By Cremilda Macuácua, China Africa News
MOGADISHU, Somalia, February 25, 2026 — In Mogadishu, Somali youth are rapidly transforming the way people shop not at crowded markets, but online, according to Xinhua News Agency. Over the past year, Chinese-made products ranging from electronics and household appliances to watches, handbags and phone accessories have flooded Somali digital marketplaces, gaining wide popularity among consumers who prefer affordable, quality goods delivered straight to their doors.
This shift has been driven by young entrepreneurs who have taken advantage of social media and smartphone apps to import and sell Chinese products directly to customers, according to Xinhua News Agency. Scrolling through platforms like TikTok now reveals a steady stream of short videos showcasing the latest arrivals, complete with pricing, demonstrations and delivery options.
What was once an informal hustle has begun to look very much like a digital commerce boom fueled by youth ambition and necessity. Many of these young sellers, including university graduates, entered the online market because formal job opportunities are limited, and e-commerce offered an accessible way to earn a living.
For 24-year-old Omar Ahmed, launching Haydar Online was a practical response to a tough job market. “When a person makes great efforts, he finally achieves progress,” he said, explaining why he chose business over unemployment. Ahmed now sources a wide range of Chinese goods and markets them to customers across Mogadishu. Trust and reliable delivery getting the right product to the doorstep as ordered have become key to his success.
Similarly, 28-year-old Mohamed Mustaf launched Side Online Market on TikTok in 2024, selling watches, handbags and phone cases sourced from China to customers throughout the city. “When you look for a job in the city, it is difficult,” Mustaf said. “But with an online business, you are free. You manage everything yourself and can order products easily.”
For consumers like Abdimajid Ali, the appeal is clear: “I like Chinese products because they have high quality at a low price.” Platforms such as TikTok have become virtual storefronts where buyers can browse, place orders via direct messages, and have items delivered to their homes, saving time and effort.
As Somalia steadily rebuilds its commercial life after decades of instability, this youth-led digital trade wave is creating new economic pathways proving that in a world increasingly shaped by smartphones and social media, opportunity often follows innovation as much as formal employment.
