GSEF-Forum

East African business & investment platform connecting entrepreneurs, investors, business leaders, development partners & diaspora capital.

GSEF 2026 | NBO

[GSEF-Forum @GSEFForum]

#GSEF2025 Highlights!

Celebrating the connections, conversations, partnerships and opportunities that brought our community together.

As we look ahead to GSEF 2026, we're building an even bigger platform for entrepreneurs, investors and business leaders.

📍Radisson Blu, Upper Hill, Nairobi, Kenya

📅24-25 October 2026

#GSEF2026 #SomaliEntrepreneurs #Investment #Innovation #EastAfrica #Networking

[GSEF-Forum @GSEFForum]

Shaping a borderless East Africa for business, trade and investment.

We are honoured to welcome Ahmed Farah, Executive Director of the @EABCjumuiya as a Keynote Speaker at #GSEF2026.

@AhmedFarah__ is a distinguished trade and investment policy expert with over two decades of leadership experience across East Africa and other African markets. Prior to joining EABC, he served as Country Director for Kenya at TradeMark Africa (TMA), where he led large, multi-year programmes focused on trade facilitation, corridor performance, customs modernisation and private sector competitiveness.

He previously served as Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) and held senior advisory and leadership roles at Deloitte East Africa and PwC.

Throughout his career, he has built extensive expertise in regional integration, public–private dialogue, donor relations and resource mobilisation, working to translate regional and continental trade commitments — including the East African Community (EAC) integration agenda and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) — into practical reforms that reduce trade costs, ease cross-border procedures and improve market access for businesses.

As Executive Director of EABC, Mr. Farah leads the organisation’s institutional strengthening and results-oriented delivery, strengthening engagement with members and National Focal Points and advancing collaboration with the EAC Secretariat, Organs and Institutions.

He also spearheads high-level advocacy towards EABC’s vision of a borderless East Africa for business and investment that delivers socio-economic prosperity.

Register to attend GSEF 2026. Early Bird registration is now open

Secure your spot: https://t.co/wWw55XuXjG

#GSEF2026 #Somalia #Governance #RegionalIntegration #eastafrica #AITechnology #eabc

[GSEF-Forum @GSEFForum]

Expanding access to finance and unlocking opportunities for Somalia’s businesses.

We are pleased to welcome Mohamed to #GSEF2026, a seasoned finance and development professional whose work sits at the intersection of MSME finance, institution building and economic transformation in Somalia.

Mohamed is a finance and development professional with extensive experience across the public and private sectors, focused on expanding access to finance and strengthening financial institutions in Somalia.

He is a founding executive of @gargaara_ Finance Limited, Somalia’s apex MSME financing institution, where he has served as Chief Financial Officer and Acting CEO.

He has played a key role in building the institution from its early stages and expanding financing to MSMEs and productive sectors through banks and microfinance institutions across Somalia.

Previously, Mohamed served as an Economic and Financial Policy Advisor in Somalia’s Office of the Prime Minister and has held leadership roles in finance and audit.

Mohamed also writes and speaks on investment, banking, entrepreneurship, institution building and Africa’s economic transformation. He has a particular interest in mobilizing capital, strengthening financial institutions and building scalable enterprises that create jobs and sustainable economic value.

Register to attend GSEF 2026. Early Bird registration is now open

Secure your spot: https://t.co/wWw55XuXjG

#GSEF2026 #Somalia #Governance #RegionalIntegration #eastafrica #AITechnology

[GSEF-Forum @GSEFForum]

PANELIST ANNOUNCEMENT | GSEF 2026

We are honoured to welcome Hodan Osman as a distinguished panelist at GSEF 2026. A seasoned finance and development leader, Hodan brings over two decades of experience spanning banking, development finance, public financial management and private-sector growth, with a strong focus on expanding access to finance and mobilizing investment in emerging and fragile economies.

Hodan Osman is the President of the @SomaliDRB , where she leads efforts to expand inclusive finance and catalyze private-sector growth in Somalia. With over 20 years of experience in commercial banking, public financial management and development policy, she brings deep expertise in building financial systems, particularly in emerging economies.

