GIZ Somalia

“If you want change, you must start in your own home first.”   For Asho Ali Qaalib, the journey towards ending Female Genital Mutilation began at home.   After learning more about FGM and its consequences, she began to question a practice that had long been accepted as part of community life. Her perspective changed – and so did the decision she made for her own daughters: they would grow up without being cut.   Today, Asho is taking that change beyond her family. She speaks with others and encourages them to question FGM and consider a different future for their children.   But changing a deeply rooted social norm takes more than individual decisions. It also requires trusted voices who can provide information, address misconceptions, and create space for people to have open conversations.   This is where people like Xariir Cumar play an important role. As a youth advocate, Xariir provides communities with information about the consequences of FGM and helps challenge one of the beliefs that continues to sustain the practice: that FGM is a religious obligation. Through the work of our partner WAAPO in Somaliland, women and men, younger and older generations, community members and health advocates are engaging in conversations about FGM and the future they want for the next generation. Social norms do not change overnight. They change when people have the opportunity to question what has long been considered normal, when trusted voices provide new perspectives, and when individuals like Asho decide to put that change into practice – starting in their own homes. Watch Asho and Xariir share their perspectives on how communities can move towards a future without FGM. The regional programme Improving the Prevention of Female Genital Mutilation in the Horn of Africa works with local civil society organisations to strengthen community-led approaches to preventing FGM across the Horn of Africa. The programme is implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on behalf of Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

Building resilient cities starts with empowering the people who make them thrive Through the Entrepreneurship Promotion in Somalia (EPIS) Project, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH (GIZ Somalia), on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), supported a delegation from Jubaland State of Somalia to engage in global dialogue on inclusive and resilient urban development. The delegation included the Director General, Ministry of Planning, Investment and International Cooperation, Jubaland State of Somalia, and the Director General, Ministry of Women, Family Affairs and Human Rights, Jubaland State of #Somalia. The discussions brought an important perspective to the table: cities are not only places where people live they are places where livelihoods are built, businesses grow, opportunities emerge and communities become more resilient. For Somalia, this connection is particularly important. Supporting #women and #youngpeople to participate meaningfully in the economy requires more than #entrepreneurship training alone. It also means creating the conditions in which businesses can start, survive and grow including access to finance, secure spaces, infrastructure, basic services, protection and opportunities to connect with markets. The exchange also reinforced the importance of stronger collaboration between government, the private sector, financial institutions, development partners and communities in shaping more inclusive urban economies. For EPIS, these conversations provide valuable learning to strengthen approaches to women’s economic empowerment, SME development, youth entrepreneurship and inclusive urban economic growth in Somalia. Because when people have the opportunity to build businesses, create jobs and participate in their local economies, they are not only building livelihoods they are helping build more resilient communities. Global dialogue. Local action. A more inclusive economic future for Somalia. Isabelle Datz ,Dr. Purnima Doris Chattopadhayay-Dutt , Halima Roba and Edda Otieno #GIZSomalia #EPIS #Somalia #Jubaland #Entrepreneurship #WomenEconomicEmpowerment #YouthEntrepreneurship #SMEs #InclusiveGrowth #UrbanResilience #EconomicDevelopment #BMZ

One conversation can protect a generation   What does community-led action to end Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) look like in practice?   In Jilab, Garowe, Puntland, community volunteers are taking conversations about FGM directly to families. They create space to share experiences, question long-standing social norms, and talk about a future free from FGM.   For Aisha Abdille Omar, this work is personal.  Having experienced FGM herself, she now uses her voice and experience to advocate for ending this practice. Together with community educators such as Farhiya Jama Mohamud, Aisha engages families in deep conversations about FGM and the possibility of choosing a different path for the next generation.   Their work is part of an initiative implemented by our partner WIMISON with support from the Community Initiative Fund (COIN Fund) of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH Regional Programme on the Prevention of Female Genital Mutilation in the Horn of Africa.   Ending FGM requires more than awareness. It requires communities to engage with the social norms and expectations that sustain the practice, and more importantly people within those communities who are willing to lead these conversations that bring about change.   Watch the video below to hear directly from Aisha, Farhiya and the community in Jilab.   Change can start with one conversation and grow from household to household, family to family and generation to generation.   #EndFGM #GenderEquality #Somalia #Puntland #CommunityLedChange #GIZ

