From BBC News · · 3m
Mogadishu's young guide reshapes Somalia's image
A 23-year-old tour guide uses social media to show visitors the beaches and culture of Mogadishu, challenging years of negative headlines about Somalia's capital.
In brief
A 23-year-old tour guide uses social media to show visitors the beaches and culture of Mogadishu, challenging years of negative headlines about Somalia's capital. Sucdi Abdul Fattah Abdul Khader leads tours in Mogadishu, using social media to show the city's beauty and culture beyond its reputation for conflict and…
Golden sands and palm fronds
Sucdi Abdul Fattah Abdul Khader, twenty-three, wants the world to see Mogadishu as a beautiful coastal city, not through the lens of violence and insecurity.
Beyond the headlines
She takes visitors to Jazeera beach, sand dunes that remind some of the Sahara, the fish market, and historic sites reflecting Mogadishu's past as an Indian Ocean trading centre.
Tasting Somali culture
Tours include Somali food such as camel meat, samosas and traditional tea, alongside visits to markets showing the variety of marine life along Somalia's extensive coastline.
Visitors arrive with fear
Many tourists come expecting danger based on years of news coverage. Sucdi says they are surprised by how beautiful the country is and how welcoming people are.
“Mostly, they are surprised by how beautiful the country is and how welcoming people are.”
Following her father's path
Sucdi's father worked as a guide for over three decades, taking journalists and visitors around Somalia. He introduced her to the business nearly three years ago.
From hobby to passion
She now works alongside her father and a team of guides, building on his experience while using social media to reach a wider audience beyond Mogadishu.
“I started this job as a hobby, but it has become something that I like and am passionate about.”
TikTok brings Mogadishu home
She shares videos of her tours on TikTok, offering people outside Somalia a glimpse of places they may never have imagined visiting. She is considering producing content in English.
Tourism is still new
Tourism remains a relatively new field in Somalia, with only a handful working as guides in Mogadishu. The business is seasonal but this year has been particularly encouraging.
Five tourists a week is success
Having five tourists a week is considered a success, though numbers remain fairly low. Sucdi is confident that numbers will grow despite many visitors still concerned about security.
From rubble to commercial hub
Since the collapse of Somalia's central government in nineteen ninety-one, Mogadishu endured decades of civil war.
Tourism numbers are rising
About ten thousand tourists visited Somalia in two thousand twenty-four, a fifty percent increase on the previous year, according to the country's tourism department.
Reality versus media narrative
American travel content creator Chris Reese visited Mogadishu twice. His first solo trip was so positive he returned with friends. He says international news coverage showed mostly negative headlines.
“If you only read the news reports about Somalia, you would be scared to visit.”
Visitors discover a different story
Romanian traveller Mihaela Patap says she feels safe in Mogadishu and finds the people warm and friendly. She plans to share her experience and encourage others to visit Somalia.
“I don't see anything dangerous. I feel safe and the people are warm.”
Telling a fuller story
Sucdi continues her family profession while building a business in an industry with few women. She uses digital platforms to show visitors landscapes, culture and people beyond negative headlines.
“Through my tours, I am giving visitors an opportunity to experience its landscapes, our culture and people beyond the familiar negative headlines.”
In short
Sucdi Abdul Fattah Abdul Khader leads tours in Mogadishu, using social media to show the city's beauty and culture beyond its reputation for conflict and insecurity.