She played a pivotal role in restoring Somalia’s central banking functions and advancing the country’s debt relief process under the HIPC Initiative. Hodan has advised the Central Bank of Somalia, the Ministry of Finance and international partners—including the World Bank, United Nations and European Union—on fiscal reform, economic planning and private-sector financing.

A practitioner of adaptive leadership, she has taught and advised globally through institutions including Harvard, Cambridge and the Global Fund. Her work in fintech across Africa has focused on expanding access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises.

She has also advised the UN Joint SDG Fund and convened leading development finance institutions, including through a roundtable with European DFIs on investing in fragile states.

We look forward to the wealth of experience and insights she will bring to the GSEF 2026 stage.

Register to attend GSEF 2026. Early Bird registration is now open 👇

Secure your spot: https://t.co/wWw55XuXjG

#GSEF2026 #Somalia #Governance #RegionalIntegration #eastafrica #AITechnology

#SDRB

[GSEF-Forum @GSEFForum]

Meet Our Guest, Hon. Abdullahi Sajo

Aviation Entrepreneur | Business Leader | Wajir North Parliamentary Aspirant, 2027

Hon. Abdullahi Sajo is an aviation entrepreneur and business leader with extensive experience in aviation operations, corporate management and entrepreneurship.

He served for 18 years in the Kenya Air Force before transitioning into the aviation industry, where he held senior management roles, including Operations Manager at Bluebird Aviation and founding Chief Executive Officer of Jetways Airlines.

He later founded New World Aviation, based in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, specialising in aircraft leasing and rental services. His experience in aviation and international business has given him practical exposure to investment, enterprise development and regional connectivity.

As a Wajir North Parliamentary Aspirant for 2027, he seeks to bring his experience in business, management and public service to the development of Wajir North and the wider region.

At GSEF 2026, he brings valuable perspectives on private-sector development, investment, regional connectivity and economic opportunities in Northern Kenya and East Africa.

📅 Dates: 24–25 October 2026
📍 Venue: Radisson Blu Hotel-Nairobi, Kenya🎟️

Register here: 👇
https://t.co/wWw55XuXjG

#GSEF2026 #Somalia #Governance #RegionalIntegration #EastAfrica

[GSEF-Forum @GSEFForum]

SPEAKER ANNOUNCEMENT | GSEF 2026

We are delighted to welcome Hon. Said Isse Mohamed as a distinguished speaker at GSEF 2026. With extensive experience spanning regional integration, diplomacy, governance and development, he brings a valuable perspective to the conversations shaping Somalia’s integration into the East African Community and the region’s shared future.

Hon. Said Isse Mohamed is a career diplomat and governance strategist with deep experience in international relations, governance reform and multilateral diplomacy across Africa and global institutions.

He currently serves as Deputy Director for Social Integration, East African Community Directorate, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Somalia, where he contributes to advancing Somalia’s regional diplomacy and social integration, as well as policy frameworks supporting the free movement of people, trade integration and political cooperation among EAC Partner States.

Prior to his work on East African integration, Said served as Political Advisor at the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Somalia in Türkiye, contributing to Somalia–Türkiye relations.

We look forward to welcoming Hon. Said Isse Mohamed to the GSEF 2026 stage.

📅 Dates: 24–25 October 2026
📍 Venue: Radisson Blu Hotel-Nairobi, Kenya🎟️

Register here: 👇
https://t.co/wWw55XuXjG

#GSEF2026 #Somalia #Governance #RegionalIntegration #EastAfrica

[GSEF-Forum @GSEFForum]

PANELIST ANNOUNCEMENT | GSEF 2026

We are pleased to welcome Liban Obsiye as a distinguished panelist at GSEF 2026.
With extensive experience in climate finance, economic policy and regional cooperation, Liban brings valuable insights into mobilising finance for sustainable development and strengthening economic cooperation across the Horn of Africa.

Liban Obsiye is the Executive Director of the National Climate Fund. He also leads the regional Horn of Africa Initiative Secretariat under the current Somali Chairmanship.

