DOHA, Qatar, May 9, 2025 – Somalia and Qatar have reached an agreement expected to pave the way for the employment of more than 10,000 Somali youth in the Gulf state, Somalia’s state media reported on Friday.
The deal, which includes both skilled and unskilled workers, was announced following a visit to Doha by a delegation from the federal government of Somalia. Officials said the move aims to tackle high youth unemployment in the Horn of Africa nation, while providing much-needed labour to Qatar.
“This agreement marks a significant milestone in strengthening bilateral cooperation between our two countries,” Somalia’s Ministry of Labour said in a statement, without specifying when the deployment of workers would begin.
Qatar has faced criticism in the past over its treatment of migrant workers, particularly during preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Rights groups accused authorities of wage theft, poor working conditions, and a lack of transparency over the deaths of foreign labourers.
Doha has denied widespread violations and implemented a series of labour reforms under international scrutiny.
The new labour agreement comes amid ongoing efforts by Somalia to expand economic ties with Gulf nations and boost remittance flows, which are a vital lifeline for many Somali households.
