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. Despite two decades of conflict, Somalia’s agricultural sector has remained resilient and production is growing to meet rising regional and 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.
Cover: Banana harvesting and packing in Somalia. Left: A farmer preparing land for cultivation. Top: Goats ready for export, Somalia Beverage Industries plant and banana cultivation. Joseph Njonjo/Migo.
Sesame
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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.
Fresh fruits
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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. Top: Flowering sesame plants. Top right: Land preparation for cultivation. GEEL.
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.
Top: Farmers tending to a young banana crop. Top right: Bananas being measured after a good harvest. Ali Abdi/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.
Livestock
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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.
Mohamed Dahir Abukar Hamar Fresh Fruits Managing Director daahirfc@gmail.com
Abdulrazaq Abdulle Siad Mogadishu Fresh Fruits Executive Director jiqley@hotmail.com
Abdirizaq Ahmed Naji Jubba Agro Equipment Service Business Manager naji114@hotmail.com
Ifrah Abdullahi Hassan Jubba Management & Business Consultancy Marketing Manager ifrah2512@gmail.com
Mohamoud Mohamed Hassan Somali Pulses Growers and Traders Association (SPGTA) Business Development and Marketing Mohammudharbi@gmail.com
Moustapha Osman Guelleh Miran Farm Company/GSK Managing Director moustapha.osman@gsk-group.co
Bube Haji Bube Darusalam Seed Enterprise Executive Director Bube696@hotmail.com
Mohamed Abdi Ahmed “Hannano” Somali Dried Lemon Association (SDLA) Member xasanliima@hotmail.com
Abdullahi Yusuf Ali Almizan Trading Company Manager Director ameadco@hotmail.com
Hassan Mohamed Farah Fruitsome Infrastructure Development enghason@Fruitsome.com
Abdiweli Abdullahi Moumin Moumin Group Agribusiness Development Manager agri@moumin.com
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ppetite for Somali livestock 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.
Hassan Abdi Hussein Nabuko Company Marketing and Sales Manager hassankafi345@gmail.com
Top and right: Camels and goats play a big part in Somalia’s export economy. Mohamed Abdinoor/ GEEL. Last page: Goats for export ready to board a ship headed to the Middle East. Ali Abdi/GEEL.
Hersio Abdulle Siad Somfresh Fruits & Vegetables Company Executive Director Hersio.abdullesaid@gmail.com
Hassan Barkhadle Wardon Somali Agricultural Farmers’ Association (SAFA) Chairman naji114@hotmail.com Mukhtar Mohamed Hassan Horn Africa Company Executive Director hornafriccompany@gmail.com
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