Prior to this, he headed the Strategic Economic Unit at Somalia’s Ministry of Finance, where he contributed to the country’s successful debt relief programme over a period of more than eight years.

We look forward to his insights on the GSEF 2026 stage!📅 Dates: 24–25 October 2026
📍 Venue: Radisson Blu Hotel-Nairobi, Kenya🎟️

Register here: 👇
https://t.co/wWw55XuXjG

#GSEF2026 #Somalia #Governance #RegionalIntegration #EastAfrica

[GSEF-Forum @GSEFForum]

SPEAKER ANNOUNCEMENT | GSEF 2026

We are honoured to welcome Dr. Ahmednur as a distinguished speaker at GSEF 2026. A seasoned governance and policy expert with more than 25 years of experience, he brings deep expertise in public-sector reform, federalism, institutional development and post-conflict recovery.

Dr. Ahmednur is the Chief Policy Advisor and former Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Somalia. He is an expert in governance, strategic planning, policy development and institutional capacity building.

He established Somalia’s first Directors General Forum and has led the Federal Negotiation Technical Committee (FNTC), bringing together representatives from the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and Federal Member States (FMS) to support negotiations on key federalism matters. He later led the State Formation Committee for the Northwest Somalia State.

With over 25 years of experience across post-conflict countries in Africa and Asia, Dr. Ahmednur has worked extensively in policy development, government capacity building, humanitarian response, recovery and development. He has also held senior leadership roles in international NGOs and United Nations programmes for more than 17 years.

We look forward to welcoming Dr. Ahmednur to the GSEF 2026 stage

📅 Dates: 24–25 October 2026
📍 Venue: Radisson Blu Hotel-Nairobi, Kenya🎟️

Register here: 👇
https://t.co/wWw55XuXjG

#GSEF2026 #Somalia #Governance #RegionalIntegration #EastAfrica

[GSEF-Forum @GSEFForum]

SPEAKER ANNOUNCEMENT | GSEF 2026

We are delighted to welcome Mohamed Abdi, Country Director for the @NRC_Norway Kenya and Somalia Programme, as a distinguished speaker at GSEF 2026.

With extensive humanitarian and development experience, Mohamed brings valuable perspectives on resilience, livelihoods and sustainable development across Kenya and Somalia. We look forward to his insights on the GSEF stage.

📅 Dates: 24–25 October 2026
📍 Venue: Radisson Blu Hotel-Nairobi, Kenya🎟️

Register here: 👇
https://t.co/wWw55XuXjG

#GSEF2026 #Somalia #Governance #RegionalIntegration #EastAfrica

[GSEF-Forum @GSEFForum]

GUEST ANNOUNCEMENT | GSEF 2026

We are pleased to welcome @AbdihakimAinte , Board member of iRise Hub, as a distinguished guest at GSEF 2026.

His participation brings valuable perspectives on governance, policy and Somalia’s development agenda as we advance conversations on inclusive growth and regional integration.

📅 Dates: 24–25 October 2026
📍 Venue: Radisson Blu Hotel-Nairobi, Kenya🎟️

Register here: 👇
https://t.co/wWw55XuXjG

Welcome to GSEF 2026, Abdihakim!
#GSEF2026 #Somalia #Governance #RegionalIntegration #EastAfrica

[GSEF-Forum @GSEFForum]

GUEST ANNOUNCEMENT | GSEF 2026

We are delighted to welcome @Ayan Harare, National Climate Finance Unit Coordinator at Somalia’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, as a guest at GSEF 2026.

Ayan brings valuable expertise at the intersection of climate finance, policy and sustainable development, strengthening an important conversation on mobilising investment for a greener and more resilient Somalia.

📅 Dates: 24–25 October 2026
📍 Venue: Radisson Blu Hotel-Nairobi, Kenya🎟️

Register here: 👇
https://t.co/wWw55XuXjG

Welcome to GSEF 2026, Ayan!
#GSEF2026 #ClimateFinance #Somalia #sustainableinvestment

[GSEF-Forum @GSEFForum]

GSEF 2026: More than an event. It’s an ecosystem.

🌍Watch this brief update from our Co-Founder and Director of Communications, @AAbdinoorMaalim on what we are building for the landmark forum in Nairobi.

