Construction in the Somalia capital is booming as Mogadishu's plot rises from the ashes of its violent past and also offers unexpected opportunities for women such as Fathi Mohamed Abdi and Saadia Ahmed Omar.
The two young female engineers have been supervising the construction of the 10-storey apartment building in Taleh, Hodan District, the city.
They were wearing hard hats and navigating through building materials, giving instructions to a group of workers – all of them were men.
“I began to doubt me,” said Abdi, 24, the chief operating officer of Arkan Engineering Services, a Somalia-owned construction company.
“They would ask, 'How can we trust a house built by a woman? How can I trust my money and property and trust my young female workers?'
She and her colleague Ms. Omar have been practicing for the past five years.
Ms. Omar is also 24 years old. “Mogadishu needs us.
Somalia is a former Italian colony and Somalia experienced a long civil war after the collapse of the Siad Barre government in January 1991.
Even now, decades of war are still visible – just like the central district with explosive buildings above. But the ruins are becoming hidden or replaced by tall office buildings and apartments, and dotted the skyline with cranes and scaffolding.
Both young women were born during the Civil War and grew up witnessing the breakdown of their country. Although many Somalis chose to leave, they remained, zealous of reconstruction, despite the fact that the rebellion was initiated by al-shabab, a group associated with al-Qaeda.
“I think part of the reason women get more opportunities in this field is because there is a lot of work to do and there aren't enough professionals. This creates space for us,” Ms Omar said.
More than 6,000 buildings have been built in Mogadishu over the past five years [Mohamud Abdisamad / BBC]
Ibrahim Abdi Heyle, president of the Somalia Association of Engineers, agreed that the demand for skilled professionals is high, even though changes have slowly been made in Somalia's traditionally male-dominated society.
“Working volume has increased significantly with numerous ongoing infrastructure, energy and technology projects. As a result, the association actively encourages more participation from women, stressing that they are not only welcome, but are crucial to filling key gaps in the workforce,” the 34-year-old said.
“The association believes that empowering engineered women not only helps meet growing demand, but also brings different perspectives and innovative solutions to the industry.”
According to the mayor’s office of Mogadishu, over 6,000 buildings have been built over the past five years, marking a significant change in the city’s landscape.
“The security improvements in Mogadishu have led to improvements in high-rise and commercial buildings,” said Mayor's spokesman Salah Hassan Omar.
Nevertheless, it is not an easy path for Ms. Abdi and Ms. Omar, as only 5% of engineers are women – and they often find that there are few opportunities for guidance.
“When I applied for an internship, most companies turned me down,” Ms. Omar recalled. “They thought a woman could not cope with the physical requirements of the engineering. I searched for three months and then someone finally gave me a chance.”
Today, both are one of Mogadishu's most recognized female engineers, overseeing projects over more than $3 billion.
Ms. Abdi proudly said: “The city is now home to buildings and modern infrastructure, in stark contrast to Mogadishu in the past.”
Somewhat fears that the classical appearance of the old Mogadishu will be completely lost [AFP / Getting Images]
But not everyone is satisfied with this transformation. Senior architect Siidow Cabdulle Boolaay lamented the loss of the city's historical character.
“The buildings that Somalia had added to Somalia before the war were not only beautiful, but also attracted attention due to Italian-style architecture, which was rare in Africa at the time,” he told the BBC. “The urban planning in Mogadishu was highly structured.”
Mr Boolaay also considered safety issues: “The sand used in the buildings in Mogadishu is salty, which undermines its effectiveness.”
The sand from Somalia's long coastline is often used to make cement – a practice that is often discouraged and in many cases is limited by international building standards, as high salt content can lead to corrosion of steel.
He added: “These tall buildings are not designed to withstand fires or heavy rains, and the safety of tenants is not considered during the development process. Many of these buildings lack fire extinguishers and proper electrical installations.”
He is alert to the speed at which the building is built, which he says hurts quality control.
For years, there have been no regulations that have led to concerns about their structural integrity.
Mr Omar of the mayor's office admitted that this was the case until three years ago – and said there was nothing the buildings could do.
But he insists that there is now “quality control, without it, without it, building buildings.”
“we are [also] Prepare new laws that will clearly define where high-rise buildings can be built and only where residences can be built. ”
However, there are some concerns that despite the regulations already in place – due to the speed of building boom, there are usually no follow-up inspections.
Few women are seen in charge of construction sites in Somalia [Mohamud Abdisamad / BBC]
Ms. Abdi and Ms. Omar graduated from the School of Civil Engineering, Mogadishu, the company has been approved by local authorities under the leadership of their company.
The rapid growth of construction projects is attributed to investments by diaspora and improved security – despite controlling large numbers of Somalia’s blockbusters of Islamic militants still targeting the city.
Remittances account for 16.7% of the country's gross domestic product (GDP), according to the World Bank, which provides opportunities for architects and engineers.
However, rapid urbanization also puts Mogadishu in infrastructure challenges – it lacks proper sewage systems and unregulated drilling risks depleting groundwater reserves.
Christophe Hodder, UN climate security and environment adviser, warned that unchecked building booms could lead to long-term environmental consequences.
“We need a coordinated approach to water management, or we risk crisis in the future. Every new building is digging its own drill holes … in a small space, there may be 10 or 20 drill holes.”
The government, in collaboration with international organizations, is developing a new sewage treatment system, but its implementation may require the demolition of existing buildings – a controversial move that can allow residents and businesses to replace them.
Mr Hod added that Mogadishu is densely populated – people are driving into cities due to drought and conflict.
He said the increase in urban population, especially in slum areas, could further increase poverty and social disparities.
Despite these challenges, the future of Mogadishu looks promising. The city is working to implement urban development regulations, improve infrastructure and ensure sustainable growth.
Even bomb attacks by the Islamic militant group Al Shabaab, whose fighter planes tend to target plush hotels occupied by politicians, would not frustrate the enthusiasm of the Somalia Engineers Association.
Engineers hope Mogadishu will become a modern city and a model for post-conflict reconstruction [Mohamud Abdisamad / BBC]
Mr Haier acknowledged that this could be frustrating for architects and engineers whose buildings were damaged, but noted that Somalis have become resilient, especially those who are studying engineering.
“A lot of explosions happened; our dreams didn't stop. Today, we are recovering from the engineering major that collapsed 30 years ago. That means hope.”
Ambitiously, over the past five years, Mogadishu will not only become a modern city, but also a model for post-conflict reconstruction.
Ms Omar said: “I believe Mogadishu is a different city than the 1990s; the city has become a new style, and Mogadishu’s development is consistent with the new world.”
“I feel proud when I walk through the streets and see the buildings I help build. We are not just building buildings; we are building hope.”
Ms. Abdi agreed, adding: “We demonstrate that women can not only design buildings, but also lead projects and shape cities.”
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