NOREAF, Norwegian East African Strategic Partners

NOREAF promotes integration and economic participation, and builds Norway–East Africa ties through trade, knowledge, investment, innovation, and cooperation.

[NOREAF, Norwegian East African Strategic Partners @Noreaf19]

Last week in Oslo, @Noreaf19 hosted an evening with the Governor of the Central bankof Somalia focused on Somalia’s economic development, financial reforms and recent debt relief process.

The discussion explored Somalia’s economic transformation in recent years, the rebuilding of financial institutions, and the challenges and opportunities facing the country going forward.

With contributions from Peter Henriksen Ringstad (@noradno ), Hamdi A. Mohamed and moderator Thea Sofie Rusten Grastvei.

Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to a thoughtful and engaging discussion.

Recordings will be shared soon.

@NorwayInSomalia @MOFASomalia

[NOREAF, Norwegian East African Strategic Partners @Noreaf19]

We extend our sincere gratitude to Oslo’s Mayor Anne Lindboe for inviting NOREAF to the Eid celebration at Oslo City Hall, held together with 400 guests from all walks of life.

It was a warm and memorable gathering — a beautiful way to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

Thank you to Oslo Municipality for organizing this event for the second consecutive year, and a special thank you to the Mayor for the kind invitation.

[NOREAF, Norwegian East African Strategic Partners @Noreaf19]

Last week @Noreaf19 hosted its annual Iftar gathering, bringing together young Norwegian-Somali leaders, student leaders, academics, policymakers and representatives from organisations and community initiatives.

We were pleased to welcome the Minister of Labour and Inclusion, @Kjerstistenseng , and the Minister of International Development, Åsmund Grøver Aukrus.
During the evening, the ministers shared the government’s initiatives and priorities related to inclusion, youth participation, and cooperation with Somali authorities.

Nearly 40 participants contributed to the discussions, sharing experiences and initiatives from their work in local communities. The conversations reflected the strong momentum and positive change currently taking place within the Norwegian-Somali community.

We thank the ministers and their teams for their participation and for the excellent coordination leading up to the event.
@NorwayInSomalia @NorwayAmbKenya @saidAlimaad

[NOREAF, Norwegian East African Strategic Partners @Noreaf19]

On Monday, 12 January 2026, NOREAF was pleased to meet with the leadership of the Department of Diaspora Affairs at Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs(@MOFASomalia) in Mogadishu, represented by our International Director Abdullahi M. Alason.

The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation with the Somali diaspora in the Nordic countries, identifying joint initiatives, and exploring opportunities related to diaspora engagement, social development, and economic and investment cooperation.

A key topic of discussion was how collaboration between Somali authorities and diaspora communities in the Nordic region can strengthen youth-focused initiatives, including internship opportunities and broader youth cooperation.

Sincere thanks to H.E. Dr. Ibrahim Guure, Director of the Department of Diaspora Affairs, for his hospitality and openness to cooperation, as well as to the department’s leadership team and Dr. Adam Hussein Hilowle, Deputy Ambassador at the Embassy of Somalia in Saudi Arabia.

[NOREAF, Norwegian East African Strategic Partners @Noreaf19]

Somalia’s President, @HassanSMohamud, has today received the Letters of Credence from Norway’s new Ambassador to Somalia, H.E. @NorwayAmbKenya

On behalf of the Somali diaspora in Norway, we extend our warm congratulations to the new Ambassador and wish her every success in her assignment. We hope that her tenure will contribute to further strengthening the bilateral relationship between Norway and Somalia.

We also express our sincere gratitude to former Ambassador H.E. Gunnar Andreas Holm for his cooperation, his engagement with the Somali diaspora community in Norway, and his consistent accessibility throughout his service. @NorwayInSomalia

[NOREAF, Norwegian East African Strategic Partners @Noreaf19]

Yesterday, Norway’s Special Envoy to Somalia, Einar Rystad, together with Narve Nub Kveseth, focal point on Somalia at the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, welcomed @DrBaadiyow Norway’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Oslo.