Join over 500+ regional business leaders, diaspora investors, and corporate partners to unlock cross-border trade across East Africa.

📅 Dates: 24–25 October 2026
📍 Venue: Nairobi, Kenya🎟️

Register here:👇
https://t.co/wWw55XuXjG

#GSEF2026 #EastAfricaBusiness #Networking

[GSEF-Forum @GSEFForum]

Championing youth leadership, inclusion and a new generation of changemakers.

We are pleased to welcome @Neema Sheikh Abdikadir to #GSEF2026, a dynamic Kenyan youth leader and advocate for inclusive and transformative leadership.

Neema Sheikh Abdikadir is a distinguished Kenyan youth leader and advocate for inclusive, transformative leadership. Since 2024, she has served as Vice Chairperson of the Commonwealth Youth Council for Inclusion & Engagement, amplifying the voices of over 1.5 billion young people across the Commonwealth’s 56 member states.

A trailblazer in student leadership, Neema made history as the first female President of the Kenya University Students Organisation (KUSO) and previously served as Vice President of the East African Students Union (EASU).

Passionate about good governance, youth empowerment, inclusion and socio-economic development, Neema continues to champion meaningful youth participation and expand opportunities for women, young people and marginalised communities.

She also serves as Co-Chair of the Commonwealth Youth Forum at CHOGM, contributing to efforts to ensure young people have a meaningful voice in shaping the Commonwealth’s priorities and future.

Register to attend GSEF 2026. Early Bird registration is now open👇

🎟️ Secure your spot: https://t.co/wWw55XuXjG

[GSEF-Forum @GSEFForum]

Where entrepreneurship, AI and global opportunity meet.

We are excited to welcome Fadumo Ali to #GSEF2026 — an award-winning entrepreneur and founder who is harnessing AI and automation to build smarter businesses while creating new connections between Asia and East Africa.

Fadumo Ali is an award-winning entrepreneur and founder, widely known for building and scaling successful businesses.

Today, she is building AerWork, an AI and automation company designed to help businesses work smarter, automate operations, and scale more efficiently.

Beyond technology and entrepreneurship, Fadumo is passionate about building business bridges between Asia and East Africa. She connects companies, entrepreneurs, investors, and opportunities across these fast-growing markets.

Her mission is to combine AI, automation, entrepreneurship, and global networks to create new business opportunities, strengthen collaboration between Asia and East Africa, and build scalable businesses with meaningful impact.

Register to attend GSEF 2026. Early Bird registration is now open!

🎟️ Secure your spot: https://t.co/wWw55XuXjG

[GSEF-Forum @GSEFForum]

We are pleased to announce @JamilaMohamed, Managing Editor at Citizen TV, as one of the guests at the Global Somali Entrepreneurship Forum (GSEF) 2025, happening on
24-Oct at Radisson Blu Hotel, Nairobi.

Her expertise and professionalism will bring depth and clarity to our high-level discussions.

👉Register to attend GSEF 2026. Early Bird registration is now open!

🎟️ Secure your spot: https://t.co/wWw55XuXjG

[GSEF-Forum @GSEFForum]

CALL FOR STARTUPS & BUSINESSES | GSEF 2026

Are you building a business with the potential to grow, scale and make an impact?

GSEF 2026 is inviting selected startups, SMEs and entrepreneurs to take part in our Startup & Business Spotlight on Day 2 of the Forum.

This is an opportunity to present your business, product or solution to an audience of investors, financial institutions, business leaders, development partners and potential strategic partners from Somalia, East Africa and the diaspora.

Selected businesses will have the opportunity to:

🎤 Showcase their business or solution at GSEF 2026

🤝 Connect with potential investors and business partners

💼 Participate in B2B & Investor Matchmaking

🌍 Gain visibility among regional and diaspora networks

🚀 Explore opportunities for investment, partnerships and market expansion

We are particularly interested in innovative, investment-ready and high-potential businesses with clear ambitions for growth and impact.

📅 25 October 2026 – Day 2 of GSEF 2026

📍 Nairobi, Kenya

Interested in being featured?

