From the Streets to a Thriving Stall: Hassan Abdi’s Watermelon Business Journey in Mogadishu

Under the scorching Mogadishu sun, watermelon is more than just a refreshing treat; it can be a good business. Hassan Abdi started his business slicing watermelons and walking the sunny streets of Mogadishu, selling pieces to motorists and passersby.

“It was tough,” he recalls. “I’d walk for hours, carrying my cooler. Some days I made sales, some days I went home with leftovers.” Although the business was promising, the long walks in the unforgiving sun made it difficult for Hassan to make any substantial breakthrough. It was time to change tactics.

“One evening after a day’s work,” Hassan says, “I was talking with a friend on possible ways I could get a loan to set up a stall so that I could no longer have to toil the whole day.” Hassan learnt from his friend that IBS Bank was offering loans for small scale traders like him.

“I didn’t have a business permit to prove my business existence, but I went along with two friends who knew me well and my hawking business.” With this form of surety, Hassan secured a $500 loan.

“That money changed everything,” Hassan says. “I put up a stall, bought more melons in bulk, and no longer had to walk around. People started coming to me.”

The stall, strategically located in a busy Mogadishu market, quickly became a go-to spot for both small traders and everyday buyers. With two additional loans from IBS Bank, Hassan expanded further. He now runs a sizeable operation and has hired his nephew to help with daily sales.

“I’m not just selling fruit anymore, I’m building something,” he says proudly. “I even plan to buy a juice maker to add value.”

Thanks to the steady income, Hassan can now support his family, pay his children’s school fees, and save for the future.
“Before, it was hand-to-mouth. Now, I sleep without worry,” he says.

His story is one of persistence, opportunity, and the power of small loans to unlock potential. As Hassan puts it, “I didn’t need a miracle. I just needed a little support, and I ran with it.”