Yusuf Hassan, Mohamed Abdi Affey Call for Youth-Led Growth and Deeper Regional Trade Ties.



By Christopher Mbiti | October 12, 2026
In pictures:Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan and former Kenyan Ambassador to Somalia Mohamed Abdi Affey pose with other GSEF officials during the GSEF 2026 media briefing in Nairobi.

NAIROBI, Kenya 
Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan and former Kenyan Ambassador to Somalia Mohamed Abdi Affey have called for stronger regional integration, youth empowerment and business-friendly policies to boost trade and investment across East Africa.

Speaking during a media briefing for the Global Somali Entrepreneurship Forum (GSEF) 2026 in Nairobi, the two leaders said Somalia’s membership in the East African Community (EAC) presents an opportunity to strengthen cross-border commerce and expand economic partnerships.

Hassan urged African leaders to give young people greater opportunities to drive development, noting that the continent’s youthful population remains a major economic asset.
In pictures:Kamukunji Member of Parliament, Yusuf Hassan 

He also praised Somali entrepreneurs for building extensive business networks and called for fewer trade barriers, greater accountability and stronger anti-corruption measures.

“Business thrives when we have transparency, we have accountability, we have a zero tolerance to corruption,” Hassan said.

Affey highlighted the role of business partnerships in building trust across communities, arguing that commercial relationships often remain strong despite political differences.
In pictures:Former Kenyan Ambassador to Somalia Mohamed Abdi Affey
“One thing I realized amongst the Somali community at the time, and I think even now, there is more trust in business than in politics,” he said.

The former diplomat urged greater involvement of the Somali government and business community in regional economic discussions, saying Somalia’s EAC membership could deepen commercial ties across East Africa.

The remarks come ahead of GSEF 2026, scheduled for October 24–25 at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Upper Hill, Nairobi.

The forum will be held under the theme “Shaping the Future of East Africa through Innovation, Inclusive Governance, Regional Integration, and Sustainable Investment,”bringing together stakeholders to explore opportunities for entrepreneurship, investment and sustainable regional growth.
Ends.

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