Global Entrepreneurship Week Hargeisa 2021
Global Entrepreneurship Event (GEW) – Connecting Innovators
Shaqodoon annually celebrates GEW, a global entrepreneurship event that commemorates investors who dream big to and launch start-ups that brings ideas to life. Shaqodoon in its unique programs that supports entrepreneurs existing and new ones that craft new entrepreneurial ideas and actualize them in the commerce world usually participates in Somalia and Somalia GEW events organized and sponsored by Shaqodoon.
These events create a platform for young entrepreneurs to showcase their innovations, business ideas and already running businesses to private and public sector leaders to spur their market penetrations and market competitiveness.
However, this year’s GEW event was a special one. It coincided with our 10-year anniversary event which was a long-awaited event and well planned for by our dedicated staff. The event attracted a wider audience from all backgrounds and took place at our partner Harhub’s gorgeous I-hub garden in Hargeisa for Somaliland, Pizza House Garden for Mogadishu and its environs, Garobits for Puntland region.
These events attracted 731 people from all these three locations in Somalia and Somaliland, the highest number of attendances recorded compared to our pasts GEW events. Participants were drawn from the business communities, government authorities especially from ministries of commerce and industries, youth and sports, labour and social affairs, like-mined NGOs both local and internationals, academia and investors.
Harhub’s Creative Garden, Hargeisa (GEW)
The Somaliland GEW event was well coordinated and information regarding the event were shared through our social media platforms with hashtags such as #GEWSomaliland #GEW to harmonize information and draw more global online audience into the conversation.
The event started with a welcome message from Shaqodoon’s program director to kick-start the event with Quranic verses and introductory message of who was presented and how the program was planned to roll-out as stipulated in the event agenda. Key persons attended the event from both private and public sector organizations. The chief guest of the event was Mr. Said Mohamed, director of Dahabshiil Group of companies.
This was followed by a brief speech by Shaqodoon’s Executive director highlighting the overall work of the organization with particular focus on the entrepreneurship support.
“The last 10 years have given us plenty of reasons to celebrate. Shaqodoon Organization for the past 10 years have provided state-of-the-art business development services to SME's, small businesses, and non-formal businesses plus access to finance with the help of our partnering banks, donors, partnering international NGO's and financial institutions - these businesses are responsible for the majority job creation in the community” said Mustafa Othman, Executive director, Shaqodoon organization.
The director general from Somaliland’s ministry of investment promotion Mr. Mohamed Somali acknowledged the work Shaqodoon is doing to help support Somaliland youth. In his own words he said,
“We profoundly thank Shaqodoon organization who was in the past 10 years dedicated to promoting and supporting Somaliland youth in their pursuit to attain decent jobs”
The event was officially launched by Mr. Mohamed Somali, and this followed speeches from some our partners on areas around business financing, enterprise development, technology, and the like.
Shaqodoon program director Mr. Abdiqani Dirie, who moderated the event briefed the event participants on some of the milestone achievements of the organization.
“Shaqodoon organization has reached many milestones, most prominently establishing two tech academies to produce high quality talent, working on innovations with the government including the Covid-19 call center. Business information line for ministry of trade, investment and tourism (MoTIT), Somaliland and beneficiary feedback systems for non-profit and private sector organizations, disbursing funds to SMEs and small businesses and empowering many youths along the way” said Mr. Dirie.
Representatives of other partners present in the event were given an opportunity to showcase their Shaqodoon partnerships on support for the Somali youth when it comes to employment and supporting initiatives that could potentially create jobs such as innovative entrepreneurial ideas.
Premier bank Somaliland branch representative Mr. Hussein Mohamed lauded Shaqodoon for its partnership and the crucial role the organization is playing to promote the welfare of youth in the country.
“Our partnership with Shaqodoon Organization, has resulted many youths from across the country to benefit from our programs from capacitating their skills and investments to launch their star-ups”.
Telesom Marketing manager, Mr. Abdirahman Aar, showcased how they’re unlocking business opportunities through technologies. He said,
“We have been working closely with Shaqodoon organization in the past 10 years and we have supported the organization on their needs around telecommunications, we know use of technology is a strong pillar of business growth in today’s era, as Telesom we look forward to having continued partnership with Shaqodoon in all its endeavours to empowering youth”
Also, Samir Duale, Somtel Marketing manager commended Shaqodoon Organization’s efforts and contributions towards promoting employment and decent work and joined the call to promote continued partnerships to sustained impacts of programs supporting youth.
“I call upon other NGOs, companies and other institutions to learn from Shaqodoon and I encourage them to promote partnerships and cooperation to strengthen youth programs” says Samir.
Shaqodoon celebrates Global Entrepreneurship Week annually to recognize the powerful role entrepreneurs play especially those who benefited from our programs as they lift lives, strengthen communities and accelerates self-reliance. Entrepreneurs drive economic growth, create jobs, and fuel economies critical to building resilient and self-reliant communities. By supporting entrepreneurs and their innovative ideas we amply their impact and allow them to grow and create jobs and significantly contribute to the economy.
Shaqodoon Celebrates Successful Trade Fair
Shaqodoon recently conducted a product fair for 50 businesses from across Hargeisa. The businesses showcased their products and services in small well branded tents and people had the opportunity to explore the products and services showcased. Among the participants touring the exhibitions included, financial institutions representatives, entrepreneurs, the academia, officials from the government and members of the community.
During the event, judges from academia, government officials from the ministry of trade, industries and tourism, professionals from all backgrounds and business communities visited the stands identified the best 10 best businesses who competed for prizes.
Additionally, 3 of the best business were selected for awards. Mumin technologies earned the 1st price as the best product, 2nd price was also awarded Sahal delivery as best sales team and the 3rd award went to Girls Hub as the best trade stand.
Importantly, the trade fair provided the businesses with an opportunity to better understand their market and increase the customer base through networking.
Shaqodoon’s Rigorous Entrepreneurship Competition Finalist Awarded
Shaqodoon LEAD program funded by the ministry of foreign affairs of the Netherlands and implemented in partnership with Spark organization continues to promote small and medium sized enterprises across Somalia and Somaliland. A component of this program mentors entrepreneurs through thorough selection and training and allows them to contests for an entrepreneurship award them in front of a business jury where they showcase their business plans. Awards were given to best six businesses from Hargeisa, Garowe and Mogadishu.
Here are summaries of the successful businesses.
Hargeisa-based:
Afri-Tech is a small manufacturing business that produces agricultural organic fertilizers, technology devices, and vegetable and fruits production.
Laylis fitness and massage center, a licensed therapy center that offer healthcare related services such comprehensive, individualized wellness programs that guarantee best results.
Galariya, a company that offers its clients trade in services such exchanging their old phones with a new phone of their choice with an agreed amount of money as top-up.
Hopetech Company is digital marketing agency that offers social media marketing strategies, graphics both motion and still, commercial video advertisement and web design services.
Garowe-based:
Habeb Mill business is a cereal producing company that obtains farm produce from local farmers, process them and package for delivery to their clients.
Mogadishu based:
Shalambood Coconut company is that produces oils, cosmetics and charcoal soley from coconut.
The different categories of the entrepreneurship awards received by these businesses will help them grow and make impressive strides in their businesses.
Shaqodoon in its various programs support youth entrepreneurs through coaching them and leveraging their skills so that they improve their business outputs as they motivate many others along the way.