🌴 Date Palm Exhibition in Garowe: A Step Towards Food Security and Economic Development in Puntland 🌴 Earlier this month, the Puntland Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, supported by the Support to Agricultural Production and Quality Assurance (SPQA II) project, successfully organized a date palm exhibition in Garowe. This event served as a pivotal platform, bringing together government institutions, farmers, cooperatives, businesspeople, entrepreneurs, UN agencies, and local NGOs, including Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.   The exhibition was officially inaugurated by H.E. Ilyas Oman Lugator, Vice President of Puntland, who emphasized the significance of the date palm sector for the region's agricultural landscape in Puntland, Somalia.   During the event, various research findings and valuable information related to date palm cultivation in Puntland were presented. Attendees witnessed firsthand the immense potential of Puntland's date palm industry, which plays a crucial role in enhancing food security and driving economic development. Additionally, 4 tons of date were sold during the event from the farmers who displayed their products in the exhibition.   Currently, Puntland boasts approximately 347,000 date palm trees, yielding around 12,000 tons of dates annually, generating an impressive revenue of approximately $27,326,250.   This lucrative sector not only supports local livelihoods but also positions Puntland as a key player in the regional agricultural market.   A significant outcome of the exhibition was the communique issued by the ministry, announcing ambitious plans for the future. By 2031, Puntland aims to cultivate around 1 million date palm trees, further solidifying its commitment to sustainable agricultural practices and economic growth.   Moreover, it was agreed that this exhibition will become an annual event, scheduled for September each year, reinforcing the importance of collaboration among stakeholders in the agricultural sector.   The date palm exhibition in Garowe marks a significant milestone in Puntland's journey towards agricultural transformation and economic resilience. Together, we can harness the power of standards and cooperation to unlock the full potential of our agricultural resources.   #Puntland #Agriculture #DatePalmExhibition #FoodSecurity #EconomicDevelopment #GIZ #SPQAII

What happens when entrepreneurship training moves beyond theory and puts practical tools directly into the hands of business owners?   Through the Competency-based Economies through Formation of Enterprise (CEFE) methodology, 20 entrepreneurs in Kismayo completed a five-day Business Skills Training under the Entrepreneurship Promotion in Somalia (EPIS) Project).   The training focused on the skills entrepreneurs need in their day-to-day businesses from identifying opportunities and reaching customers to bookkeeping, financial planning, profit and cash-flow analysis, and developing practical business action plans.   CEFE is learning by doing. Participants worked through practical exercises and applied the tools directly to their own businesses. The journey was also supported by a dedicated Training of Trainers (ToT), equipping local facilitators with the skills and confidence to effectively deliver the CEFE methodology and support entrepreneurs beyond the training room.   That is the real measure of entrepreneurship training: not what happens during the five days, but what entrepreneurs continue to do afterwards. By investing in practical business skills and local training capacity, EPIS is supporting strengthen enterprises, create more sustainable livelihoods and contribute to resilient local economies across Somalia.   Through the Entrepreneurship Promotion in Somalia (EPIS) Project), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH Somalia, on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), continues to support entrepreneurs in turning ideas and skills into stronger, more resilient businesses.     Dr. Purnima Doris Chattopadhayay-Dutt, Isabelle Datz, Amina Ahmed and Halima Roba

Eight tractors. More land cultivated. Stronger, more resilient farms. 🚜🌱 For smallholder farmers in Jubaland, access to the right equipment can make a real difference not only in how much land they cultivate, but also in how they respond to drought and other climate-related challenges. Recently, the Promoting Climate-resilient Food Security in Southern #Somalia project (CFSP), implemented by GIZ Somalia with funding from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), handed over eight tractors to the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (MoAI) and communities in Jubaland. Before the handover, a crucial step was completed: an operation and maintenance (O&M) framework was developed and validated with relevant stakeholders. This ensures the investment goes beyond the ceremony, with clear arrangements for how the tractors will be operated, maintained, and managed over time. The tractors are part of a broader investment in climate-resilient agriculture, complementing the irrigation infrastructure supported through CFSP. Together, reliable access to water and appropriate machinery can help farmers: 🌱 Cultivate more land 🚜 Improve timely land preparation and farming operations 🌾 Increase agricultural production 💧 Use available water more efficiently 🛡️ Strengthen resilience to recurring drought and climate shocks But the investment is about more than tractors and irrigation. Strengthening food security, climate resilience, and sustainable livelihoods is a shared priority for #Somalia and #Germany. Through CFSP, this partnership is supporting practical investments that help farmers increase production, strengthen their livelihoods, and better withstand the effects of a changing climate. By putting O&M systems in place alongside physical investments, the aim is to ensure these assets continue delivering value beyond the handover. Climate resilience starts with making productive agriculture possible and with ensuring that the investments supporting it can last. #GIZ #Somalia #Jubaland #CFSP #ClimateResilience #FoodSecurity #SmallholderFarmers #Agriculture #DroughtResilience #SustainableLivelihoods #BMZ GIZ Somalia, Rebekka Bernholt, Arab yusuf, Ulrich Bormann, Kelvin Allan, Mohamed Abdi Omar, Sharlyne Karanja, #ChristineMukami

