The short version
- Local guides are introducing visitors to Mogadishu's beaches, markets, and history to counter media portrayals focused solely on violence.
- Tourist arrivals in Somalia rose by fifty percent in 2024, reaching approximately ten thousand visitors despite ongoing security challenges.
- The city has undergone significant reconstruction since the withdrawal of militant groups, though safety remains a primary concern for travelers.
A small but growing group of local tour guides in Mogadishu is working to reshape international perceptions of Somalia’s capital. For years, global media coverage has focused heavily on suicide attacks and armed conflict, creating an image that many visitors find at odds with their actual experiences. These guides are attempting to bridge that gap by highlighting the city’s scenic coastlines, historic trading roots, and welcoming communities.
Sucdi Abdul Fattah Abdul Khader, a twenty-three-year-old guide, represents this shift in perspective. She leads tours that move beyond the headlines, taking guests to locations such as Jazeera beach and nearby sand dunes that some compare to the Sahara. Her itinerary also includes visits to local fish markets, where tourists can observe the diversity of marine life available along Somalia’s extensive coastline, which is the longest on mainland Africa.
The tours are designed to showcase the cultural layers of Mogadishu, a city that served as a busy hub for Indian Ocean trade. Visitors learn about the influences of former Ottoman and Italian rulers while sampling local cuisine, including camel meat, samosas, and traditional tea. Abdul Khader notes that many guests arrive with expectations shaped by reports of insecurity but leave surprised by the beauty of the landscape and the hospitality of the residents.
Abdul Khader entered the profession through her father, who worked as a guide for over three decades, hosting journalists and international visitors. She began assisting him nearly three years ago, initially treating it as a hobby before developing a serious passion for the work. Today, she collaborates with her father and a team of other guides, leveraging social media platforms like TikTok to share videos of their tours with a global audience.
The tourism sector in Somalia remains nascent, with only a handful of professionals operating in Mogadishu. The business is seasonal, but Abdul Khader reports that the current year has been encouraging. While visitor numbers are still low, with five tourists per week considered a success, she anticipates growth. She is also exploring the production of English-language content to reach audiences who do not speak Somali.
Official figures from Somalia’s tourism department indicate that approximately ten thousand tourists visited the country in 2024, marking a fifty percent increase from the previous year. This rise comes after decades of civil war and displacement that followed the collapse of the central government in 1991. Much of the city center was reduced to rubble during this period, leading to the breakdown of basic services and infrastructure.
Since the withdrawal of the Islamist militant group al-Shabab from most of the city in 2011 and the establishment of a federal government in 2012, Mogadishu has experienced a gradual transformation. Returning members of the diaspora, along with local entrepreneurs and investors, have fueled a construction boom. New hotels, restaurants, businesses, and residential developments are reshaping the capital into a growing commercial hub.
Despite this progress, insecurity and the legacy of conflict remain part of daily life in Mogadishu. Many visitors express concern about safety before traveling and often encounter security checkpoints around the city. However, guides report that on-the-ground experiences are generally positive. Abdul Khader acknowledges questions about whether it is safe for a young woman to work as a guide but remains determined to continue her efforts.
The contrast between Somalia’s reputation and the reality experienced by tourists can be striking. Content creators and travelers who visit often note that the media narrative of explosions and bombs does not fully capture the city’s current state. Abdul Khader hopes that more visitors will see the beautiful, welcoming side of Mogadishu, contributing to a broader understanding of Somalia beyond its conflict history.
As tourism slowly expands, the role of local guides becomes increasingly important in managing visitor expectations and ensuring safety. While numbers remain modest compared to other African destinations, the steady increase in arrivals suggests growing interest. The success of these initiatives depends on continued stability and the ability of guides like Abdul Khader to connect international visitors with the authentic cultural and natural assets of the region.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC World↗The young Somali woman changing how the world sees Mogadishu
