Somalia, Saudi Arabia deepen labour cooperation for jobs and development

Somalia's Minister of Labour held a bilateral meeting with Saudi Arabia's Deputy Minister to deepen collaboration on social development and employment generation.
The discussion focused on implementing a memorandum of understanding to streamline legal migration and overseas job opportunities for Somali workers.
Both sides committed to safe and structured employment pathways, aiming to address youth unemployment and build a skilled workforce.

The meeting took place in Riyadh during Minister Yusuf’s official working visit to the Kingdom.

The purpose of the meeting was to deepen collaboration between the two nations in areas of social development, workforce mobility, and employment generation.

DON'T MISS THIS: Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote has agreed to work with the World Bank

It forms part of broader efforts by the Somali government to secure overseas job placements and foster partnerships that support national development goals.

Accelerating labour agreements to create overseas jobs

Central to the discussion was the swift implementation of a recent memorandum of understanding signed between Somalia and Saudi Arabia, which aims to streamline legal migration and overseas employment opportunities for Somali workers.

Both ministers agreed to expedite the operationalisation of the agreement, with a focus on safe, structured, and dignified employment pathways that would benefit thousands of Somali jobseekers. The move is expected to address youth unemployment and contribute to skills development by linking Somali workers to formal job markets abroad.

“We are fully committed to ensuring our youth and skilled workers can access legal and productive employment opportunities outside Somalia,” said Minister Yusuf. “This agreement with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a significant step forward in tackling unemployment and creating livelihood opportunities for our citizens.”

Somalia’s vision for a productive labour market

Minister Yusuf highlighted that Somalia’s Labour Ministry is pursuing a long-term strategy focused on employment creation, capacity building, and economic inclusion through international cooperation. He emphasised that bilateral labour partnerships are central to achieving Somalia’s development and social protection objectives.

“Forging strategic labour partnerships is not just about sending workers abroad; it is about building a future-ready workforce and contributing to our national growth,” he noted. “We are investing in human capital and aligning with trusted global partners to build a resilient labour system that delivers for all Somalis.”

Saudi Arabia reaffirms support for Somali labour mobility

For his part, Dr Abdullah bin Nasser Abuthnain welcomed the renewed engagement and affirmed Saudi Arabia’s readiness to work closely with Somalia to implement the labour agreement effectively. He expressed the Kingdom’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote orderly labour migration, safeguard worker rights, and improve social development outcomes.

The Deputy Minister stressed the importance of fostering cooperation in workforce development, skills matching, and labour market access, noting that such efforts would be mutually beneficial for both countries.

A Step towards broader socioeconomic growth

The engagement marks a positive milestone in Somalia’s efforts to build regional and international alliances in support of employment, migration governance, and sustainable development. The Labour Ministry is expected to continue engaging other countries in similar discussions as part of its broader mandate to empower the Somali workforce.

DON'T MISS THIS: Visa-free travel now possible between Ghana, Algeria as both countries reach agreement

The Somali government has also pledged to introduce training programmes and regulatory frameworks to prepare potential overseas workers for foreign job markets, ensuring their safety, well-being, and integration.

“This is about more than jobs,” Minister Yusuf added. “It is about restoring dignity, creating hope, and unlocking the potential of our young people.”