by Moustapha Negueye, Somali Digital Media Academy (SODMA), Somalia.
In Somalia, where nearly 70% of youth face unemployment, access to practical training and job opportunities remains a critical challenge. The Somali Digital Media Academy (SODMA), founded in 2017, seeks to address this gap by equipping young people with essential digital media skills, enabling them to transform their passion into viable careers and contribute to the growth of Somalia’s media sector.
Tackling youth unemployment through digital media
Somali youth face systemic challenges: scarce job opportunities, limited formal training and barriers to entry in many professional fields. Against this backdrop, digital media is emerging as a powerful catalyst for change, opening new avenues for employment and entrepreneurship.
Abdirahman Yusuf Hassan ‘Bukhari’, founder and director of SODMA, reflects on the academy’s mission: “In a country where approximately 70% of youth face unemployment, SODMA addresses the technical gaps within Somali media, encompassing aspects like filming, media ethics, editing, and modern design. This approach mirrors the rapid transformations occurring in these fields globally.”
Starting the academy was not easy. Bukhari recalls: “I started SODMA with my own funds and some support from my friends. When the academy began to operate, some students from wealthier families paid tuition fees that supported its work. We also had volunteer trainers who shared their knowledge and skills with students from disadvantaged families and persons with disabilities in the community.”
A practical curriculum that transforms lives
SODMA offers a diverse range of short courses, including photography, videography, digital journalism, graphic design, live broadcasting and video editing. The academy emphasises hands-on learning, preparing students to meet industry demands and compete in a dynamic media market.
Graduates like Issa Abdallah, who specialised in wedding photography and videography in 2019, embody this transformation. Faced with limited job opportunities, Issa founded Murad Media Production, now a creative hub employing dozens of young Somalis. As Issa explains: “Acquiring skills is essential in a country like Somalia. Skills provide access to livelihood opportunities and shape the future.”
Similarly, Khadra Beid, who graduated in 2020, founded Batan Production, empowering young women through training and mentorship. “When a young woman has a clear skill, her job prospects grow, her confidence rises, and her contribution to society becomes greater,” Khadra explains.
Others, like Yahye Hersi, combine their training with public service as the official photographer for Somalia’s Parliament, elevating the quality and credibility of Somali media coverage. “Photography is more than just a snapshot; it is a visual story that preserves institutional memory and connects the event to the public,” Yahye notes.
And Ameera Suleiman, a 2024 graduate, now works as a multimedia journalist at KAB TV, blending storytelling with technical production. “I encourage Somali girls to acquire skills, especially as unemployment rates among young women remain high. Skills are the bridge to real opportunities,” she affirms.
Commitment to women’s inclusion and social impact
Bukhari stresses the importance of women’s full inclusion in digital media: “Women journalists challenge social stereotypes and bring new viewpoints to media coverage. We have provided free training to young women who have gone on to succeed professionally – such as Khadro Ahmed Biid, who now directs a children’s channel at Bile Media.”
He also finds deep personal reward in these successes: “It is incredibly rewarding to see someone you have trained apply their learning and find fulfilment in their work. Some graduates now support elderly parents or orphaned relatives. It’s uplifting to witness their journey from unemployment to productive engagement.”
Building a stronger, more professional media sector
Since its founding, SODMA has grown from five volunteer trainers to a dedicated staff of 20, serving nearly 3,000 students from across Somalia. The academy has partnered with the Al Jazeera Media Institute and other organisations to ensure its curriculum meets international standards.
In 2024, SODMA was honoured with the Digitally Fit – East Africa Award, enhancing its credibility and opening doors to new partnerships.
Looking ahead: innovation and collaboration
SODMA plans to integrate emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, augmented reality and virtual reality into its training programmes. The academy also seeks to expand its reach to underserved areas, foster a pan-African alumni network and support graduates in launching media enterprises.
Bukhari extends an invitation for collaboration: “Our goal is to empower Somali youth to thrive in an evolving digital world. We welcome partners committed to youth empowerment and media development to join us in building a vibrant, inclusive digital media future for Somalia.”
Contact and partnership opportunities
📧 info@sodmaacademy.com
🌐 sodmaacademy.com
📍 Mogadishu, Somalia
Author
Moustapha Negueye is a Somali documentary filmmaker and photojournalist. He is also a media trainer passionate about youth empowerment and storytelling. He collaborates with the Somali Digital Media Academy (SODMA) to promote media literacy and digital education among Somali youth.
