Figure 1: Mohamed Ise Osman on the field working on solar installation with the Tamarso company Photo by: Hani Mohamed
In the heart of Mogadishu’s Hodan district, 26-year-old Mohamed Ise Osman once found himself in a place many Somali youth know too well — holding a university degree yet facing an uncertain future. “I graduated from Somali International University in 2020 with a degree in Public Administration,” Mohamed begins. “I was full of hope. I thought the hard part was over, that a job would follow. But months passed, then years. I applied everywhere — government offices, NGOs, private companies — nothing came.”
Mohamed’s story reflects a broader reality in Somalia, where unemployment among university graduates remains alarmingly high, and academic qualifications alone often fail to meet the demands of a competitive and evolving job market.
Then, in mid-2023, Mohamed’s parents heard about a new opportunity: free technical training at the Banadir Training Institute (BTI), supported by the Renewable Energy Skills Training (REST) program funded by SIDA and Sweden in Somalia. Implemented by NIS Foundation Somalia through Public, Private, Development, Partnership (PPDP) project.
In October 2023, Mohamed joined the one-year training course at BTI, focusing on electrical installation and solar energy systems. The training was hands-on and intensive, blending classroom learning with apprenticeships at BECO Solar Systems, one of the leading energy companies in Mogadishu.
On the first day, I didn’t even know how to hold a wire cutter properly,” Mohamed quotes. “But slowly, I learned — how to wire a home, how to install a solar panel, how to test systems safely.”
The course also taught soft skills — communication, time management, teamwork — all essential for employment. “What made it different was the practical part,” he explains. “We weren’t just sitting and listening to theory. We were out in the field, installing real systems, working with real clients.”
Figure 2: Mohamed doing the solar installation in the field with the Tamarso team. Photo by: Hani Mohamed
In January 2025, Mohamed completed the training. Just two months later, he was offered a paid position with TAMARSO, a Mogadishu-based company providing solar home systems and commercial energy solutions. Today, he works as a solar technician, traveling across the city to install systems, troubleshoot issues, and help households and businesses access clean energy.
Figure 3: Mohamed setting the battery rack for the Solar system Photo by: Hani Mohamed
Mohamed’s story is just one of many made possible through the REST program — part of a broader initiative supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), aiming to bridge the gap between youth potential and labor market demand. Implemented through a public-private partnership, the program equips young Somalis with technical skills in renewable energy, creating pathways to employment in one of the fastest-growing sectors in the country.
For Mohamed, the training has not only provided a job — it has opened a future.
Four years of university didn’t get me a job. One year of technical training changed my life,” he reflects.