Somalia’s construction boom in Mogadishu gives women high ambitions

The construction is booming in the capital city of Somalia and a measure that Mogadiscio literally rises from the ashes of their violent adjustments, is also giving unexpected opportunities such as Fathi Mohamed Abdi and Saadia Ahmed Omar.

The two young engineers have supervised the construction of a 10 -story apartments complex in Taleh in the city’s Hodan district.

Using hard hats, they navigate through the construction material, emitting instructions to a team of workers, all of whom are men.

“When I started, people doubted me,” says the BBC, Arkan de Arkan, a Somali construction company, the BBC.

“They would ask:” How can we trust the construction of a house for a woman? How can I trust my money and property with a young engineer? “

She and her colleague, Mrs. Omar, have been practicing engineers during the last five years.

“Mogadiscio needs us,” says Mrs. Omar, who is also 24 years old. “When I was young, this city was in chaos. Now, we are part of its reconstruction.”

Somalia, a former Italian colony, has experienced a prolonged period or a civil war after the government of President Siad Barre collapsed in January 1991.

Even now, the decades of decades of war are still visible, as in the Central District of Shangani, where there are bombarded buildings. But the ruins are hiding or replaced by high complexes and office apartments, and a horizon dotted with cranes and scaffolding.

Both young women were born in the civil war and grew up their fragment of country. While many Somalíes chose to leave, they stayed, driven by a passion to rebuild, despite the fact that Al-Shabab, a group linked to Al-Qaeda.

“I think part of the reason why women are getting more Chans in this field is because there is a lot of work to do, and not enough professionals to do so. That creates space for us,” says Omar.

Ibrahim Abdi Heyle, president of the Somali Engineers Association, agrees that the high demand for qualified professionals is leading to change, even if it is slowly in society traditionally dominated by the men of Somalia.

“With numerous infrastructure, energy and wave technology projects, the workload has increased significantly. As a result, the activity of the association encourages greater participation of women, emphasizing that they are not only the workforce welcome to the filling,” says 34 years.

“The association believes that empowering women in engineering not only helps meet the growing demand, but also provides several perspectives and innovative solutions to the industry.”

According to the office of the mayor of Mogadiscio, in the last five years, more than 6,000 buildings have been built, marking a significant change in the city’s landscape.

“The security in Mogadiscio has improved, which leads to an increase in high -height and commercial buildings,” says Salah Hassan Omar, the mayor’s spokesman.

However, it does not have an easy path for Mrs. Abdi and Mrs. Omar, since only 5% of engineers are women, and they or finding opportunities for tutoring are scarce.

“When I requested internships, most companies rejected me,” recalls Mrs. Omar. “They did not believe that a woman could handle the physical demands of engineering. I look for three months before some finally cool me a chance.”

Today, the two are among the most recognized engineers in Mogadiscio, since they have supervised more than 30 billionaire projects.

“The city now houses higher buildings and modern infrastructure, a marked contrast with the mogadiscio of the past,” says Abdi with pride.

But not everyone is satisfied with the transformation. The veteran architect yes Cabdulle Bolaay regrets the loss of the historical character of the city.

“The buildings that once adorned Somalia before those that were not only beautiful, but also attracted attention due to their Italian style architecture, which was strange in Africa at that time,” he tells the BBC. “Mogadiscio’s urban planning was highly structured.”

Mr. Bolaay also has security concerns: “The sand used in Mogadiscio buildings is salty, which undermines its effectiveness.”

The sand of the long coast of Somalia is used to make cement, a practice that generally discourages and, in many circumstances, restricted by international construction standards because high salt can cause the corrosion of steel.

“These high buildings are not designed to resist fire or strong rain, and the safety for tenants is not a development of consultants. Many of these buildings lack fire extinguishers and adequate electrical installations,” he adds, visible disappointed.

It is a great rhythm to which buildings are built, which says it compromises quality control.

For years, there were no regulations, which led groups about their structural integrity.

Mr. Omar, from the mayor’s office, admits that this was the case until three years ago, and says that nothing can be done about those buildings.

But he insists that there is now “quality control and no one will build a building without it.”

“Are [also] Preparation of new laws that will clearly define where high -rise buildings can be built and where only residential houses must be built. “

However, there are concerns that, although they are in their place, there are or no monitoring verification due to the speed of the construction tree.

Mrs. Abdi and Mrs. Omar, who graduated from the Faculty of Civil Engineering of the University of Plasma of the University of Plasma, say that under the company all their projects have been approved by local authorities.

The rapid growth of construction projects has been attributed to the investments of the diaspora, as well as the best security: Islamist militants who control large stripes in southern Somalia are still directed to the city.

According to the World Bank, remittances represented 16.7% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product in 2022, something that has provided opportunities to architects and engineers.

But rapid urbanization has also exposed Mogadiscio to infrastructure challenges: it lacks an adequate wastewater system and the risks of drilling unregulated holes that exhaust groundwater reserves.

Christophe Hodder, an UN environmental and climate security advisor, warns that the rise of construction without control could lead to long -term environmental consequences.

“We need a coordinated approach for water management, or we risk a crisis in the future. Each new building is digging its own well … In a small space, there could be 10 or 20 holes,” the BBC touched.

The Government, in association with international organizations, is working in a new wastewater system, but its implementation may require the demolition of existing buildings, a controversial movement that could displace residents and companies.

Hodder adds that there is a high population density in Mogadiscio, people taken to the city by drought and conflict.

An increase in urban population, especially in the areas of low neighborhoods, could further increase poverty and social disparities, he says.

Despite the thesis challenges, Mogadiscio’s future seems promising. The city strives to implement urban development regulations, improve infrastructure and guarantee sustainable growth.

Even the bombings of the Islamist armed group to -Shabab, whose combatants tend to attack the luxury hotels occupied by politicians, do not abolish the enthusiasm of the Somali Engineers Association.

Heyle admits that it can be annoying for architects and engineers whose buildings are destroyed, but points out that Somalis have become resistant, especially those who study engineering.

“Many explosions passed; our dreams did not stop at that. Today we are reliving the engineering professional, who collapsed 30 years ago. That means there is hope.”

And the ambition is that in five years, Mogadiscio will not only be a modern city but also a model reconstruction after the conflict.

“I think Mogadiscio is a different city compared to the 1990s; the city has changed to a new style, and the development of Mogadiscio is in line with the New World,” says Mrs. Omar.

“When I walk through the streets and I see buildings that I helped to build, I feel proud. We are not only building structures; we are building hope.”

Mrs. Abdi agrees, and adds: “We are demonstrating that women can not only design buildings but also lead projects and shape the city.”