Dr. Baadiyow is a highly respected scholar, politician, and civil society leader with more than three decades of experience. He currently serves as Senior Adviser on Constitutional Affairs to the President of Somalia and has played a central role in shaping national dialogue, reconciliation, and governance reform.

His visit to Norway coincides with the launch of his new book, “Somalia: A State in Search of Exceptional Leadership.”

For NOREAF, it was a privilege to be part of such an insightful meeting — reflecting on Somalia’s history, political culture, and the reasoning behind key decisions that have shaped the nation’s political trajectory.

@NorwayInSomalia

[Dr. Abdurahman Baadiyow @DrBaadiyow]

I am honored to have met Norway’s Special Envoy to Somalia, Einar Rystad, and Narve Nub Kveseth, Somalia focal point at the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, together with Said Maad of NOREAF, at the Ministry in Oslo. I had the opportunity to present to them my new book, Somalia: A State in Search of Exceptional Leadership, and we also discussed the failure of the Western-developed state model in Somalia and the need for an alternative approach.

[NOREAF, Norwegian East African Strategic Partners @Noreaf19]

Earlier in August, NOREAF met with the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including Einar Rystad, (Norway’s Special Envoy to Somalia) , Narve Nub Kveseth, (focal point on Somalia), and Signe Gilen, (Norway’s Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security).

The meeting was part of our preparations for the international conference in August, and in connection with the Somali ministerial delegation visiting Norway.

We are grateful for the exchange with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and look forward to maintaining a close and open dialogue, appreciating their openness and engagement.

@NorwayMFA @NorwayInSomalia @saidAlimaad @AbdullahiAlason

[NOREAF, Norwegian East African Strategic Partners @Noreaf19]

On August 23, 2024, we had the honor of welcoming distinguished guests whose presence and insights made our international conference in Oslo truly historic.

We were privileged to be joined by:
•Naima Hassan H. Mohamoud, Chairperson of the Justice and Human Rights Committee in the Upper House of the Federal Parliament of Somalia.
•Falhada Dekow Iman, Member of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), former Senator in the Kenyan Parliament, and the first Somali woman to serve in EALA, representing a region of more than 343 million citizens.
•Ambassador Dr. Khadija Osoble Ali, Somalia’s Ambassador to the EU, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, who has also served as Minister of State, Member of Parliament, Electoral Commissioner, and Senior Adviser to Somalia’s leadership.

We extend our sincere gratitude to these inspiring leaders for their wisdom, vision, and commitment.

Their voices and contributions helped shape a day that will be remembered for many years to come — for Somalia, for East Africa, and for diaspora communities here in Norway. 🌍✨

#Leadership #SomaliWomen #NationBuilding #Inclusion #NOREAF

[NOREAF, Norwegian East African Strategic Partners @Noreaf19]

On August 22, @Noreaf19 had the honor of being part of the discussions in an important meeting between #Norway and #Somalia .

Norway’s State Secretary for Labour and Social Inclusion, Kjetil Vevle, welcomed Somalia’s Minister of Family and Human Rights Development, Khadija Mohamed Al-Makhzoumi.

The meeting addressed several key issues affecting both the Somali Norwegian diaspora and developments in Somalia. Representing both NOREAF and the voice of the Somali diaspora, our Senior Political Advisor @AbdullahiAlason took part in the meeting.

We look forward to constructive follow-up and to seeing solutions that can benefit both Norway, Somalia, and the diaspora communities.

@NorwayInSomalia @Arbeidsdep @NorwayInKenya

[NOREAF, Norwegian East African Strategic Partners @Noreaf19]

On Aug 23, we hosted our international conference “Somali Women as Pillars of Nation-Building” in Oslo with 300+ participants.

