The United Nations has unveiled a training programme on business acumen for Somali business owners.

The United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) in-conjunction with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) on Saturday educated at least 30 business owners on business opportunities available within the United Nations.

The half-day seminar held at the United Nations premises in Mogadishu, also provided the business owners with tips on how to do business with the UN.

“I thank the UN for the much-needed seminar for our business people. Our business people have been frustrated because of lack of know-how on how to register with UN agencies. And there was a myth about UN not wanting business people to take part. Today, I think they have solved that issue and I thank the Government, which put in a lot of effort; from the President to the Ministers. I thank them. From there, UN and our Chamber of Commerce can work together,” said business owner Mr. Hashim Duale.  

The Director of Mission Support at UNSOS Mr. Amadu Kamara reassured the business community in Somalia of the UN’s readiness to do business with local businesses.

“Part of our objective as well is to engage as many Somali companies as possible in this initiative because it creates employment as part of the capacity building that is integral to the recovery of the country. And as observed by our SRSG, one of the most vibrant aspects of Somali society is the commercial industry. There are challenges with the security sector. There are political complications, but by and large, the private sector has been very successful, operating across clan lines, geographical locations,” noted Mr. Kamara in an interview on the sidelines of the seminar.

The Federal Minister of Commerce and Industry, Eng. Abdirashid Mohamed Ahmed represented the Federal Government of Somalia. The minister said, “I would like to encourage the UN to continue supporting local companies; and call on local companies to respect the processes and procedures in place and to register with the Ministry of Commerce. From our side (Government), we will facilitate.”

The Chairman of the Somali National Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Mohamud Abdi Ali, echoed the minister’s sentiments. “If we Somalis succeed in getting the UN contracts, we will employ fresh graduates, whom the International Labour Organisation is helping to train,” he said.

Ms. Fouzia Abass, the UNSOS Chief of Base in Mombasa noted that Somali registered companies had done business worth US$18 million with the United Nations since 2014. She singled out lack of knowledge on how to do business with the UN, as the biggest challenge facing many Somali business owners. Ms. Abass encouraged local companies to register with the UN Global Marketplace database (UNGM), to access procurement opportunities.