Young Barber’s Dream Comes to Life in Mogadishu

Abdifitah Hassan, 28, had tried his hand at several menial jobs but found himself living hand-to-mouth, as the income could not enable him to improve his life. Friends had suggested to him that he move out of the country in the hope of a better life, but for Abdifitah, the thought of the dangerous journeys on land and the high seas, which had cost him a relative, made him shrug off the idea.

For Abdifitah, a teenage dream kept him convinced. He had considered starting a hair salon. “I was passionate about becoming a barber. I once tried and knew I could do it, but I did not have the income to start my own,” Hassan said.

It was not until Hassan saw a post on social media from IBS Bank, which offered a loan facility dubbed Ileys targeting youth entrepreneurs. The prospects of setting up his business, however small, were coming to life. “Finally, my dream has come true,” Hassan says, exuding confidence. Responding between shaves, Abdifitah said he secured a $1,500 loan from IBS Bank, which he used to buy basic equipment, rent space, and set it up.

IBS Bank is a partner MFI of the Financial Inclusion for Growth in Somalia (FIG-Somalia), which aims to expand financial access and inclusion to support economic development in Somalia.

At the barber shop, clients stream in at a time for a favourite cut. “Clients are very particular with the haircuts they want, so I have to be very creative,”

Abdifitah says as he is relieved by a new hire. “The business is good, and I am glad my dream has come true. I have managed to take my children to a good school and opened a vegetable business for my wife.” Abdifitah has since hired one person to assist him, a move he attributes to bettering business prospects and income.

For Abdifitah, financial stability was the big picture. He dreams of opening up new branches in parts of the city and even outside the capital, Mogadishu. Combining passion with a stable stream of income creates growth potential.

The FIG-Somalia programme seeks to revitalise and expand the local economy, focusing on livelihood enhancement, job creation, and broad-based inclusive growth for Somali women, youth, and producer groups. The programme, implemented by the Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF), has since created 12,240 jobs directly and impacted 53,220 individuals in Somalia.