Dear Somali Youth,
Federal Republic of Somalia is a nation with immense potential, and its greatest asset is its young population. With nearly 70 percent of the country’s citizens under the age of 30, you represent the driving force behind Somalia’s future. According to the United Nations, Somalia has one of the highest proportions of youth in the world, a demographic advantage that, if harnessed correctly, can transform the nation into a powerhouse of innovation, development, and stability.
In many parts of the developed world, populations and governments are struggling with aging populations and declining labor forces. The global youth population, according to the United Nations, is projected to reach 1.3 billion by 2030, making up 16% of the total global population. However, Somalia is blessed with the advantage of youth—dynamic, energetic, and capable of shaping a brighter tomorrow.
The question is not about how blessed we are, but how will you use this opportunity?
But to do that, youth must make a choice. Will you focus on division and identity debates, or will you focus on growth and growing the nation? Will you waste time on disruptive clan politics, or will you invest in the future of the nation?
Too many young people are trapped in a cycle of tribalism—defending old rivalries that have done nothing apart from further destroying our country and derailing the nation’s progress.
Tribalism is primitive. It is outdated. It belongs in the past. It is the reason that led to Somalia’s collapse. It is the reason we have suffered decades of war, displacement, and underdevelopment.
It is the reason our people remain divided when they should be united. Tribalism does not put food on your table. It does not give you a job. It does not build schools, hospitals, or businesses. All it does is keep us fighting while the rest of the world moves forward.
Look at your peers across Africa. In Kenya, Gen Z is acting as a force for change, refusing to accept the status quo. Young Kenyans, overlooking their different tribal identities, are leading protests against corruption and poor governance, advocating for transparency and accountability. They are using social media to challenge outdated leadership and mobilize for real change. They are not waiting for opportunities; they are creating them.
They are building tech startups, shaping the creative industry, and pushing for innovation in agriculture, business, and governance. For example, Kenya’s Silicon Savannah has produced globally recognized startups such as M-Pesa and Twiga Foods, providing solutions to everyday challenges. Similarly, Nigeria’s young tech entrepreneurs have built fintech firms like Flutterwave, a billion-dollar company transforming digital payments across Africa.
Meanwhile, too many Somali youth waste these same tools—social media and the internet, especially TikTok—by publishing toxic tribal content that is spreading hate and deepening divisions. Instead of using these platforms to learn, connect, and build, they engage in clan-based propaganda and useless debates that only harm our progress.
Imagine what we could achieve if Somali youth redirected their energy toward something meaningful—if they used their voices to advocate for education, economic development, and social change rather than fueling old conflicts.
Somalia does not need more division. It needs unity. It needs young people who think beyond clans and focus on real progress. It needs skilled professionals, business leaders, innovators, and problem-solvers. It needs youth who can compete with their likeminded peers in Kenya, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and the rest of Africa, not just among themselves.
In Rwanda, youth-led innovation and resilience have played a crucial role in rebuilding a nation devastated by genocide. The country’s youth have contributed to an economic boom, leading Rwanda to become one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies. This shows that even in the aftermath of extreme national crises, young people have the power to rebuild and redefine their nation’s future.
So, I ask you—what kind of future do you want? One where you remain stuck in the past? Or one where you rise, develop new skills, and take control of your destiny? The choice is yours. Somalia’s future is in your hands.
Reject division. Choose progress. Build skills, not barriers. Use the internet for knowledge, not for hate. Compete with the world, not with each other. It is time to rise.
Sincerely,
A Fellow Somali Who Believes in Your Potential
