Somalia Rising
SOMALIA
RISING
Somalia Rising
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omalia is going through a unique and progressive transformation, with immense trade opportunities to be exploited. Strategically located in the Horn of Africa and home to the longest coastline on the continent, the country is within reach of international transportation hubs in both the Middle East and Indian Ocean.
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espite two decades of conflict, Somalia’s agricultural sector has remained resilient and production is growing to meet rising regional and
Pulses
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s the world’s 12th largest producer, Somalia plays a substantial role in global sesame trade. Production has grown an estimated 40% in the past five years to reach 90,000 tons, earning Somalia approximately US$ 300 million annually - a relatively small amount compared to its potential.
international demand for high-quality agricultural commodities.
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omalia’s major ports, including Mogadishu and Kismayo in the south, and Berbera and Bosaso in the north, are a short distance to and from the main production areas. This combined with fertile agricultural land and a well established private sector has put Somali business at a turning point in terms of global trade.
Top: Capacity building in cold chain repair and maintenance. Omar Faruk/GEEL. Above: Inspection of sheep at a quarantine centre. Ali Mohamed/GEEL.
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omalia is one of few countries in the world where sesame is grown as a traditional crop and demand is high for the drought resistant,
organically grown and rich tasting produce. The seed is mainly exported to the Middle East, India and China, but increased production has opened the door to new markets.
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aize, sorghum and beans are also cultivated in Somalia, with chick peas securing export in international markets. Demand for oil from processed sesame and sunflower seeds is on the rise, and businesses are expanding to capture the new market with Somali made products.
Top and above: Harvesting and sorting of sesame seeds. Ilyas Ahmed/GEEL.
Livestock and Dairy
Fresh Fruits
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omalia was once the largest banana exporter in East Africa, employing over 120 thousand workers and exporting products worth $96 million annually to markets in Europe, especially Italy, and the Arabian Gulf. After two decades of civil war, banana exports only resumed in 2014 to Middle East markets, including the United Arab Emirates, reconnecting historical trade ties, and paving the way for a new era of global trade. Somali bananas are in high demand due to their unique taste and creamy texture, unmatched anywhere else in the world.
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nlike those grown elsewhere, Somali bananas are not affected by panama disease and are grown organically in mineral rich soil and at optimum temperature. The same applies to many of the variety of other fruits grown in the country. Somalia boasts 8.5 million hectares of rich arable land that produces chemical free, export quality fruit like grapefruit, mango, orange, lemon, lime, guava, papaya and watermelon ready for harvest and trade.
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he livestock export industry is an important component of the Somali agricultural sector and accounts for 80 percent of Somalia’s exports. In 2015 alone, traders earned $384 million in exports, and the industry witnessed an annual growth of 6 per cent. In the same year, Somalia exported a record 5.3 million animals to markets in the Gulf of Arabia and Middle East; the highest number of live animals exported from Somalia in the last 20 years. Milk is also one of Somalia’s most economically important livestock product, with a value of $6.58 billion in 2013, equivalent to 81% of livestock contribution to economy.
Top: Processing of bananas for export. Above: Ripe lime just after harvest. Omar Faruk/GEEL.
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ppetite for Somali livestock, and its products is growing, especially goat meat and beef, which is said to be sweeter and less fatty than goats from other parts of the region. Livestock production has transformed to meet the growing demand while maintaining the high authentic Somali quality.
Top and above: Livestock for export ready to board a ship headed to the Middle East. Ilyas Ahmed/GEEL.
Who we are
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he Growth, Enterprise, Employment and Livelihoods (GEEL) Project works with the private sector to promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth in Somalia; focusing on both systemic initiatives that affect the whole economy, as well as sectoral initiatives benefiting the dairy, fisheries, sesame and banana sectors. Below are a few of the companies that we work with.
Al Mizan Ahmed Farah ameadco@hotmail.com
Rajab Group Ismael Ibrahim Hassan saajin_4@yahoo.com
Permanent spring Mohamed Mustafe Abdi mamu9991@hotmail.com
Hiiran Ag. Commodities Musse Abdulle AWale museawale3@gmail.com
Star Trading Abdirizak Hassan Ibrahim starcompany1983@gmail.com
White Sun Eco-Village Ibrahim Ashour somalilandfoodsolution@gmail.com
Dayah brothers Abdikarim Ali Ahmed cabdiyre@hotmail.com
Jubba Management Consultancy Services Khadar Mohamed Osman Dhukaasejm@gmail.com
Mandar Foods Ahmed Ali amasalaan@yahoo.co.uk
Moumin Group of Companies Abduweli Abdullahi Mumin arab@moumin.com Al-Ashraf International Company Hussein Mohamed Mohamud mooyomaal@gmail.com Danwadag Group of Company Abdishakur Sheikh Ahmed Kalif danwadaggroup@hotmail.com
SomFresh Fruit & Vegatables Hersio Abdulle Siad hersio.abdullesaid@gmail.com
Somaliland Beverage Industries (SBI) Moustapha Osman Guelleh moustapha.osman@gsk-group.com
Liin Hassan General Trading Liin Hassan liina54@hotmail.com
Bandoy Adam Ibrahim Adam abdulyare600@gmail.com
Roox Farm Barni Jama Jaqilod jamacsaidka@hotmail.com
Jambalul Agro-Cooperative Ismael Mohamed Ahmed iskawadani@gmail.com
Mohamed Dahir Mohamed Dahir Hashi yusufyare2011@gmail.com
Somali Pulses Association Ali Mohamoud Elmi elburpulse.company@gmail.com Haji Mire Farm
Laas-Qorey Tuna Factory Mohamed Ahmed Sheik headtuulo@gmail.com
Tayo Farming Company Abdirisaq Jama ajama2@gmail.com
Sowda Mire Osman saadamire12@gmail.com ADCO Hassan Abdi Hussein adcocompany1.info@gmail.com
KIISH Coconut Co. Khadra Abdullahi zawda9046@gmail.com Somalia Ministry of Agriculture Hamud Ali Hassan Deputy Minister
Bullaale Trading Co. Mowliid Nuur Omar Butco99@hotmail.com
Federal Republic of Somalia Dr. Zakaria Mohamed Member of Parliament
Daryeel Trading Co. Abdilahi Mohamed Hassen xiin@daryellogistics.com
Somalia Chamber of Commerce Hashim Ismail Duale Deputy Director
AHW General Trading Mohamed Ahmed Hassan wahoolm12@gmail.com Hamar Fresh Fruit Company Dahir Abukar SH - Omar daahirfc@gmail.com Darusalam Seed Company Ltd. Mohamed Bube Abdulle operations@darusalamseed.com
Somalia Rising This publication is made possible by the support of the American People through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of International Resources Groups (a subsidiary of RTI) and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government. Somalia Growth, Enterprise, Employment & Livelihoods (GEEL) Project: info@sogeel.org