In Focus: Some resources like policies, initiatives and funding available for women entrepreneurs in Somalia
#SomaliWomenInBusiness #EmpowerHerSomalia #WomenEntrepreneursAfrica #FromSurvivalToSuccess #FinancialFreedomForHer
Tucked away in the strategic “Horn of Africa,” Somalia is often in the headlines for all the wrong reasons – conflict, instability, and economic hardship. But look a little closer, and you’ll find something remarkable happening beneath the surface: Somali women are quietly – and courageously – fueling the country’s entrepreneurial heartbeat.
Across bustling markets and busy trade hubs, women are running businesses in food, livestock, and retail. Their ventures may not always make international news, but they’re keeping local economies afloat, creating jobs & supporting families. And the challenge? These women are doing it all in a system that hasn’t quite caught up with them.
From a lack of collateral and credit history to limited financial literacy and cultural roadblocks, accessing business loans is still a steep uphill climb for Somali women. Add to that the scarcity of gender-inclusive financial products and training programmes, and it’s clear – there’s a long way to go.
Micro Loans, Mega Impact: Empowering Somali Women Entrepreneurs
But here’s the good news – change is on the horizon. More organizations and government bodies are recognizing the economic power of women entrepreneurs and stepping up with targeted support – from microfinance options and mobile banking to digital skills training and market access initiatives.
Now let us explore the growing ecosystem of resources available to women entrepreneurs in Somalia – what’s working, what’s missing, and how women are navigating it all with grit and grace. Because when Somali women rise, communities thrive.
- Somali Women Empowerment Organization (S.W.E.O)
Somali Women Empowerment Organization (S.W.E.O) is a non-governmental, voluntary and independent organization, established in June 2010 in Afgoi-Somalia-South central Regions of Somalia.
The main goal of S.W.E.O. is – to consolidate women’s roles and capabilities in the Somali community through enhancing their social, political, economic and cultural participation.
What are the activities this body is involved in? S.W.E.O conducts trainings, Micro-Credit, seminars, conferences and Domestic-workshops that foster an exchange of information and experience among national, regional and international human rights movements.
- The Somali Women Empowerment Initiative (SWEI)
The Somali Women Empowerment Initiative (SWEI) is a women-led, grassroots non-governmental organization. They are dedicated to transforming the lives of Somali women and girls through empowerment, education, and access to opportunity.
Founded in 2018 in Mogadishu by a network of Somali women professionals and community advocates – SWEI was born out of a collective desire to confront entrenched gender inequality, dismantle systemic barriers, and create pathways to leadership, self-reliance, and dignity.
Their Vision is – To create an inclusive and equitable society in which Somali women are empowered, respected, and active agents of change in all aspects of life.
And their Mission is – To work for economic development & community engagement, while promoting gender justice and protecting women’s rights across Somalia and the diaspora.
- Somali Women’s Association (SWA)
Somali Women’s Association (SWA) is one of the oldest non-profit, women-led NGOs in Somalia. The organization was founded in 1993 by a group of intellectuals – mainly women who united their efforts and resources to help the vulnerable Groups of women, children and the poor people particularly, the internally displaced and the returnees.
Somali Women’s Association (SWA) programmes cover various areas that directly affect its target beneficiaries, namely women and children.
Women Empowerment is one of the main targeted areas. As a women-led organization, SWA is primarily focused on Women Empowerment, specifically on improving access to financial resources, entrepreneurship, and business grants for women – to enhance vocational training and promote market-relevant skills alongside financial literacy, and increasing girls’ access to education, especially in rural areas, and addressing socio-cultural barriers like early marriages is crucial. It advocates women’s participation in decision-making and leadership roles be promoted & legal reforms to protect women’s rights and ensure equal opportunities are also essential for long-term empowerment.
