Scholarship Overview
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Overview
The AJF × SDRB Somalia Business Plan Competition is a venture-building initiative for entrepreneurs ready to create productive, export-oriented businesses in Somalia. Organized by the Africa Jobs Fund (AJF) and the Somali Development and Reconstruction Bank (SDRB), this competition offers more than a cash prize—it provides a structured pathway from idea to scalable export manufacturing operation.
Unlike traditional grants, this program treats funding as staged investment. Winners receive $20,000 to launch, with the strongest projects eligible for up to $100,000 in pilot funding and potential scale-up investment reaching $1 million.
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What the Competition Funds
The program targets businesses that process Somali resources, meet international standards, and connect local producers to global markets. Priority sectors include:
- Agriculture & agro-processing: Sesame, honey, bananas, and other crops
- Livestock & meat processing: Abattoirs, cold chain, packaging, halal-certified products
- Fisheries: Cold storage, processing, canning, refrigerated logistics
- Natural products: Frankincense, myrrh, gum arabic, camel milk
- Light manufacturing & consumer products: Goods made in Somalia for regional and global buyers
- Export infrastructure & enabling services: Testing, certification, packaging, logistics, quality assurance
The list is not exhaustive. The judging panel welcomes strong opportunities not explicitly listed.
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Funding Structure
The competition operates across three stages:
| Stage | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Win | $20,000 | Seed capital to get the business started |
| 2. Pilot | Up to $100,000 | Investment to develop and prove a pilot (open to all strong projects, not just the winner) |
| 3. Scale | Up to $1,000,000 | Scale-up investment for successful pilots |
Who Should Apply
This competition is designed for founders and operating teams who:
- Have identified a credible productive, export-oriented business opportunity
- Show strong judgment, initiative, and ability to execute
- Understand the key assumptions, risks, and unanswered questions behind their business
- Are committed to building and operating the venture—not merely advising it
- Can articulate how the business creates meaningful economic value and high-quality jobs
Prior traction is not required. You may be running an existing company, developing an early-stage venture, or starting with a well-researched idea.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet all of the following conditions:
- Have a connection to Somalia
- Be prepared to commit full-time to building the venture
All regions of Somalia are eligible. The organizers highly encourage Somalis and members of the Somali diaspora to apply, even if not currently based in Somalia or its regions. For African applicants from Zimbabwe and the SADC region with Somali heritage or connections, this represents a rare opportunity to engage with Somalia’s economic reconstruction.
Application Requirements
Submit the following:
- Applicant and team information
- A description of your connection to Somalia
- A concept note of no more than two pages
- CVs for all core founders or operating team members
- A one-minute introduction video
A pitch deck or detailed financial model is not required. If you already have one, you may submit it in place of the concept note.
Selection Process
Applications are reviewed for:
- Eligibility
- Founder quality
- Strength of the opportunity
- Potential for job and income impact
- Credibility of the proposed approach
Shortlisted applicants may be invited to interviews and asked for additional information. Final selections follow further diligence and review. All stages are conducted online unless applicants are informed otherwise.
Key Dates
- Applications open: October 5, 2026
- Interviews start: October 9, 2026
- Application deadline: November 6, 2026
About the Organizers
Somali Development and Reconstruction Bank (SDRB): Somalia’s national development finance institution, supporting economic recovery, private-sector growth, and sustainable development through catalytic financing and institutional partnerships.
Africa Jobs Fund (AJF): A philanthropic venture builder creating high-productivity jobs across Africa through export manufacturing and international labour mobility. AJF develops promising ventures and provides catalytic capital to help them test and scale.
Judging Panel
- Hodan Osman: President & Board Chair, SDRB—leads SME finance, catalytic investment, and public value-chain development
- Abukar Dahir: Co-founder and CEO, Sini Capital Management—investor and serial entrepreneur with expertise in unlocking Somalia’s economic potential
- Ben Hyman: Operating Partner, AJF—leads portfolio, investment work, venture building, and operations
Official scholarship page: https://www.africajobsfund.com/opportunities/sdrb-somalia-competition
You apply directly with the provider. We never charge for applications or ask for payment details. How we verify scholarships