Facebook Twitter (X) Instagram Somali Magazine - People's Magazine
The Somali Business & Health Expo 2025 concluded this weekend as a landmark event for entrepreneurs, health professionals, and community stakeholders. Held over two days at Nairobi’s Sarit Centre, it assembled hundreds of attendees from across East Africa and the diaspora. The event has now firmly positioned itself as a must‑attend cornerstone for anyone in the Somali business and healthcare ecosystem.
From the outset, the energy on the expo floor was palpable. Over 120 exhibitors ranged from emerging startups and tech innovators to established companies and nonprofit organizations, each displaying products and services aligned with health, wellness, or entrepreneurship. Crowds flocked to booths offering everything from Afya‑tech innovations and telemedicine platforms to halal dietary solutions and mental health support networks.
The expo’s signature event was a high-level panel discussion focusing on “Halal Healthcare Innovation.” Moderated by prominent Somali medical leaders, it attracted thought leaders across pharmacy, nutrition, biotech, and Islamic scholars.
The organizers set several key objectives: foster business-to-business collaboration, elevate community health awareness, and provide a marketplace for Somali-led ventures. Early indicators suggest they succeeded. Feedback from attendees and exhibitors alike emphasized the diversity of exhibitors—many highlighted that this was the first time they’d encountered certain technologies or services from within the Somali market. Local startups, in particular, reported generating hundreds of leads and initiating joint ventures for distribution, marketing, and distribution partnerships.
Health activities were a central feature of the expo. Free screenings for blood pressure, diabetes, and BMI drew long queues—especially among older participants.
In total, over 500 health tests were conducted on-site, and many visitors took away resources for follow-up care. Informational sessions on holistic mental wellness, maternal health, and chronic disease prevention were standing-room only, sparking meaningful dialogue around previously taboo subjects. The expo’s signature event was a high-level panel discussion focusing on “Halal Healthcare Innovation.” Moderated by prominent Somali medical leaders, it attracted thought leaders across pharmacy, nutrition, biotech, and Islamic scholars. The conversation bridged ethical compliance, emerging medical technologies, and the role of faith in patient-care models. Viewers both in-person and via livestream praised the symbiosis of cultural values and innovation.
A Nairobi-based telehealth provider signed a memorandum of understanding with a US Somali‑led digital health startup to support user onboarding and technology transfer. A Somali-owned nutritional supplement company secured a distribution agreement with an East African importer—deals valued collectively in the six‑figures.
Beyond business, the expo fostered civic engagement. Attendees included diplomats, policy makers, and senior health officials from Somalia, Kenya, and the United States. Their participation underscored the event’s growing influence as a cultural and economic bridge. Ambassadorial representatives visited booths to discuss topics ranging from SME access to international trade to pandemic preparedness. Social media buzz amplified the expo’s reach.
The official hashtag trended across platforms within the Somali digital community, and short videos highlighting exhibitor success stories gained thousands of views in just 48 hours.
Organizers say they exceeded their target of 2,000 visitors and received strong support from sponsors including Somali-owned banks, regional telecommunication firms, and international NGOs.
With 100% of exhibitor feedback reporting they’d return for Expo 2026 and 95% of attendees planning to implement learnings from the health sessions, the numbers tell a story of momentum and purpose.
The expo concluded with a gala reception held at a nearby hotel, featuring networking sessions, keynote speeches, and award recognitions for “Health Innovator of the Year,” “Startup of the Year,” and other categories.
The reception offered a final opportunity to solidify connections forged on the expo floor and to celebrate Somali-led innovation in business and wellness.
The 2025 Somali Business & Health Expo demonstrated that community-rooted events can drive serious impact—combining health empowerment, entrepreneurial opportunity, and cultural pride into one cohesive platform.
Plans are already underway to expand the event in 2026, including satellite exhibitions in locales like Mogadishu and Minneapolis.
What’s clear is that Somali-driven health and business innovation is no longer emerging—it’s thriving. The Somali Business & Health Expo 2025 may be over, but its influence is just beginning.
As the lights dimmed and the final booth was packed away, one feeling remained: gratitude. The Somali Business & Health Expo 2025 was not just an event—it was a movement. And it would not have been possible without each of you.
To the entrepreneurs who showcased their ideas with passion and purpose, thank you. Your creativity, resilience, and vision inspired every attendee who walked through the doors of the Sarit Centre. Whether you were launching a health startup, presenting a halal product line, or offering wellness services rooted in culture and care, you showed the world what Somali innovation looks like. Your work turned aisles into opportunities.
To our healthcare professionals—thank you for your wisdom, your time, and your dedication. You brought not only your expertise but your hearts to this expo. The free screenings, community consultations, and wellness discussions made a lasting impact on the lives of hundreds. You reminded all of us that good health is not a privilege—it’s a right, and it starts with knowledge, access, and trust.
To our distinguished guests— dignitaries, and government representatives—your presence was an honor. Your support reaffirmed that Somali-led initiatives matter on both regional and global stages. Thank you for walking the floor, engaging with exhibitors, and lending your voice to the future of ethical business and inclusive healthcare.
To our event sponsors and partners—thank you for believing in this vision before it became a reality. Your support helped bring together brilliant minds from across East Africa, the diaspora, and beyond. Your investment wasn’t just financial—it was a show of faith in community-led growth.
To the volunteers and organizing team: we see you. Your tireless behind-the-scenes work, your patience, your planning, and your persistence made everything possible. You created something beautiful—and did so with excellence, grace, and love for the community.
To the attendees—thank you for showing up. Your presence, your conversations, your questions, and your willingness to support Somali businesses and healthcare providers brought this expo to life. Whether you came from Nairobi, Mogadishu, Minneapolis, or Mombasa—thank you for showing up for us.
And to those who joined us online, thank you for following the journey, amplifying our voices, and celebrating our stories. Every post, every share, every message of encouragement mattered more than you know.
What happened at the Somali Business & Health Expo 2025 was bigger than business or health. It was about connection. About pride. About showing the world that Somali-led solutions can—and do—shape industries, transform lives, and uplift entire communities.
We’re not done. This was only the beginning. We’re already preparing for an even bigger Expo 2026, with expanded access, new countries, and deeper collaboration. But for now, we pause, reflect, and offer our most heartfelt thanks.
Thank you for making history with us.
With gratitude,
Somali Business & Health Expo Team