📩 Submit your expression of interest to [email protected] with a short introduction to your business, what you do, and the opportunity you are seeking.

Limited spotlight opportunities are available.

Selected businesses will be contacted by the GSEF team.

Register to attend GSEF 2026. Early Bird registration is now open!

🎟️ Secure your spot: https://t.co/wWw55XuXjG

#GSEF2026 #StartupSpotlight #Entrepreneurship #Investment #SomaliEntrepreneurs #Startups #SMEs #EastAfrica #DiasporaInvestment

[GSEF-Forum @GSEFForum]

📢 PARTNERSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT | GSEF 2026

We are pleased to welcome @PNTVAfrica as a Media Partner for GSEF 2026! 🎥🌍

Through this collaboration, PNTV Africa will support the visibility and storytelling around GSEF 2026, helping amplify the conversations, ideas and voices shaping entrepreneurship, innovation and investment across Somalia and East Africa.

We look forward to working together to bring the GSEF story to wider audiences.

Welcome aboard, PNTV Africa! 🤝

📅 24–25 October 2026
📍 Radisson Blu Hotel, Upper Hill, Nairobi

Register to attend GSEF 2026. Early Bird registration is now open!

🎟️ Secure your spot:

https://t.co/wWw55XuXjG

#GSEF2026 #PNTVAfrica #MediaPartner #Somalia #EastAfrica

[GSEF-Forum @GSEFForum]

We are honoured to welcome Dr. @HassanAHosow to GSEF 2026 as one of our distinguished guest speakers. A leading economist and policy advisor, Dr. Hosow brings extensive experience in economic policy, public-sector leadership, finance, and development.

Dr. Hassan Hosow is Chairman of Somalia’s National Economic Council and Chief Economic Advisor to H.E. Dr. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of Somalia. He is an accomplished economist with extensive experience in economic policy, public-sector management, energy, finance, and regulatory affairs.

Previously, he served as Senior Economic Advisor to the UN DSRSG/RC/HC and held senior economic and energy policy positions with the Government of Alberta, Canada, including the Ministries of Energy and Municipal Affairs. He is a recipient of the Golden Pinnacle Award for public-sector leadership.

Dr. Hosow holds a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) from the University of Alberta, Canada; an MBA from William Woods University, USA; and an MSc and PhD from the University of Illinois, USA.

📅 24–25 October 2026
📍 Radisson Blu Hotel, Upper Hill, Nairobi

👉Register to attend GSEF 2026. Early Bird registration is now open.

🎟️ Secure your spot: https://t.co/wWw55XuXjG

[GSEF-Forum @GSEFForum]

Your Bridge to East Africa’s
Newest Economic Frontier

Somalia’s entry into the East African Community (EAC) has opened a new chapter for trade, investment and regional expansion.

For diaspora investors, entrepreneurs and business leaders, this is an opportunity to connect capital with emerging markets and build partnerships across East Africa.

Diaspora Capital. Entrepreneurship. Sustainable Investment.

Watch this special briefing on the Diaspora Investment Dialogue at GSEF 2026 and discover the investment opportunities, expanding trade corridors and partnerships shaping Somalia’s integration into the wider East African market.

📅 24–25 October 2026
📍 Radisson Blu Hotel, Upper Hill, Nairobi
👉Register to attend GSEF 2026. Early Bird registration is now open!

🎟️ Secure your spot: https://t.co/wWw55XuXjG
#GSEF2026 #DiasporaInvestment #Somalia #EastAfrica #EAC #Entrepreneurship #Investment

[Balqiis Insights @BalqiisInsights]

We are pleased to share that our Regional Security Analyst, @SeraGaid, will moderate a session at the @GSEFForum (GSEF2026) in Nairobi.

The forum will bring together leaders, entrepreneurs and stakeholders from across the region on 24–25 October 2026 to discuss innovation, inclusive governance, regional integration and sustainable investment and their role in shaping the future of East Africa.

Register to attend: https://t.co/8NuAvCY0XT

#BalqiisInsights #GSEF2026 #Somalia #EastAfrica