Anisa Abdikafar Mohamud

In a country where conflict, climate shocks, and displacement have long shaped people’s lives, Anisa Abdikafar Mohamud is leading a new generation determined to rewrite Somalia’s story—one built on resilience, innovation, and inclusion.
As the Founder and CEO of AYAAN Initiative and Deputy Coordinator of the World Food Forum Somalia Chapter, Anisa is among the most dynamic young leaders reshaping Somalia’s agrifood and humanitarian landscape. With over eight years of experience, she has dedicated her career to empowering women and youth affected by fragility—helping them rebuild livelihoods, participate in agribusiness, and adapt to the realities of climate change.
“Somalia’s greatest untapped resource is its youth,” Anisa says. “If we equip them with skills and opportunities, they can turn the cycle of crisis into a cycle of growth.”
Anisa’s journey began on the humanitarian frontlines. Witnessing firsthand how conflict and environmental degradation devastated rural communities, she realized that relief alone could not deliver lasting change. Transitioning from emergency response to systems-level leadership, Anisa began bridging the gap between humanitarian aid, development, and innovation—creating models that empower young people to drive transformation within their own communities.
Through the AYAAN Initiative, she coordinates youth programs that integrate agrifood innovation, the blue economy, and sustainable livelihoods. The organization focuses on equipping marginalized youth and women with tools to participate meaningfully in Somalia’s evolving food systems—from regenerative agriculture to climate-smart enterprise.
At the same time, Anisa continues shaping national and regional dialogues as Deputy Coordinator of the World Food Forum Somalia Chapter, connecting youth-led solutions to broader policy frameworks and regional partnerships.
Anisa’s leadership extends beyond projects—she has become a powerful advocate for youth inclusion in policy and decision-making. She has represented Somali youth at major international forums such as the Nairobi Summit on ICPD25, delivered keynote remarks at the Humanitarian Action Overview 2023, and actively contributes to national coordination platforms that link skills development, protection, and food security.
Her work has gained recognition from Somalia’s ministries, women’s groups, and youth networks, as well as multiple humanitarian and development partners, acknowledging her impact in advancing gender equality, empowerment, and inclusive growth.
Certified by the International Training Centre of the ILO (ITCILO) under the HackTheDivide: Skills for Fair Digital Transitions in Africa program, Anisa brings a deep understanding of how digital tools can transform livelihoods. She designs and supports tech-enabled TVET models, digital inclusion programs, and innovation labs that prepare Somali youth for the future of work and agro-digital entrepreneurship.
In this space, she is also an active player in African innovation ecosystems, helping youth-led enterprises in agribusiness, green technology, and climate adaptation gain visibility and access to resources.
“Digital innovation is not a luxury—it’s a bridge,” she reflects. “For Somali youth, it connects creativity to opportunity.”
Looking ahead, Anisa’s ambitions are bold and forward-looking. She envisions establishing a National Youth Empowerment and Food Systems Hub—an ecosystem that will integrate skills training, agribusiness incubation, digital innovation, climate education, and women’s empowerment. The hub will serve as a platform where young people not only learn but lead in building a resilient and inclusive food system for Somalia.
Her mission is clear: to ensure that Somalia’s youth are not just participants in development dialogues—but architects of their country’s transformation.
Through her work at AYAAN Initiative, the World Food Forum, and beyond, Anisa Abdikafar Mohamud embodies a powerful truth: when youth are given the tools to lead, they don’t just adapt to change—they drive it. And in a nation learning to heal, rebuild, and reimagine, her leadership is both a symbol of hope and a catalyst for lasting progress.