Women engineers shape Somalia’s future

Construction is transforming Mogadishu, Somalia, and at the heart of the city's revival are two young women reshaping both buildings and gender expectations.

Fathi Mohamed Abdi and Saadia Ahmed Omar, both 24, are managing a 10-storey apartment project in the capital’s Hodan District. Wearing hard hats and commanding all-male teams, the civil engineers have become symbols of resilience and progress, Caliber.Az reports via BBC.

“When I started, people doubted me,” says Ms Abdi, COO of Arkan Engineering Services. “They would ask, ‘How can we trust a house built by a woman?’”

Both women, who studied at Plasma University Mogadishu, have led over 30 multimillion-dollar projects despite Somalia’s ongoing challenges.

“Mogadishu needs us,” says Ms Omar. “When I was young, this city was in chaos. Now, we are part of its reconstruction.”

While over 6,000 buildings have risen in the past five years—fueled by diaspora investment and improved security—concerns persist. Only 5% of engineers are women, and regulations remain difficult to enforce amid the rapid pace of development.

Veteran architect Siidow Cabdulle Boolaay worries about structural safety and the loss of the city’s historic charm.

“The sand used in Mogadishu’s buildings is salty, which undermines its effectiveness,” he says.

Environmental adviser Christophe Hodder warns of long-term risks tied to unregulated borehole drilling and overpopulation.

Yet hope remains high. Ibrahim Abdi Heyle, head of the Somali Engineers Association, sees promise in the city’s transformation.

“Today we are reviving the engineering profession, which collapsed 30 years ago. That means there is hope.”

“We are not just building structures,” says Ms Omar. “We are building hope.”

Ms Abdi adds: “We are proving that women can not only design buildings but also lead projects and shape the city.”