Rich in agriculture, fisheries, livestock, oil, and gas, still in poverty!

I know It's a very difficult to believe that. And you may ask, why? But, Somalia has a strength that every country can be proud of: the youth. the population of Sub-Saharan Africa is growing faster compared to other regions. Somalia is among those African countries where youth form the majority of the population. According to the latest population estimate survey by the Ministry of Planning, 75 per cent of the population are below the age of 30.

Fragile and weak public institutions, insecurity, lack of quality education, poor infrastructure, and absence of decent employment opportunities have left many youths unemployed. Employment opportunities are limited, and The person to be hired is already chosen!

It is not a lie if I say unemployment is a problem all over the world rather, to be ranked higher. Although I cannot summarize here the causes of unemployment in Somalia, I think these few points are the best important.

Numerous factors contribute to mass unemployment in Somalia. The absence of a properly functioning government is likely the main cause. In the last three decades, state institutions have been weak or non-existent.

The number of universities in the country has increased in the past decade. Mogadishu alone hosts over 60 universities. But these higher education institutions do not produce many qualified students with a broad range of relevant skills.

The capacity of the government to build legal and physical infrastructure for investment and job creation has been badly damaged by the state collapse and subsequent protracted conflicts. Further, insecurity in parts of Somalia is another main contributor to unemployment.

people require the skill of production. The country's natural endowments including agriculture, fisheries, and livestock sectors are characterized by primary production that is, a production which requires little skill and low productivity. Most of the goods consumed domestically, many of which could have been produced in the country, are imported.

despite the limited employment opportunities in Somalia, other factors are exacerbated. These factors include a discrepancy between existing educational opportunities and the skills required in the job market, the concentration of job opportunities and, flawed recruitment processes. What the youth are taught in universities does not match the skills required by the labour market. For example, graduates often lack a good command of working languages and marketable skills. Privatization, insignificant regulation, insecurity and the frequent movement of students have all contributed to poor-quality education.

A number of the unemployed in Somalia do not get the opportunity to go to formal schools or access skills training. Many youths lack basic skills which could help them find employment in occupations. As a result, foreigners, mostly from neighbouring countries, are doing jobs in Somalia that require relatively basic technical skills.

Lack of transparency in recruitment is another factor that has contributed. Politicians represent clans. For young graduates to get a job in the public sector, they need to ask members of their clan to assist them in getting the job and when one requires employment in the public sector, one's clan identity is the most significant resource that youth can draw on to get the job.

Members of the parliament and ministers are asked to employ relatives in the public sector. This is a result of a lack of effective civil service institutions that hire public servants in a transparent, accountable and, formal process.

There are many young Somalis who want to make a difference and change any negative perspectives about Somalia or may have innovative business ideas, they lack financial resources, or access to government subsidies, commercial banks, and credit facilities to invest in them.

The challenges I mentioned above have their consequences. Let's look at it.

First, they risk their lives to seek opportunities elsewhere. for example, to migrate to other countries without being able to confirm what is ahead of them. while also being subjected to inhumane abuses while on the road.

Second, the unemployment crisis of the youth has caused some serious problems. prolonged unemployment among the youth in Somalia has left many with low self-assurance and self-esteem, which has left them vulnerable to recruitment by armed groups and criminal gangs.

Third, the use of drugs is seen as a way to ease the problems encountered by the youth. Addiction to khat has certainly been a contributing factor to unemployment and an underperforming economy. The use of Indian tobacco known as 'tabuu' is also increasing among the youth in Mogadishu

Fourth, unemployment among the young population has prompted many female graduates to arrange an early or instant marriage. The more female graduates stay at home without jobs, the higher the pressure from parents and relatives to get married.

Ultimately, I would recommend knowing that the unemployment challenges is an issue that needs collective work and cooperation among the different levels of government, the private sector and society at large. There are no quick solutions. Rather, a multi-pronged, long-term approach is necessary. However, certain things can be prioritized.

Education: improving the quality of education is a collective effort from all education stakeholders. education is the only solution and is seen as a channel through which a 'better life' can be attained.

Boosting local production: livestock, agriculture and crop production remains the dominant domestic production in Somalia

Technology and innovation: in today's world, technology impacts how people work, jobs and human behaviour. Technology and innovation can create more job opportunities for Somali youth. More innovation centres are needed that work genuinely and give Somali youth space for innovation and entrepreneurship.

Transparency: the recruitment process of available opportunities for the youth as well as youth-related interventions should be transparent and free from cronyism and nepotism

Support fund: The federal government together with the business community and the international donors could designate a trust fund for the youth.

Networking: The youth should start peer-to-peer networking.