Sucdi Abdul Fattah Abdul Khader, a 23-year-old Somali woman, is leading a growing number of local guides taking visitors beyond the headlines to explore Mogadishu's beauty spots, historic sites, and culture. Her tours include visits to Jazeera beach, where visitors can enjoy the sea and nearby sand dunes, as well as the fish market, where they can discover the variety of marine life available along Somalia's extensive coastline. This initiative aims to change the world's perception of Mogadishu, which is often associated with insecurity and violence.
Sucdi's tours also take visitors to parts of the city that reflect its history as a busy Indian Ocean trading centre, with influences from its Ottoman and Italian former rulers. Visitors can sample Somali food, including camel meat, samosas, and traditional tea. Many tourists arrive in the city with expectations shaped by years of hearing about the insecurity, but Sucdi says they are often surprised by the country's beauty and the welcoming nature of its people. Her guiding business runs in her family, with her father having worked in the profession for over three decades.
Sucdi's father introduced her to the business nearly three years ago, and she now works alongside him and a team of guides, using social media to reach a wider audience. She shares videos of her tours on TikTok, offering people outside Somalia a glimpse of places they may never have imagined visiting. Sucdi is also considering producing content in English to reach audiences who do not speak Somali. Tourism remains a relatively new field in Somalia, with only a handful of guides working in Mogadishu.
Despite the challenges, Sucdi's business is growing, with about five tourists a week considered a success. However, she is confident that numbers will grow. Somalia's tourism department reports that about 10,000 tourists visited the country in 2024, a 50% increase on the previous year. Many visitors ask about their safety before travelling and often encounter security checkpoints around the city, but Sucdi says their experience on the ground is generally positive.
American travel content creator Chris Reese, who goes by the name Authentic Travelling, has visited Mogadishu twice and had a positive experience both times. He enjoyed the city's coastal setting, food, and atmosphere, and decided to return with a group of friends who had seen videos of his visit on social media. Chris says that visiting Somalia challenged his preconceived perceptions, which were shaped by international news coverage.
Mihaela Patap, from Romania, also had a positive experience in Mogadishu, enjoying the natural beauty of the city, including the sand dunes and Indian Ocean coastline. She was struck by the people's friendliness and felt safe during her visit. As an experienced traveller, Mihaela prefers to visit new countries without preconceived ideas and hopes to share her experience and encourage others to visit Somalia.
Sucdi's initiative is part of a broader effort to promote tourism in Somalia, which has Africa's longest mainland coastline, stretching over 3,000km along the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden. The country's beaches and sand dunes sit alongside historic coastal cities like Mogadishu, whose culture reflects centuries of Indian Ocean trade. Sucdi remains determined to continue her work, wanting visitors to experience a Somalia that is rarely seen.
Key points
- Sucdi Abdul Fattah Abdul Khader offers tours showcasing Mogadishu's beauty, historic sites, and culture.
- Tourism in Somalia is growing, with 10,000 tourists visiting the country in 2024.
- Visitors to Mogadishu often have their preconceived perceptions challenged by the city's beauty and welcoming atmosphere.
