same centre in Mogadishu. Sitting at her workstation, she carefully opens a handset, studies its internal components, and methodically begins the repair process. As one of the few women in this field, her presence stands out in a sector where men dominate nearly every aspect of the work.
“When I graduate, I hope to be one of the first mobile repair experts in town,” says Muna.
She got interested in this sector because of the growing importance of digital connectivity and smartphones. “When I first joined the training, I saw that most of the people working and succeeding in this field were men, especially in the markets,” Muna says. “But instead of feeling discouraged, it motivated me. I realized this is a space where women can also grow and succeed. I want to build my skills, prove my capabilities, and show that women can be part of this sector just as much as men.”
In Somalia, the mobile repair sector remains overwhelmingly male-dominated. In many markets, it is rare to find even a single woman working in this field, with most repair shops run and operated by men. For Muna, stepping into this space is also about breaking stereotypes.
The opportunity to gain these skills has strengthened her belief that she can build a stable future through her own effort while also changing perceptions within her community.
“Today, this skill has given me new confidence that I can help my community with the knowledge I’ve gained, and also support myself,” Muna explains. “Before, I did not know anything about mobile phones beyond just their names. Now, I have a skill that allows me to work and earn a living in the market.”
Her experience reflects a broader national effort to expand opportunities for young people through skills development and employment pathways, supported by government institutions and partners.
Underscoring this commitment, the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports emphasized the importance of investing in youth as a driver of long-term development.
“This initiative demonstrates the power of investing in Somali youth. By equipping young people with skills and connecting them to employment, we are building a more resilient, productive, and peaceful future,” said Hamza Abdiwahab, Director of Planning at the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports.
As experienced by Mohamed, Jabir and Muna, the training course has brought a turning point in hundreds of Somali youths.
For mentors working alongside these youth, the transformation is visible not only in technical ability but also in confidence.
“As mentors, we guide these youth in areas that go beyond technical skills, equipping them with the knowledge to generate income. We focus on building their confidence, creativity, and critical thinking, while also supporting their mental wellbeing through activities such as chess sessions and sports,” says Omar Herse Mohamed, a plumbing instructor at Elman Peace Center.
The students get continued support in connecting them to the market for job placement, even after the completion of their training, according to Omar.
This approach forms part of a wider effort to strengthen community resilience, social cohesion promote dialogue, and advance peaceful values within the communities’ culture and religion. By investing in youth opportunity and social inclusion, the broader initiative contributes to reducing the appeal of organized violence while reinforcing pathways toward stability.
"KOICA remains committed to supporting peacebuilding, preventing violent extremism, and empowering youth and women, in close partnership with UNDP," says KOICA Country Director, Mr. Wankyu Park.
"What stands out is not only what these young people have learned, but who they are becoming—confident individuals who choose peace in their everyday lives. Their journeys are particularly meaningful as we see more women entering traditionally male-dominated fields. It is encouraging to see how newly acquired skills are being translated into real opportunities, demonstrating that with the right support, tangible transformation is already taking place."
"Investing in youth is investing in peace." - UN Assistant Secretary-General and Director of UNDP's Crisis Bureau Shoko Noda, sharing her impression after interacting with some of the Somali youth at the training center.
About the project
This initiative is part of an ongoing project -- Building Resilience Through Youth and Women's Economic Empowerment and Mental Health Support in Somalia -- implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and funded by the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). The two-year project (2025-2027) works with both state and non-state agencies to achieve peace and national cohesion, enhancing community resilience and fostering long-term stability.
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