BuildHub Somalia

  If you’ve ever tried to build anything in a remote part of Somalia whether it's a school, a borehole, or a simple shelter you already know that it's not as easy as grabbing a shovel and calling it a day. As someone who has seen projects in both urban and rural Somali regions, I can tell you that building in remote areas is a completely different world. The challenges are real, but so are the opportunities. In this post, I’ll walk you through some of the major engineering hurdles we face in these remote locations and share a few real-world tips that I’ve picked up along the way. Whether you're a young engineer, a diaspora investor, or just curious, I hope this gives you a clearer picture of what it takes to build outside the cities in Somalia. 1. Lack of Infrastructure: Roads, Electricity, and Water Let’s start with the obvious. Most remote areas in Somalia have poor or non-existent infrastructure. No paved roads, no stable electricity, and limited access to clean water. ...

Land in Somalia is more than just soil it’s identity, survival and power But for decades land ownership has been a major source of conflict rooted in deep historical wounds and fueled by modern-day challenges. As a civil engineer who grew up during the Somali civil war, I have witnessed firsthand how unresolved land disputes can erupt into violence and undermine efforts to build stable communities. In this post, we’ll explore the key causes behind Somalia’s land ownership conflict and offer some ideas on how we can start moving toward fair and lasting solutions. Colonialism Disrupted Traditional Land Systems Before colonization, Somali communities practiced communal land ownership, led and managed by traditional elders. These elders resolved disputes and made land use decisions based on customs and clan ties. However, when European powers mainly Italy and Britain colonized parts of Somalia in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, they redrew boundaries and took land from Somali ...