Global Entrepreneurship Week is a celebration of the innovators and job creators, who launch start-ups that bring ideas to life, drive economic growth and expand human welfare. During one week each November, GEW inspires people everywhere through local, national and global activities designed to help them explore their potential as self-starters and innovators. These activities, from large-scale competitions and events to intimate networking gatherings, connect participants to potential collaborators, mentors, and even investors—introducing them to new possibilities and exciting opportunities. Millions who had never before considered launching their ventures soak up advice and inspiration from the likes of Richard Branson, Michael Dell and Muhammad Yunus.
On November 22nd, 2017, Salaam Development Centre (SDC) in partnership with Shaqodoon held the Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) event at one of Puntland State University’s Workshop Halls. It was attended by the Minister of Labour, Youth and Sport (Abdirahman Sheikh Ahmed), Vice-Minister of Education (Dr Mohamed Ali Farah), Chairman of Puntland State Actors (PUNSA), Members from the business community, entrepreneurs, youth, Local and International NGOs and other stakeholders that deal directly or indirectly with youth issues.
Event Objectives
- TO INSPIRE
- Introduce the notion of entrepreneurial behavior to as many people who otherwise might not have considered it as a path in their life.
- TO CONNECT
- Network people national wide to find new ideas at the intersection of cultures entrepreneurship & creativity
- TO MENTOR
- Enlist active and inspirational innovators Garowe to coach and mentor the next generation as they pursue their entrepreneurial dreams.
- TO ENGAGE
- Demonstrate to opinion leaders and policymakers that entrepreneurship is central to a nation’s economic health and culture and to provide opportunity to learn from each other on entrepreneurial policy and practice.
The Minister of Labour, Youth and Sport’s quote in commemoration of the GEW Event
“Supporting youth in engaging with entrepreneurship activities increase the wealth of the nation” was the primary quoate that emerged from the event.
SPEECHES
The function began on a solemn note, with a recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by a prayer form sheik. It was followed with an introduction and welcoming note from Mohammed Khalif, Shaqodoon Puntland Coordinator who welcomed all the participants and went ahead to explain the importance of celebrating the GEW and outlined the work of Shaqodoon organization. He also highlighted the importance of the event and summarized the expected outcome of the occasion. He said, “youth in Puntland have huge and potential talent to initiate and start a successful business, but they lack guidance, support, and opportunities.” He continued by saying that “it is the role of the government, business community and other stakeholders to see that these youth are supported and guided in one way or the other.”
The second person to get to the podium was Mohammed Aden Jama, the executive director of Somalia Development Centre (SDC), who encouraged the youth to initiate start-up businesses and other entrepreneurship ideas and keep in mind that they will always get assistance and support from various players and well wishers. He also encouraged the youth not to choose jobs only but think of staring their own business. He gave an example of jobs like Electrical wiring, cleaning, and maintenance/repairing in which the Puntland locals consider as menial jobs but people from outside Puntland have taken advantage of and making a living out of it. He gave an example of a person who works as an electrician making $30 in one task in a day, and he may be called for three jobs making a total of $90 a day. He reminded that even most white-color jobs in prominent organizations don’t pay that much in a day.
Faizel Ahmed Warsame, chairman of Puntland Non-State Actors (PUNSA), who read a speech, narrated various examples of known successful business people in the region including him. As a motivation, he recounted on how they started their business from low level until they became millionaires. He also highlighted the necessary steps in business registration and how to go about it. He underlined how it is essential for the youth to have multiple ideas for starting a new business.
The next person to take to the podium was Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Education, Dr. Mohammed Ali Farah. The Minister said that “Puntland has agreed to abide by the international law that requires necessary education to be free, and as the government, they have started putting in place all the needed steps and measures that will ensure the programme rolls out as soon as possible.” He also highlighted that the Ministry of Education has started plans to effect changes in the current curriculum. The practical aspect of the education will be given more emphasis and priority, unlike now where the current curriculum is theory based. He also urged the universities in Puntland to train students on skills that are relevant and in demand, so that youth can easily secure jobs as soon as possible after graduating. He said that “vocational skills training is the global trend at the moment and need to be implemented in Puntland too because it is an area that contributes immensely to the growth and development of any country.” He said “as Ministry, they have plans to build new vocational training centers across Puntland and also renovate and equip the existing ones.
The Ministers speech was followed by a poem recited by a poet called Jama. He recited a poem that encouraged the youth to work hard and be successful in life; through the verses he also urged the youth to dream big in their aspirations and ambitions and reminded them that opportunities are unlimited.
PDRC representative was next to present the outcome of research on youth unemployment and opportunities available. He gave highlights on the study they conducted on youth entrepreneurial challenges and obstacles in Puntland and gave a very comprehensive and detailed presentation. PDRC also provided suggestions and recommendations to the government and civil society on how to fix the issues raised.
One of the youth entrepreneur’s who was trained by SDC & Shaqodoon talked about the support she received while she was looking for investment to start her businesses. She talked about the challenges and obstacles she had to cross to ask for $5000 investment from Dahabshil Bank.
A representative from Puntland Banks Association (PBA) informed the youth on the available credit at the banks and the investment opportunities. The Representative explained the application procedure and how to apply them. She encouraged the youth to visit various banks and get full information on how they can be assisted to realize their dreams through entrepreneurship.
On the investor’s behalf, their representative who talked briefly assured the youths on internship opportunities and jobs when they graduate. She said, “In every vacancy that will come up, youth will be given priority.”
Lastly, The Minister of labor and youth services (MOLYS) Mr. Abdurrahman Sheik Ahmed was the last person to address the meeting. He said “The Mandate of Puntland Government is to make legal and policy framework that facilitates investors to invest and play a part in the growth of the economy of the country.” He affirmed that it is important to support youth in business entrepreneurship through facilitation and training. The Minister Continued to say that ” Since Puntland youth are 70% of the population, they need every support in starting businesses and securing jobs to prevent them from immigration and committing other crime”. He also urged the entrepreneurs to patent their ideas, and even asked those who are mandated with the task of being in charge of sensitive information, not to give other people ideas to competitors.
Conclusion
The event was a success; all participants had a great time contributing their ideas across. It was well planned and attended; various participants who provided feedback after the event was amazed on how remarkable the event was planned, coordinated and conducted.
As a vote of thanks, (MOLYS) representative Mr. Abdirahman Sheik Ahmed asked the relevant stakeholders to facilitate a forum on a quarterly basis that will enable the youth to share their business ideas.