Closing the SME Financing Gap in Somalia

​Somalia isn’t short on capital.
It’s short on capital that actually deploys.

​At the backdrop of AVCA, the Somali Development and Reconstruction Bank (SDRB) and Hello Tractor ) is bringing together a small group of investors, operators, and institutions to unpack capital structuring  in frontier markets like Somalia. 

​Despite strong macro momentum in Somalia, from debt relief, steady growth, and widespread mobile money adoption, over 2 million businesses remain locked out of financing, with less than 5% of demand being met.

​This curated session with Abdul-Karim Mohamed and Jehiel Oliver will unpack:

• ​Why traditional lending models consistently fail MSMEs

• ​Where real demand sits and why it’s systematically misread

• ​How asset financing, particularly in agriculture, is unlocking productivity

• ​What it takes to structure capital that can actually move at scale

​What’s at stake:

• ​Agriculture employs 60%+ of the population but receives <2% of formal credit

• ​Businesses require 3–7 year asset financing but are offered 6–18 month loans

• ​Liquidity exists but is misaligned with risk, timelines, and borrower realities

​If you’re actively deploying capital, building financial products, or operating in frontier markets, this is a room you want to be in.

​Attendance is limited to ensure a high-quality discussion.