MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has made a heartfelt appeal to the country’s business community, urging them to support an ambitious new vision for Mogadishu. Speaking to leading entrepreneurs on Friday night, Mohamud laid out the Mogadishu Development Plan, a bold initiative designed to rejuvenate the capital with modern infrastructure and vibrant public spaces.

The plan envisions an international convention center and expansive recreational areas, marking a significant step in Mogadishu’s transformation into a thriving hub for commerce and culture. Addressing the gathering, the President emphasized the critical role of local businesses in turning this vision into reality.

“This is not just a government initiative—it’s a national effort,” Mohamud said passionately. “You, the business community, have always been at the heart of our economy. Now is the time to invest in our city’s future, to create a Mogadishu we can all be proud of.”

The appeal comes at a challenging time for many businesses in the capital, with recent closures resulting from stricter regulatory measures. Acknowledging these difficulties, the President stressed the importance of improved tax compliance to ensure sustainable development. He also praised the resilience and contributions of the business sector, calling it the backbone of Somalia’s economy.

Just days before, on Wednesday, Mohamud inaugurated the Mogadishu Gateway Complex, a landmark development that marks a new chapter for the city. The complex, a symbol of progress and possibility, includes Somalia’s first five-star hotel, a cutting-edge convention center, a modern hospital, an elite school, and a mix of shopping, residential, and leisure facilities.

“This project is more than brick and mortar—it’s a symbol of our resilience, our hope, and our ambition,” Mohamud said at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “Mogadishu is rising, and this is just the beginning.”