GSEF 2026: Yusuf Hassan, Affey Push for Regional Integration, Youth-Led Economic Growth

By Michael Nyamai -

Nairobi, Kenya, October 12, 2026 - Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan and former Kenyan Ambassador to Somalia Mohamed Abdi Affey have called for stronger regional integration, youth empowerment and business-friendly governance, saying Somalia’s entry into the East African Community (EAC) presents a major opportunity to accelerate trade and investment across the region.

Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan and former Kenyan Ambassador to Somalia Mohamed Abdi Affey pose with other GSEF officials during the GSEF 2026 media briefing in Nairobi. Photo: Courtesy.

Speaking during the Global Somali Entrepreneurship Forum (GSEF) 2026 media briefing in Nairobi, the two leaders praised the Somali business community’s contribution to East Africa’s economic development and urged governments to dismantle barriers that hinder entrepreneurship and cross-border commerce.

Hassan challenged African leaders to give young innovators greater opportunities, noting that the continent’s youthful population remained a powerful force for economic transformation despite being governed largely by an ageing leadership.

“Africa is a young population. Almost 60 plus, almost 70 percent of our population is below 35 years old,” Hassan said, calling for a bottom-up transformation to propel Africa towards higher levels of political, social and economic development.

The Kamukunji legislator praised Somali entrepreneurs for building extensive commercial networks across Africa and beyond, saying entrepreneurship and trade were critical to the continent’s prosperity. He also called for deeper African integration, including freer movement of people and goods beyond colonial-era borders.

Hassan described Somalia’s admission to the EAC as a major catalyst for regional economic growth, urging lawmakers to enact legislation that simplifies trade and investment while strengthening accountability and fighting corruption.

“Business thrives when we have transparency, we have accountability, we have a zero tolerance to corruption,” he said.

Affey, who served as Kenya’s first ambassador to Somalia following the collapse of its central government, said business partnerships among members of the Somali community often endured even when political disagreements divided them.

“One thing I realized amongst the Somali community at the time, and I think even now, there is more trust in business than in politics,” Affey said, arguing that business forums could help build trust and promote the good governance needed for thriving enterprises.

The former envoy, who also served as Kenya’s Deputy Minister for Environment, said Somalia’s EAC membership offered an important opportunity to strengthen regional commercial ties, given the Somali community’s extensive presence across East Africa.

“For business to thrive in East Africa and beyond, it is very important to bring the Somali government and the Somali population into that conversation,” he said, commending GSEF for creating a platform for networking, partnerships and investment.

The remarks came ahead of GSEF 2026, scheduled for October 24–25 at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Upper Hill, Nairobi, under the theme “Shaping the Future of East Africa through Innovation, Inclusive Governance, Regional Integration, and Sustainable Investment.”

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