iRise hub engaged in a meaningful discussion with Ms. Maria Malmer, Swedish Minister for Migration, and her delegation. The conversation centered on the vital role of the Somali diaspora in entrepreneurship and innovation, particularly in Sweden. This meeting highlighted the significance of collaboration between the diaspora and Sweden for the future prosperity of Somalia.

In another exciting development, representatives from iRiseHub met with the YME Foundation from Norway. The discussions revolved around enhancing our partnership in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and job creation initiatives in Somalia. Parts of our team convened in Nairobi for this productive meeting, exploring potential collaborations in entrepreneurship to empower the Somali community.

Our iRise Hub representative Ismail Moktar participated in the Workshop on Developing Effective Food Systems Through Innovation in Hargeisa, Somaliland. The workshop was fruitful, and Ismail learned a lot that will help us develop our work as an innovation center. He hopes that the ideas gathered will contribute to the development of effective food systems in Somalia and Somaliland.

In our ongoing commitment to promoting agribusiness and food security, we proudly hosted the SEED Ignite event in collaboration with WFP and Circle Innovation. This event served as a platform to share crucial insights on how Somali innovators can actively participate in this research-backed food security program. It brought together agricultural leaders and innovators to engage in discussions on the practical application of the SEED IGNITE Application.

The BIC Somali Cohort #1 Incubation Training has officially concluded at iRise Hub. During this 3-month program, participants actively engaged in essential modules vital for the success of their business ideas. These modules encompassed Business Development Skills, Marketing, Financial, Production, and Project Management. These topics generated significant interest among the participants as they were highly relevant to their businesses.

The trainers used various teaching methods to ensure all participants could engage and actively participate in the sessions. Experts in each topic led the training, providing participants with valuable insights from diverse trainers. This approach enhanced the overall learning experience for the participants. The participants who completed and met the criteria will continue their journey to the project’s next phase.

iRise management attended three days of Corporate Governance training with interactive sessions, this initiative, funded by EU and implemented by UNIDO.

The training covered a wide range of topics on corporate governance, including:

1. The importance of good corporate governance
2. The roles and responsibilities of boards of directors
3. Risk management and compliance
4. Financial reporting and integrated reporting
5. Stakeholder engagement