A special thanks to Mayor AnneLindboe and Minister Åsmund Grøver Aukrust for highlighting the vital role of Somali women in building inclusive societies. 🌍💪🏾

#SomaliWomen #Leadership #NationBuilding #Inclusion

@NorwayMFA @NorwayInSomalia

[NOREAF, Norwegian East African Strategic Partners @Noreaf19]

@Noreaf19 had the pleasure this week of meeting Mr. Geir Arne Schei, Minister Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission at the Norwegian Embassy to Kenya and Somalia(@NorwayInSomalia @NorwayInKenya ) , and Ms. Sahfana Ali Mubarak, Special Envoy for Integration.

The meeting was a valuable opportunity to introduce NOREAF’s work and purpose, and to exchange reflections on topics concerning Somali-Norwegians – both in Norway, Somalia, and the broader East Africa region – as well as developments in Somalia.

We truly appreciated the open and engaging conversation, and we look forward to ongoing dialogue.

#Somalia #Norway #Nairobi

[NOREAF, Norwegian East African Strategic Partners @Noreaf19]

@flyethiopian – Norway, in partnership with @SomaliNorwegian , hosted a Traditional Iftar Gathering yesterday for the Somali business community in Norway. The event gathered business owners, politicians, community leaders, and academics to connect, exchange ideas, and strengthen collaboration.

The purpose of the Iftar was to strengthen collaboration between Ethiopian Airlines and the Somali business community in Norway, to get to know one another, engage in open dialogue about existing services, and explore new ways to enhance this partnership. Discussions also focused on exploring future opportunities to expand cargo, import, and export activities for businesses through Ethiopian Airlines.

Ethiopian Airlines plays a vital role in linking the Somali diaspora in Europe with Somalia, offering daily flights to four destinations in the country.
A big thank you to all who attended, to Hakuna Matata for the delicious food, and not least for the strong and aromatic Ethiopian bunna, which brought a taste of Africa to a March evening in Oslo.

We also thank our partner, Ethiopian Airlines – Norway, for the collaboration.

#Somalia #Ethiopia #Norway #Africa #oslo

[NOREAF, Norwegian East African Strategic Partners @Noreaf19]

Somali Norwegian Strategic Partners extends its heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Mohamed Hussein (Dr. Gaas) on his appointment as the Director of the Department of Diaspora Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Somalia.

Dr. Gaas, a distinguished academic, author, and researcher, is a prominent member of the Norwegian-Somali diaspora. He has previously worked at various research institutions in Norway, the UK, and beyond. Most recently, he served as the Director and Founder of the Raad Peace Research Institute.

In addition, Dr. Gaas has been a valued contributor and participant in several of Somali Norwegian Strategic Partners’ conferences and panel discussions.

We extend our best wishes to Dr. Gaas and hope that his leadership will further strengthen the engagement of Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the Somali diaspora, particularly in the Nordic region.

#Somalia #Norway #Diaspora #Somali

[NOREAF, Norwegian East African Strategic Partners @Noreaf19]

Thank You for a Successful Dialogue Meeting!

Yesterday, 30 Somali organizations and resource persons participated in an important dialogue meeting with the Ministry of Labor and Inclusion, led by Minister Tonje Brenna, and organized by Somali Norwegian Strategic Partners (SNSP). The discussion focused on key issues affecting the Somali community, including education, employment, and strengthened collaboration between civil society and government institutions.

We sincerely thank all participating organizations for their valuable contributions, especially those who traveled long distances to attend. A special thanks to Minister Tonje Brenna, State Secretary Kjetil Vevle, and the ministry for their engagement and commitment.

We look forward to continuing this dialogue and strengthening our collaboration.

📸 See photos from the meeting below!

@NorwayInSomalia @Arbeidsdep @NorwayAmbKenya

[NOREAF, Norwegian East African Strategic Partners @Noreaf19]

Representatives from Somali Norwegian Strategic Partners had the opportunity to meet with the leadership of the Somali Chamber Of Commerce & Industry at their headquarter in Mogadishu.

