Masaf Development Organization Marks World Youth Skills Day 2026 with Regional Forum on Skills, Enterprise, and Youth Employment

Jigjiga, Somali Region, Ethiopia — 15 July 2026

Masaf Development Organization (MDO), in partnership with the Somali Region Skills and Job Creation Bureau and Rays Microfinance Institution, hosted a regional forum in Jigjiga on 15 July 2026 to commemorate World Youth Skills Day under the global theme "Skills for a Shared Future." The event brought together government officials, financial institutions, academia, private sector representatives, development partners, and a large turnout of young people from across the Somali Region for a day of frank conversation about youth employment, enterprise creation, and access to finance.

The forum featured welcoming and opening remarks from the three organizing partners, followed by two panel discussions: the first on Enterprise Creation and Startup Finance, and the second — widely regarded as the most engaging session of the day — on Skills Development for the Future Workforce.

Opening the Conversation

The event opened with remarks from Mr. Ahmed Taman Hassan, Executive Director of Masaf Development Organization, who spoke about the significance of World Youth Skills Day and the reasons behind organizing the forum. He thanked Rays Microfinance Institution for its partnership and continued support, and extended his appreciation to the Somali Region Skills and Job Creation Bureau, participating development partners, and — in particular — the many young people who attended on their own initiative.

Mr. Ahmed then welcomed Mr. Abdulahi Muhyadin, Operations Manager of Rays Microfinance Institution, to the stage. Mr. Abdulahi underscored Rays Microfinance's commitment to investing in the region's youth, noting the institution's continued disbursement of small loans to growing youth-led startups across the region.

The moderators then invited Mr. Abdikadir Moalin Shugri, Deputy Bureau Head of the Somali Region Skills and Job Creation Bureau, who officially delivered the opening remarks on behalf of the Bureau, formally launching the day's programme.

Panel I: Enterprise Creation and Startup Finance

The first panel examined the journey from business idea to sustainable enterprise, and the barriers young entrepreneurs face in accessing finance. Moderated by Mr. Mohamed Hariir, the panel brought together Mr. Mahamed Abdi Farah (Somali Region Skills and Job Creation Bureau, certified Business Development Services trainer), Mr. Abdiqadir Mahamed (Jigjiga University, Centre for Employability and Entrepreneurship), and Mr. Abdulahi Muhyadin (Rays Microfinance Institution).

Mr. Abdiqadir Mahamed pointed to two core challenges facing entrepreneurs in the region: attitude toward starting and sustaining a business, and a weak surrounding support ecosystem — noting that the region currently has no dedicated incubation or business support organization to mentor young innovators.

Mr. Mahamed Abdi Farah highlighted a related gap: many businesses in Jigjiga launch without proper market research, often starting with ambition and some capital but limited understanding of their product, service, or target customers. He also cautioned against unrealistic expectations of early profitability, noting that many young business owners mistake a business that is sustaining itself for a failing one, simply because it isn't yet highly profitable.

Mr. Abdulahi Muhyadin observed that many startups request financing beyond their actual repayment capacity, and encouraged entrepreneurs to build sound credit histories through appropriately sized loans rather than seeking amounts their business stage cannot support. He also addressed the challenge of collateral, explaining that Rays Microfinance, in partnership with the National Bank of Ethiopia, accepts livestock as collateral in recognition of the region's pastoralist economy — though recurring drought and climate shocks have made this increasingly difficult for many households. He reaffirmed the institution's commitment to easing collateral requirements for youth-led startups.

Panel I — Key Takeaways:

• Access to appropriately structured finance remains a central barrier for youth-led startups.
• Stronger business readiness skills, particularly market research, are essential to reducing early-stage failure.
• The region lacks a dedicated incubation and business support ecosystem.
• Climate shocks are compounding existing collateral challenges.
• Digital platforms should be used for marketing, not just entertainment.

Panel II: Skills Development for the Future Workforce

The second panel explored the critical skills young people need to succeed in the future workforce, how AI and technology are reshaping the labour market, and the roles of government, the private sector, and development partners in strengthening workforce readiness. Moderated by Mr. Ahmed Taman Hassan, the panel included Mr. Abdihakin (Somali Region Skills and Job Creation Bureau), Mr. Mahad (private sector representative), and Ms. Shamis, a young entrepreneur and skills trainer.

The discussion opened with a pointed question: with large numbers of unemployed university and TVET graduates alongside many open positions in the region, where exactly is the mismatch occurring? Mr. Mahad argued that most youth do not fail to secure work due to a lack of skill, but rather due to salary expectations that exceed what employers can offer, along with gaps in interpersonal and workplace-readiness skills. Mr. Abdihakin outlined the Bureau's efforts to expand access to skills training, noting that government owns and operates more than 17 TVET institutions in the region.

"When you travel to neighbouring countries or abroad, our youth from the Somali Region are often among the most engaged in skilled labour work — yet at home, many are reluctant to take up the same kind of work." — Deputy Bureau Head, Somali Region Skills and Job Creation Bureau

Participants raised concerns that large regional investments have not always translated into sufficient local employment, pressing panelists on how such projects can create jobs for local youth rather than bypassing them.

Ms. Shamis raised the growing influence of social media content creators who portray unrealistic "quick success" narratives, cautioning that success is not accidental and that no skill guarantees rapid income. She also noted that many young people struggle to remain consistent with a single skill, frequently switching between skills in search of quick returns and, as a result, achieving mastery in none.

Panelists and participants agreed that a disconnect exists between skilled youth seeking work and employers actively seeking talent, with much of the region's skilled labour still informal and unprotected. There was strong consensus on the need for TVET institutions to be more closely integrated with the private sector, and for more structured, scalable, and incentivized apprenticeship models.

Panel II — Key Takeaways:

• Youth unemployment is driven as much by wage expectations and workplace-readiness gaps as by a shortage of skill.
• Government TVET investment needs to be matched with stronger alignment to local job creation.
• Misleading social media narratives are shaping unrealistic expectations among youth.
• Skilled labour work remains largely informal and needs formalization and protection.
• Stronger, structured TVET–private sector partnerships and apprenticeships are needed to close the gap.

Closing Remarks

Mr. Ahmed Taman Hassan closed the forum by summarizing the day's discussions and the broader objectives of the World Youth Skills Day celebration. He extended his gratitude to all government and development partners, private sector representatives, and the young people who participated throughout the day, with special thanks to Rays Microfinance Institution and the Somali Region Skills and Job Creation Bureau for their partnership in making the event possible.

The forum brought together 12 development partners, 15 CSOs and youth-led groups, and more than 60 young people, marking one of the region's most substantive youth-focused dialogues on skills, enterprise, and employment to date. Masaf Development Organization and its partners are committed to carrying the day's recommendations forward into future programming for the Somali Region's youth.

Masaf Development Organization thanks Rays Microfinance Institution and the Somali Region Skills and Job Creation Bureau for their continued partnership in advancing youth skills, enterprise, and employment across the Somali Region.