SIMAD Innovation Lab

We are proud to celebrate the participation of Samira Hareed, our Digital Marketing Mentor at SIMAD Innovation Lab, in the YEPS II Training of Trainers (ToT) Programme.

Over three weeks, 15 young Somali trainers strengthened their skills in digital marketing, e-commerce, and AI, gaining practical knowledge to train others and expand employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for young people in Somalia.

The programme is part of YEPS II, implemented in collaboration with JICA - Japan International Cooperation Agency JICA Kenya and Wasaaradda Shaqada iyo Arrimaha Bulshada Soomaaliya and ILabAfrica- Strathmore University, with a focus on strengthening digital skills and creating new opportunities for Somalia’s youth.

As SIMAD iLab, we are proud to see our Digital Marketing Mentor contributing to this impactful initiative and helping shape the next generation of digital talent in Somalia.

Knowledge shared today creates opportunities tomorrow.

UGU DANBEYN

Waxaan si rasmi ah ugu dhawaaqi doonaa Tartan weyn oo loogu magac daray 𝗦𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗔 𝟭𝟬𝗫 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗡𝗚𝗘. Tartankaan oo ay si wadajir u qaban doonan SIMAD iLab iyo Astaan Media oo noqon doona TV Show-gii ugu horreeyay ee noociisa laga soo bandhigo tayada iyo awooda dhalinyarada soomaliyeed ee dalka gudihiisa wax ku bartay.

Muxuu yahay SOMALIA 10X Challenge?
Yaase ka qeyb gali kara?
ISBUUC DANBE iyo jawaabahaas.
....
We are officially announcing the SOMALIA 10X CHALLENGE. Jointly brought to you by SIMAD iLab and Astaan Media, this landmark national initiative is set to become Somalia’s premier tech accelerator TV Show.

Stay tuned. Big announcements coming your way next week

Waxaan door weyn ka qaadanay dood-wadaag ku saabsan maalgelinta iyo horumarinta ganacsiyada yaryarka iyo kuwa dhexe, gaar ahaan sidii ay ganacsatadu ugu diyaar garoobi lahaayeen helitaanka maalgelin iyo fursadaha maaliyadeed.

Waxaan sidoo kale la wadaagnay khibradda LEAP Microfinance, iyo doorka ay ka qaadato taageerada ganacsatada iyada oo loo marayo maalgelin, tababarrada ganacsiga ee haweenka iyo dhalinyarada, iyo la-talin ganacsi (business consulting).

Dooddu waxay ahayd fursad muhiim ah oo lagu xoojinayo fahamka, diyaar-garowga iyo helitaanka fursadaha maalgelinta ee ganacsiyada haweenka iyo dhalinyarada.

Our Acting Director, Ismahan Mohamed, took the stage today to facilitate an interactive session on digitalization, mobile payment integration, and expanding market access. Her leadership continues to pave the way for sustainable business growth and investment readiness.

This initiative is part of the e-WINS Project, co-funded by the European Union and implemented by ADRA Somalia in partnership with consortium partners and SOMINVEST Office.

We officially welcomed our Summer Skills 2026 participants as they begin a journey of learning, creativity, innovation, and impact.
This summer, our learners will gain practical skills through:
iLab Pro+: Digital Marketing, Graphic Design, and Video & Mobile Editing.
Freelancing 1.0: Building skills for the global digital marketplace.
AI for Robotics: Applying AI in the design and development of intelligent robotic systems.
We are excited to see our mentees learn new skills, explore new opportunities, and turn their ideas into impact.
Welcome to the community.

Congratulations to all young innovators who presented creative and impactful ideas during the final pitching of the SIMAD iLab Youth Innovation Challenge 2026!
Launched in celebration of International Youth Day, the challenge featured practical solutions in maritime safety, healthcare, agriculture, livestock, fire prevention, waste management, and education. Every idea presented was valuable, promising, and capable of contributing to positive change in Somali communities.
Special recognition goes to the champion team for their outstanding solution and achievement!
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As part of our commitment to student career development and career readiness, we hosted Hon. Ilham Gassar, Member of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), Somalia, for an insightful Career Talk on EAC Labour Mobility and Opportunities for Somali Young graduates.

The conversation explored regional labour mobility, emerging opportunities across East Africa, and how our graduating students can better position themselves as they prepare to enter an increasingly connected regional job market.
Our sincere appreciation to Hon. Ilham Gassar for sharing her insights, experience, and guidance with our students.
A special thank you to Saida Hassan for her support and contribution in making this important conversation possible.
Preparing students for opportunities at home and beyond.

On this International Youth Day 2026, SIMAD Innovation Lab brought together 50 of Somalia’s most dynamic young innovators for the Youth Innovation Challenge 2026.

Instead of just talking about the future, our youth spent 4 intense hours actively shaping it. Working in teams, they tackled real-world challenges across Somalia's key sectors: Agri-Tech, Waste Management, Infrastructure, Digital Skills, and Renewable Energy.

Guiding them through this high-pressure sprint were our expert mentors:
Refining business models & scalability
Structuring lean $10,000 / 6-month launch plans
Turning raw ideas into high-impact solutions

Dhalinyaradu ma aha oo kaliya ka qaybgalayaasha horumarka, waa hal abuurayaasha beddelaya maanta iyo beriba ee dalka

Stay tuned as these teams prepare to step onto the pitch stage

The job market is no longer limited by borders.

As our graduating students prepare to enter the professional world, understanding the opportunities emerging across the East African Community (EAC) is becoming increasingly important.

We are pleased to welcome Hon. Ilham Gassar, Member of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), Somalia, for a Career Talk exploring EAC labour mobility, regional career opportunities, and what Somalia’s growing regional integration means for young graduates entering the market.

Join the conversation and discover where regional integration could take your career.

From orientation to the classroom, Cohort I is now moving through a practical journey designed to strengthen career direction, professional readiness, and preparation for opportunities beyond graduation.

Over the coming days, we’ll take you inside Career Core, sharing the sessions, mentors, student experiences, and learning happening along the way.
The journey continues. From Campus to Career.