Somali Regional State Holds Youth Conference to Boost Digital Empowerment

Ethiopia, 21 January 2026 A two-day youth conference aimed at empowering young people in the digital era was held Tuesday in Jigjiga, organized jointly by the Somali Regional State (SRS) Youth Office and Hiraad Institute. The event, themed “Empowering Youth in the Modern Era,” is the second of its kind.

The conference was attended by Vice President of the Somali Regional State, Ibrahim Osman Farah, representatives of public and private sectors and young participants from across the region.

In his remarks, Vice President Farah emphasized the critical role of youth in societal development, highlighting their participation in community affairs, use of modern technology, education, natural resource management, agricultural development, and overall regional growth. “Youth are the backbone of society; our top priority is education, because young people must acquire knowledge,” he said.