SIMAD iLab hosted the #DigitalSkills4Jobs graduation ceremony in full swing, with SIMAD iLab officially certifying 150 new digital freelancers ready to contribute to the digital economy in Somalia. We are grateful to the partnership with the International Trade Center (ITC) and the financial support from the Government of Japan.

As the ceremony began, congratulatory messages poured in for the newly minted digital entrepreneurs. They were lauded for joining the building blocks of the digital economy uptake in Somalia. It was clear that the graduates had enjoyed the #DigitalSkills4Jobs journey, and the program had equipped them with the skills they needed to thrive in the digital world.

During the ceremony, SIMAD iLab proudly presented projects implemented by its graduates for real clients, both local and international clients. It was an impressive showcase of the level of skill acquisition and mastery by the talented digital entrepreneurs. The clients were equally impressed, and their testimonials in the presentations confirmed the excellent work done by the graduates.

A major reason for the success of the #DigitalSkills4Jobs program was attributed to the quality mentors who delivered an unmatched program. The mentors were hailed as high-caliber experts, and their contributions were lauded. They were instrumental in shaping the graduates' digital skills, and they left a lasting impact on the lives of these young people.

SIMAD iLab took the opportunity during the ceremony to introduce #iLabTopTalents, a new program that unearths ultra-skilled Somali youth who benefited from the programs of SIMAD iLab. The goal was to enable quick access to employment opportunities for these talented youth. It was heartening to learn that the first batch of these 29 top talents had already received job offers, almost all of them.

The unveiling of #WeFreelance, a digital freelancing platform tailored to the Somali context, was another highlight highlight of the ceremony. The platform was integrated into both mobile payments and international debit/credit cards, making it easy for the graduates to access local and global clients and payment systems.

The guest speakers were also impressive. Abdishakur Afrah from Premier Bank gave amazing remarks that inspired the digital freelancers. Premier Bank is a front runner of digital bank services innovation in Somalia, and their partnership and support were invaluable. On the other hand, Yasin Hassan from Hormuud Telecom discussed the digital economy status in Somalia and why it was critical for Somalia to join the bandwagon. SIMAD iLab was inspired by Hormuud's innovative leadership in Somalia and the support they availed to their ecosystem.

The ceremony also highlighted the importance of creating an enabling environment for digital entrepreneurs. The National Communications Authority pledged to contribute to this, and the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs offered to partner with SIMAD iLab to scale the initiative further. These partnerships are crucial in creating a sustainable future for digital entrepreneurship in Somalia.

Dr. Dahir Hassan Arab, SIMAD University's Rector, delivered inspiring closing remarks for the #DigitalSkills4Jobs graduation ceremony. Dr. Dahir reiterated the importance of digital skills for creating a self-sustaining future career for the digital entrepreneurs. The Rector pointed out in his closing remarks, digital skills are critical for creating a self-sustaining future career for our digital entrepreneurs. The #DigitalSkills4Jobs program has given these graduates the tools they need to succeed, and we are excited to see what they will achieve in the coming years.

The #DigitalSkills4Jobs graduation ceremony was a resounding success, and it highlighted the potential of Somali youth in the digital economy. SIMAD iLab has played a critical role in empowering these young people with digital skills that will enable them to thrive in the modern world. The ceremony was a celebration of education, innovation, and partnership. We congratulate the graduates and wish them all the best in their future careers. We also commend our partners, and all those involved in making the program a success. Together, we can build a brighter future for digital entrepreneurship in Somalia.