Building Capable Leadership, Strengthening Institutions, Accelerating Somalia’s Transformation The GIZ Somalia - Support of Agricultural Production and Quality Assurance (SPQA-II) project funded by Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) has successfully concluded a high-level leadership development programme (24 August – 28 August) for 20 senior officials (Director Generals) of the Federal Government of Somalia, bringing together leaders from key institutions across government at the Eastern Southern African Management Institute (ESAMI), in Arusha, Tanzania. Participants represented a broad range of institutions, including the Office of the Prime Minister, the EAC Affairs Office, MoCI, MoPMT, MoTCA, MoPWRH, MFBE, SoBS, (SARIS), and the Department of Governance, among others. The programme provided a strategic platform for senior leadership to strengthen their capacity to drive coordinated reforms and policy implementation, improve public-sector performance, and support Somalia’s effective integration into the East African Community (EAC). The training focused on critical areas of leadership, economic transformation, and institutional reform, including: ·      Agricultural trade policies, competitiveness and implementation ·      Roadmap implementation for Somalia’s smooth integration into the EAC ·      Whole-of-government coordination, integrity and anti-corruption ·      Results-based performance management and data-driven decision-making ·      Digital government, e-governance and public-sector cybersecurity ·      Public-sector leadership, self-mastery and behavioural change ·      Resource mobilization, development finance and public-private partnerships ·      Institutional action planning for sustainable reforms Beyond knowledge and skills development, the program placed strong emphasis on translating learning into practical institutional change. The program concluded with the development of individual and institutional action plans, providing participating leaders and institutions with concrete pathways to apply what they learned, strengthen coordination, mobilize resources, improve performance, and advance sustainable reforms. This marks an important step toward building a more capable, efficient, unified, and outcome-driven public sector—one equipped to respond to Somalia’s evolving economic and development priorities and to maximize the opportunities presented by EAC integration.

From ideas to opportunities: supporting women to build businesses that can grow. 🚀 Business often starts with a simple idea. Turning that idea into a sustainable opportunity, however, takes knowledge, confidence and the right support. Through the SEPOW Graduation Approach Project, implemented by GIZ Somalia on behalf of Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), women in Kismayo are developing business ideas that build on their skills, interests, and local opportunities. Through practical training and ongoing support from business mentors, they strengthen their knowledge in business planning, financial management, and record keeping, while developing their ideas into concrete business plans. To help ensure that these business ideas are grounded in real market opportunities, the women’s plans are reviewed by experts from different sectors, including local financial institutions and universities. By bringing in local market knowledge and business expertise, the review process helps refine the plans and strengthen their chances of success. Women are now taking the next step: turning their plans into action. The upcoming provision of productive assets marks an important milestone as they begin building their businesses, with continued guidance along the way. Because successful businesses are not created through resources alone – they grow from knowledge, confidence, and ideas that respond to real opportunities. #SEPOW #GraduationApproach #WomenEconomicEmpowerment #SmallBusiness #WomenEntrepreneurs #Somalia.

What happens when local professionals are equipped with the right tools to help entrepreneurs turn ideas into thriving businesses?   Through the Entrepreneurship Promotion in #Somalia (EPIS) Project, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH Somalia, on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), is investing in people who can take practical business skills closer to the entrepreneurs who need them.   The journey began in Nairobi, #Kenya, where 24 trainers, 12 from Baidoa and 12 from Kismayo, came together for a five-day CEFE Training of Trainers (ToT).   But this was more than a classroom training.   Using the Competency-based Economies through Formation of Enterprise (CEFE) methodology, participants learned through “learning by doing” working through practical exercises, business planning, marketing, financial management, bookkeeping and enterprise development. Alongside technical skills, they developed the facilitation skills needed to guide entrepreneurs through their own learning journeys.   Then came the real test: taking the learning back home.   In Baidoa and Kismayo, the newly trained facilitators applied the CEFE methodology through supervised Business Skills Trainings for SMEs, putting their new facilitation skills into practice while working directly with entrepreneurs. And the early results are encouraging. A local CEFE trainer pool is emerging for Somalia, with strong acceptance of the practical and participatory approach. Entrepreneurs particularly valued the hands-on learning around marketing, business planning and financial management.   This is the bigger picture: building local capacity so that knowledge does not stop with one training, one trainer or one project. By equipping Somali trainers to equip other entrepreneurs, EPIS is helping create a pathway for practical business knowledge to travel further supporting stronger MSMEs, better business development services and a more resilient entrepreneurial ecosystem across Jubaland and Southwest State.   #GIZ #EPIS #CEFE #Entrepreneurship #Somalia #SMEs #CapacityBuilding #TrainingOfTrainers #BusinessDevelopment #EconomicDevelopment #LearningByDoing