- The Women’s Economic Empowerment Program (WEE)
The Women’s Economic Empowerment Program (WEE) addresses the barriers women face in the Somali private sector. This initiative is designed to provide the necessary support – to help growth-oriented women entrepreneurs scale up and grow their businesses, while also strengthening and enhancing local entrepreneurial ecosystems around the specific needs of their firms. This allows the programme participants to produce measurable economic impact and job growth in their local communities.
The project also works to implement a series of support activities to create an ecosystem for women entrepreneurs that will strengthen the capacity of women’s business associations, engage government on economic policy and regulatory reforms, support the growth of women-owned businesses, and create an environment that fosters greater participation of women in the Somali private sector.
https://oneearthfuture.org/en/shuraako/womens-economic-empowerment-program
- Somali Women in Business (SWIB)
Somali Women in Business (SWIB) is a dynamic network dedicated to empowering Somali women entrepreneurs. By breaking socio-cultural barriers, SWIB advocates equal access to financial and technical resources, thus enabling women to build competitive, profitable small and medium-sized enterprises.
Through mentorship, training, and strategic partnerships – SWIB supports women in expanding their businesses locally and internationally, contributing to Somalia’s socio-economic growth.
Since its establishment, SWIB has become a powerful voice for Somali women in the business world, helping them thrive in challenging environments while shaping a brighter future for their communities.
https://www.linkedin.com/company/somali-women-in-bussines
- The COMESA Federation of Women in Business (COMFWB)
The COMESA Federation of Women in Business (COMFWB) was established in July 1993 in Zimbabwe with the endorsement of the Authority which is made up of Heads of States and Governments of the COMESA member states.
The Vision of COMFWB is -To be the most effective organization promoting women entrepreneurs in Africa
The specified Mission of COMFWB is – To develop women entrepreneurship in COMESA through programmes that promote, encourage and serve the needs of women in business, working in collaboration with relevant partners
COMFWB acts as a forum for the exchange of ideas and experience among women entrepreneurs; as an instrument through which the appropriate portion of COMESA Women in Development Programmes are implemented; a setup for networking among women entrepreneurs and as an instrument for encouraging women to start or expand existing enterprises.
https://www.comfwb.org/member/somalia
https://www.comfwb.org/about/who-are-we
- Financing Facilities in Somalia
In Somalia’s challenging financial landscape, accessing capital remains a huge hurdle, particularly for women and men running Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in productive sectors such as fisheries, farming & livestock. These sectors are viewed as ‘high-risk’ by Somali financial institutions, despite their potential to drive job creation and economic growth.
In a recent survey for the World Bank, only 46% of the Somali businesses could access overdraft facilities, with an even lower rate – 21% for women-owned businesses. The World Bank Group Somalia Country Private Sector Diagnostic report also provided access to finance for MSMEs and other businesses in productive sectors, as a key challenge in the country.
Gargaara MSME Financing Facility
In 2019, Somalia’s federal government launched an MSME financing facility, the Gargaara Company – to encourage lending to underserved businesses in productive sectors, as well as to MSME businesses developing renewable energy projects. Initially funded with $15 million from the World Bank’s Somalia Capacity Advancement, Livelihoods and Entrepreneurship, through Digital Uplift Project (SCALED-UP, 2019–2025), the facility received an additional $25 million during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Gargaara Company has established itself as a key player in the Somali financial system – for on-lending to MSMEs since 2019. It served as an apex institution that distributes funding through Participating Financing Institutions (PFIs). Now it supports nine PFIs, including seven of Somalia’s 13 commercial banks, plus two microfinance institutions. This means that farmers, fishermen, and pastoralists working in Somalia’s key livestock sector, and other entrepreneurs working on renewables, have been able to access funds more easily – to help their enterprises thrive, develop & expand.
In 2023, Somalia’s Gargaara MSME Financing Facility secured an additional $19 million in funding from German development bank Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW). This added capital has allowed it to increase disbursements & diversify its portfolio to businesses in – education, health, hospitality & small manufacturing.
Avtar Madan
Shree Lahiri
Himanshu
