Building Futures through Employment and Infrastructure
ILO’s work in Somalia tackles unemployment and supports stability
In Somalia, the ILO is building more than roads, it is building futures. Through infrastructure projects, skills training, and labour law reforms, the Organization is tackling youth unemployment, supporting peace, and strengthening partnerships with government, employers, and workers to create lasting change.
19 September 2025
Addis Ababa (ILO News) - The International Labour Organization (ILO) is driving change in Somalia by combining infrastructure development with job creation, offering hope in a country still grappling with conflict and high youth unemployment. Through projects such as road construction in Baidoa, the ILO is creating opportunities for young people, strengthening local economies, and supporting peacebuilding efforts.
The ILO Country Director for Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan, Khumbula Ndaba explained that the organization’s interventions are part of the wider United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework and Somalia’s National Transformation Plan. “We are part of the UN family, one of the agencies operating from Somalia and part of the UNCT. Within this framework, development and humanitarian interventions are agreed and executed,” he said.
One of the flagship initiatives is the rehabilitation of road networks in Baidoa, financed by KfW. Beyond improving infrastructure, the project addresses youth unemployment, which stands at 34.7 percent in Somalia. “It is intended to rehabilitate road networks and infrastructure, but it is also aimed at investing in the local population, ensuring that we deal with youth unemployment,” he noted. The initiative uses locally manufactured materials to boost domestic industry while creating jobs.
The project, now approaching its conclusion, has faced obstacles including severe flooding that delayed progress. Yet, despite these challenges, local partners, employers, and ILO staff on the ground have pushed ahead. “Colleagues have really done well. The project is working with local implementing partners, and they have driven this project,” the Director highlighted, commending the leadership of the Somali office.
These efforts have ripple effects beyond infrastructure. By providing young people with alternatives to conflict, the project contributes to stability. “This intervention is assisting in that you are able to refocus those people, get them to do something productive and that has really produced results,” he explained. “But my take on it is that we need more projects on the ground and we need to mobilize more resources.”
The ILO’s support in Somalia also extends to policy and governance. The organization has helped modernize the labour code, updating it for the first time since the 1970s, and developed a just transition policy. This ensures that as Somalia embraces new technologies and shifts toward greener economies, workers are not left behind. “Otherwise in the absence of that what you will have is escalation of unemployment because the figures as it is quite high,” the Director warned.
Occupational safety and health is another priority. The ILO has conducted training and assessments that revealed widespread non-compliance in industries. Encouragingly, Somali stakeholders are eager to strengthen protections. “Somalis are open about it. They are receptive and they want assistance,” he said, underscoring the momentum for reform.
Skills development is also central to the ILO’s interventions. Through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes and business enterprise development projects, the organization is helping align training curricula with labour market needs. “You identify skills that are required for the market and then you train around those specific skills,” the Director explained.
Despite the challenges of conflict and limited resources, the ILO’s partnerships with government, employers, and workers in Somalia are strong. “On the relationship side, we are quite happy about our relationship with both workers, employers as well as government. In Somalia, this relationship is solid and sound,” he emphasized.
With ongoing projects and negotiations for future funding, the ILO remains committed to advancing decent work, stability, and resilience in Somalia. “Of course, with more resources we can do more, and that is why we are negotiating with the sponsor for a project in the future,” the Director concluded.