SCCI serves as the umbrella organization for various businesses—large, medium, and small—across multiple sectors in Somalia, serving as a central point for the business community in the country.

During our meeting, we shared our plans and activities for 2025 with the SCCI leadership. This meeting opened a dialogue between SNSP and SCCI to establish a formal partnership, creating a collaborative platform for Somali-owned businesses in the Nordic countries and those in Somalia. We also discussed the possibility of sharing knowledge, data, and networks.

We thank the leadership of the Somali Chamber of Commerce and Industry, especially President Mahamud Abdi Ali (Gabeyre) and Director Abdi Abshir Dorre, for their time and warm welcome.

[NOREAF, Norwegian East African Strategic Partners @Noreaf19]

Somali Norwegian Strategic Partners participated today in the fourth annual Somali Diaspora Conference, organized by the Somali Ministry of Foreign Affairs and held in Mogadishu.

Our CEso @saidAlimaad led a panel discussion on how the Somali diaspora can play a more active role in rebuilding the country economically and financially. He also delivered a speech emphasizing the importance of recognizing the second generation of Somalis born and raised outside of Somalia, who will soon represent the majority of the Somali diaspora worldwide.

Furthermore, this marked the second diaspora conference that SNSP has participated in this year, following our attendance at the Global Somali Diaspora Conference held in Doha, Qatar, in July.

We would like to express our gratitude to the Somali Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the invitation and the continued collaboration.

@MOFASomalia @JibrilAfyare @NorwayInSomalia

[NOREAF, Norwegian East African Strategic Partners @Noreaf19]

Meeting with the Prime Minister of Somalia and Official Invitation to Our Upcoming Somali Nordic Investment Forum

We at the Somali Norwegian Strategic Partners (SNSP), represented by Chief Executive Officer @saidAlimaad and Cultural Ambassador Ali Osman Egah, recently had the honor of meeting with Prime Minister @HamzaAbdiBarre at his office in the Presidential Palace in Mogadishu (@SomaliPM)

During this significant meeting, we shared insights regarding the situation of the Somali diaspora in the Nordic countries, addressing the challenges the Somali diaspora in the Nordic faces, as well as many of the positive aspects. We particularly emphasized the significant contributions that the Somali diaspora in the Nordic, especially Somali youth with higher education, make in fostering innovation and driving positive change within our communities.

The Prime Minister provided valuable insights into his government’s priorities for the year 2025, emphasizing the importance of political stabilization, economic reforms, security improvements, and community development programs. He also highlighted the need to support the Somali diaspora abroad and encouraged the Somali diaspora in the Nordic to contribute actively to the country’s rebuilding efforts and investments in critical infrastructure.

In conclusion, we formally invited the Prime Minister to be our honored guest at the upcoming Somali Nordic Investment Forum, which we intend to organize in collaboration with our esteemed partners. We look forward to providing more information about this important event in the near future.

[NOREAF, Norwegian East African Strategic Partners @Noreaf19]

Debt Relief and Economic Opportunities for Somalia:

At the beginning of 2024, Somalia received debt relief through the HIPC process, reducing the country’s outstanding foreign debt from over 100% in 2017 to less than 10% in 2024. This opens significant opportunities for the country’s economy, which has been absent from global financial markets for the past 30 years due to a lack of financial structures (which are now being put in place) and a lack of access to financing and capital allocation.
During a panel discussion held in February of this year for Norwegian academics, students, the Somali diaspora in Norway, and other Somalia enthusiasts, Said Mahamud Ali(@saidAlimaad ), the Executive Director of SNSP, was asked about what the debt relief means for Somalia's economy and what opportunities and challenges we can anticipate in the coming years.

Note: This panel discussion was organized by Somali Norwegian Strategic Partners( SNSP) in collaboration with the @slettgjelda We will be posting the entire panel discussion soon.

The other participants in the discussion are: Sofie Rusten Grastveit, Stig Jarle Hansen, Erling Hess Johnsen Kjetil Abildsnes