🇸🇴 A New Chapter of Trade & Culture: Celebrating Somalia Day

Somalia Day Celebrates Resilience, Innovation & Regional Integration at the 25th EAC MSMEs Trade Fair

Somalia Day radiated pride and momentum as the newest Partner State took its place in the spotlight, turning the Trade Fair arena into a vibrant celebration of Somali identity, creativity, and entrepreneurial strength. A senior delegation from Mogadishu officiated the ceremony, signaling Somalia’s determination to fully participate in the advancement of regional trade, investment, and MSME-led development within the East African Community.

The atmosphere surged with cultural grandeur as dhaanto dancers and musicians delivered captivating performances marked by synchronized movement, poetic chant and colourful traditional attire. The showcase brought the audience to its feet — a powerful expression of national unity, heritage and optimism for the future.

Trade, Technology, Maritime Commerce & the Spirit of Enterprise

The Somali pavilion quickly became a center of interest, buzzing with activity from business leaders, buyers and visitors across the region. Agro-export companies displayed impressive product lines including premium frankincense and myrrh, pure sesame oil, high-quality livestock products, and nutritional dates sourced from Somali farms — earning strong commercial inquiries and distribution prospects.

Industry exhibitors demonstrated a new wave of modernization and entrepreneurship. Digital payments innovators introduced secure solutions tailored for cross-border commerce, while tech start-ups showcased logistics platforms supporting maritime trade and regional freight connectivity — reflective of Somalia’s strategic economic strengths along the Indian Ocean coast.

The creative and lifestyle sector also made a bold impression. Textiles, handcrafted home décor, intricate jewellery, fine leather goods and culturally inspired fashion accessories presented a fusion of heritage and contemporary design. The business model behind these products highlighted the growing commercial capacity of Somali MSMEs — particularly enterprises led by women and youth working together to reach regional marketplaces.

Throughout the day, conversations centered on unlocking wider regional access for Somali businesses — from improving port-to-inland trade corridors and modernizing customs processes to increasing access to affordable capital and business development services for fast-growing MSMEs across the country.

Charting the Road Ahead

In their closing reflections, Somalia’s delegation emphasized the country’s dedication to playing a constructive and dynamic role in the Community — advocating for smoother market entry processes, shared industrial growth opportunities, and a trade environment that enables young and emerging enterprises to compete and prosper across East Africa.

Somalia Day concluded with a strong message of partnership and progress: a vision of an EAC that moves forward together — where entrepreneurship is a bridge between nations, and shared prosperity becomes the legacy of regional unity.