In a milestone for inclusive development, 216 refugees and host community members graduated on 27 November 2025 from short-term and long-term digital skills programs at the Jigjiga Digital Innovation Hub, marking a major step toward expanding employment and entrepreneurial opportunities in Ethiopia’s Somali Region. Among the graduates, 35% were women, reflecting a commitment to gender-inclusive programming.
The Hub, jointly established by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Somali Regional State Innovation and Technology Bureau, is part of the PROSPECTS Partnership funded by the Government of the Netherlands. It provides modern learning spaces, free internet access, co-working facilities, and market-relevant training designed to bridge the digital divide and create meaningful economic opportunities for refugees and host communities alike. The initiative aligns with Ethiopia’s Digital Ethiopia 2030 strategy, which prioritizes digital infrastructure, skills development, and inclusive economic growth, while supporting the country’s commitments under the 2023 Global Refugee Forum.
The programs offered a comprehensive curriculum: short-term courses in basic computing, Microsoft Suite, internet security, and entrepreneurship, and long-term courses in advanced networking, website development, graphic design, digital marketing, and entrepreneurship. These trainings equip participants with skills to access decent work through employment, freelancing, or launching their own ventures.
“The skills today’s graduates have acquired are tools for empowerment,” said Dereje Alemu, ILO Programme Officer in Addis Ababa. “They unlock pathways to decent work and economic opportunity in the Somali Regional State.”
Graduates received certificates, with top performers awarded laptops to support continued learning and digital entrepreneurship. Hodan Abdilahi Muse, a Somali refugee and single mother, expressed gratitude, noting the skills gave her confidence and new opportunities. Top scorer Sharmarke Shakib Ahmed highlighted how the training and laptop will enable him to work independently as a website developer.
The ceremony brought together government representatives, educational institutions, development partners, and civil society, reaffirming a shared commitment to inclusive digital transformation. The ILO will continue expanding its operations in the Somali Region, supporting digital skills development, job linkages, and digital startups to promote decent work for youth.
