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New research reveals that 26% of surveyed digitally skilled young Somalis waited more than a year for their first paid work, while 39% experienced payment-related difficulties.

MOGADISHU, Somalia | 27 October 2026 — Young Somalis acquiring digital skills continue to face significant barriers to securing employment and earning income, despite the country’s expanding digital economy, according to a new policy paper published by Ubah Media Lab.

The study, Digital Skills and Labour-Market Frictions in Somalia’s Digital Economy: Evidence on Labour-Market Access and Cross-Border Payment Systems, finds that weak connections between skilled young people and employers, alongside limited access to international payment systems, are undermining opportunities for young Somalis to benefit from digital transformation.

Authored by Mohamed Malin, Policy Analyst at Ubah Media Lab, the research draws on a survey of 23 digitally skilled young people across Somalia’s Federal Member States and Banadir, complemented by seven in-depth interviews with digital workers, innovation-hub representatives and a government official.

Among those surveyed, 26% took more than 12 months to secure their first paid digital work, while 61% reported receiving some form of support, including mentorship, internships, networking or career guidance, to access employment opportunities.

The study also identifies significant challenges in receiving payments for digital services, particularly from international clients. Nearly four in ten respondents (39%) reported experiencing payment-related difficulties.

These challenges appeared especially pronounced among female respondents, with 70% of surveyed women reporting payment difficulties, compared with 15% of men. Researchers caution that the small sample makes these findings indicative rather than representative of Somalia’s wider digital workforce.

Young workers face barriers beyond technical skills

Somalia has experienced substantial growth in digital connectivity, with 83% of its population covered by 3G networks in 2024 and more than 87% estimated to use mobile money. However, this progress has not automatically translated into accessible employment opportunities for young people.

Mohamed Malin, Policy Analyst at Ubah Media Lab and author of the study, said:

“For many young Somalis, acquiring digital skills is only the first step. The real challenge begins when they try to turn those skills into paid work. Our research highlights how weak connections with employers and barriers to international payments can prevent capable young professionals from benefiting fully from the digital economy.”

The research identifies two recurring structural barriers.

First, young people often lack effective pathways connecting digital-skills training with employers and paying clients. While digital innovation hubs provide internships, mentorship and networking opportunities, these initiatives remain fragmented and cannot independently resolve wider labour-market challenges.

Second, limited integration with international payment and correspondent-banking networks restricts the ability of Somali digital workers to receive earnings from overseas clients.

In one case documented by the research, a female data analyst was unable to access a payment of US$2,000 for more than a year because her international client used PayPal, which she could not access in Somalia.

The findings highlight how young professionals may possess marketable digital skills and secure international assignments yet remain unable to receive payment for completed work.

Ubah Media Lab calls for stronger employment pathways and financial inclusion

The policy paper argues that expanding digital-skills training, while important, will not be sufficient without parallel investment in employment pathways, financial infrastructure and institutional coordination.

Said Isse, Founder of Ubah Media Lab, said:

“Somalia has made remarkable progress in digital connectivity and innovation, but the success of our digital economy must ultimately be measured by the opportunities it creates for young people.

“We need to move beyond training alone and build an ecosystem where young Somalis can access employers, compete for international work and receive payment for their services.

“Government, financial institutions, businesses and development partners all have a role to play in making this possible. Digital skills should not simply equip young people with knowledge; they should open pathways to meaningful employment, economic independence and sustainable livelihoods.”

The policy paper calls for four priority actions:

1. 1. Strengthen links between training and employment through structured partnerships connecting digital-skills providers, employers and public institutions.

1. 1. Improve access to international payment systems through regulatory reform, stronger correspondent-banking relationships and expanded access to global financial services.

1. 1. Use public-sector digitalisation to create jobs by opening transparent procurement opportunities in web development, data services, design and digital content to young Somali professionals and enterprises.

1. 1. Invest in locally led partnerships that build on the experience of Somali digital hubs, institutions and employers rather than creating parallel employment programmes.

The research also highlights the role of public institutions in establishing an enabling environment for digital employment, while recognising the fiscal, technical and institutional constraints affecting implementation.

Building an inclusive digital economy

The findings come against a backdrop of persistent youth unemployment in Somalia. Official labour-force data cited in the study place youth unemployment at 37.4%, rising to 40.8% among young women, while approximately half of young people are neither employed nor participating in education or training.

Ubah Media Lab argues that realising the economic potential of Somalia’s digital transformation requires greater attention to what happens after young people complete training.

The study contributes to policy discussions on youth employment, digital inclusion and economic development by examining the practical barriers encountered by digitally skilled young Somalis.

Its author emphasises that the findings are exploratory, based on a small, purposively selected sample weighted towards young people already earning from digital work, and should inform further research and policy dialogue rather than be interpreted as nationally representative estimates.

ENDS

Notes to editors

About the research

The policy paper, Digital Skills and Labour-Market Frictions in Somalia’s Digital Economy, was authored by Mohamed Malin, Policy Analyst at Ubah Media Lab, in 2026.

Data were collected between January and May 2026 through an online survey of 23 digitally skilled young people (10 women and 13 men) and seven semi-structured interviews involving four digital workers, two digital-hub representatives and one official from Somalia’s Ministry of Communications and Technology.

About Ubah Media Lab

Ubah Media Lab is a Somali-led media and digital development organisation working to empower young people through media development, digital literacy, research, strategic communications and technology-driven innovation. Through its research and capacity-development initiatives, the organisation seeks to advance youth participation, digital inclusion and locally led development.

Media enquiries

Ubah Media Lab
Email: info@ubahmedialab.org
Website: www.ubahmedialab.org
Mogadishu, Somalia

Research publication: Digital Skills and Labour-Market Frictions in Somalia’s Digital Economy (2026), Mohamed Malin, Ubah Media Lab.