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INTERNATIONAL FINANCE CORPORATION & STRATHMORE UNIVERSITY BUSINESS SCHOOL PRESENTS – SOMALI INVESTMENT ACADEMY (SOMINA).
About the Programme
Strathmore Business School and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) entered into a Cooperation Agreement in 2020 to design and deliver the Somali Investment Academy (SOMINA). SBS and IFC are committed to developing and implementing sustainable capacity building programmes, tailored to Somali nationals, with the aim of catalyzing inclusive growth and shared prosperity of the nation and the region at large. SOMINA is aimed at developing the general management and business skills of mid-senior level Somali nationals involved in private and public sector development. SOMINA will offer intensive training and capacity development on practical, transactional aspects of international financings, governance and operational structures, and overall eligibility of Somali institutions to access foreign investment from international investors (including IFC and other development finance institutions). The selected participants should leave the programme with a good understanding of how various risks inform how international investors make investment decisions and best practice solutions adopted by the World Bank Group (WBG).
General Information
The Programme is designed around the following tenets and principles:
- Learning is experiential in nature and seeks to apply knowledge from diverse multi-disciplinary perspectives (diversity of case studies from public and private sectors/social and business sector, peer to peer learning and the like);
- Learning is foundational and not prescriptive (provide skill sets applicable to diverse business settings)
Drawing from the Needs Assessment and justification the programme goals and objectives are as follows:
- An accredited academic program entirely focused on investing in Somalia and designed for officials and professionals involved in private sector development in Somalia.
- Increase technical know-how and project evaluation capacity among investment professionals, financial institutions, public agencies and professional advisors in Somalia working on sustainable development finance.
By the end of the course, the students should be able to:
- Demonstrate enhanced knowledge and understanding of the topics covered in the programme, enhanced performance at the workplace.
- Apply ethical practices in evaluating the key political, legal, commercial, operational and environmental risks limiting investment in Somalia and apply best practice solutions to addressing them.
- Understand the strategies in the private and public sector that promote sustainable development and how these can be implemented in Somalia.
Mode of Delivery
The mode of delivery to be used in the programme is based on class attendance and in-class participation of the students.
Face to face lectures and audio-visual projection will be used. Video-conferencing facilities shall also be deployed. There is also moderate use of an e-learning platform already in place.
Our Learning and Teaching Methodologies include lectures, case studies, group and individual assignments, discussions, simulations, exercises, and industry guest- speaker sessions.
This section will itemize and comprise of the following:
Key Courses to be covered:
- Improving access to finance
- How to identify, assess and mitigate risk
- Legal and regulatory considerations in investing in Somalia
- Financial and business risk management
- Corporate Governance
Purpose of the Course/description:
Increase technical know-how and project evaluation capacity among investment professionals, financial institutions, public agencies and professional advisors in Somalia working on sustainable development finance
The fee covers all learning materials, printed case studies, daily meals and refreshments, venue, audio-visual equipment and technical support, leadership assessment tools, and a certificate of completion.
From our Alumni
The training emphasized effective stakeholder engagement and compliance alignment, which helped me streamline internal communication and ensure adherence to regulatory standards. I also adopted several strategic planning tools introduced during the program, which I now use to set clear objectives, track performance indicators, and align team efforts with broader organizational goals. These strategies have contributed to greater efficiency and accountability in our daily operations
SOMINA Alumni
SOMINA helped reinforce my understanding of the crucial role that good governance, ethical leadership, and adaptive strategies play in the development of both financial institutions and the broader economy in Somalia
SOMINA Alumni:
The most valuable aspect of the training for me was gaining a deeper understanding of the investment landscape in Somalia, especially the potential within emerging sectors like agriculture, renewable energy, and tech. It shifted my perspective from seeing the challenges alone to recognizing the unique opportunities that exist. The training also highlighted the importance of building trust, local partnerships, and long-term strategies. Now, I see investing in Somalia not just as a financial opportunity, but as a meaningful way to contribute to sustainable development and economic resilience
SOMINA Alumni:
One of the key insights I gained from the SOMINA program was the importance of data-driven decision-making, especially when working in resource-limited settings. I’ve started applying this by incorporating simple but effective monitoring and evaluation tools into our projects, which has helped us better track progress and impact. Additionally, the emphasis on collaboration and cross-sector partnerships inspired me to engage more actively with other organizations in our field, leading to more integrated and sustainable approaches in our work
SOMINA Alumni
I gained valuable insights and practical examples on DFI expectations when engaging commercial entities. I also learned that ESG is a core aspect of credit assessment and appreciated the systems view of financial management, especially relevant for Somalia’s underdeveloped economy, which requires broad, tailored solutions
Rashid Omar Galgalo
Trade Finance manager – Premier Bank, Somalia
The most valuable aspect of the SOMINA training for me was the deep dive into the legal and regulatory landscape of investing in Somalia, combined with practical strategies for risk mitigation. It gave me a clearer understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing investors, and the importance of strong governance and compliance in building investor confidence. This has shifted my perspective. I now see investing in Somalia not just as a high-risk venture, but as one with significant potential if underpinned by robust compliance, due diligence, and risk management frameworks
Safia Abdi Abdullah
Head of Risk and Compliance – Premier Bank, Somalia
Sponsors
Strathmore University Business School
The Strathmore University Business School (SBS) was established in March 2005 to provide postgraduate leadership and management training to business leaders in the East, Central and Southern African region, and to promote best practice management tools for dynamic businesses and growth. SBS has grown to become one of the premier business schools in the Eastern Africa region; and aspires to influence leadership of the public and private sectors in the continent.
Strathmore Business School offers unrivalled leadership training and business research services in the region. Since its inception in 2006, SBS has trained over 600 business leaders in the MBA program where 5 years managerial experience is a pre-requisite for admission. Within the short leadership programs, customized programs are developed for different levels of leadership in institutions, and in this category, SBS has trained over 4,000 executives and middle level managers from the private and public sectors. SBS has further accumulated a wealth of experience in conducting research, consultancy and coaching of executives.
About IFC
IFC is a sister organization of the World Bank and member of the World Bank Group is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in developing countries. The Bank Group has set two goals for the world to achieve by 2030: end extreme poverty and promote shared prosperity in every country. Established in 1956, IFC is owned by 185 member countries, a group that collectively determines its policies. -To support private sector growth in sub Saharan Africa, IFC’s Advisory Services provide advice, problem solving, and training to companies, industries, governments, and individuals. A critical component of IFC Advisory Services projects in the region is training and capacity building initiatives aimed at promoting, facilitating and/or channeling foreign investment in key sectors of the economy by bridging significant technical skills and knowledge gaps and building institutional capacity.
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- +254 703 034 414
- info@sbs.ac.ke
- Ole Sangale Road, Nairobi