u/MurkyLevel8420

As I've been researching areas that need cleaning and improvement before bringing in the bulldozers, I've realized something concerning: some of these "roads" don't even look like roads, and some of the roads people use every day might actually be private property. Around here, it's common to mark your land with rocks or some kind of border, but there are also many plots with absolutely nothing—no fence, no signs, no rocks, nothing. Then there are places that everyone uses as shortcuts. Over the years, cars have driven through them so much that they've widened and now look exactly like public roads. But are they actually roads? Or are they somebody's land that has simply been tolerated because the owner lives in the diaspora, doesn't know it's happening, or doesn't yet have the funds to develop it? Honestly, nobody wants to be the person who blocks a shortcut and gets cursed by the entire neighborhood.

This is exactly why I'm being extra careful with the bulldozer project. The last thing I want is to clean up what I think is a public road only to find out later that it's someone's private property. Suddenly, there's a land dispute, court cases, accusations, and unnecessary drama. I already have enough things to deal with. I love Somaliland, but one thing we seriously lack is proper planning and civic organization. You shouldn't need detective skills to figure out what is public land and what is private property. The fact that I even have to worry about this shows how much better our planning and regulations need to be. So before I touch anything, I'm going to the local government to get maps and official records because your eyes can deceive you. What looks like a road today might legally belong to somebody tomorrow, and I don't want someone seeing an opportunity to make money off a misunderstanding just because I'm trying to do something positive.

And honestly, this is one of the reasons I intentionally put myself in a position of financial independence. I didn't want my entire future tied to one paycheck because layoffs happen, economies change, and too many people aren't financially prepared when things go wrong. I'm grateful to be in a position where I can use some of my own money to try to improve things, but I also don't want to become one of those people who says, "I have my money, my house, and my foreign passport, so none of these problems affect me. If I want peace of mind, I'll just fly to Qatar or Saudi Arabia for a few days and come back." That's not me. I see the infrastructure gaps, the lack of planning, and the problems people deal with every day, and I want to do something about it, even if it's something as simple as clearing roads and making places safer and more walkable. Has anyone else dealt with roads that aren't really roads, unmarked properties, or land disputes caused by poor planning? Because I genuinely can't be the only one seeing this mess.

Please upvote this so people don't think I abandon my project which is Bulldozer and cleaning some places up.

Thank You

I know many of us in the diaspora have goals, ambitions, and big plans. I also know how easy it is to get distracted. Family responsibilities, uncertainty, lack of structure, and life in general keep pulling you in different directions. You have the energy to work on your goals, but then something happens—you get tired, lose momentum, and before you know it, weeks or months have passed. I understand because I was in that same trap, and I'm still fighting it every day.

But here's my advice: come to the motherland for at least two months if you can. I'm here right now because my classes are online and I have everything sorted out, so I've had the opportunity to truly see life on the ground. Feel the heat, walk the uneven roads, see the traffic and the lack of civic sense, watch people hustle every day just to survive, talk to the woman selling watermelon, the man with a donkey cart, the small business owner trying to make ends meet. You'll also see the beauty of this place, the nightlife, the resilience of our people, and the massive opportunities that exist here. You have to see it with your own eyes because no news article, YouTube video, or social media post can fully explain it.

Once you're here and it finally marinates, I promise you that when you go back to America, Europe, Australia, or wherever you're from, you won't look at life the same way again. You'll work harder, waste less time, and appreciate opportunities more because you've seen firsthand how many people would do anything to have the opportunities that many of us in the diaspora take for granted. As I've said in my previous posts, the people who benefit the most from living here are usually those with multiple sources of income and foreign passports because they have options. They can leave whenever they want and come back whenever they want. I'm fortunate enough to be getting close to that position financially myself, but I don't want to just live comfortably and ignore everything around me. I want to use my resources to do something positive, which is why I'm planning community projects and cleanup efforts while I'm here.

So if you're feeling unmotivated, lost, or stuck in life, my advice is simple: come home for a couple of months. Stay with family if you can, rent a place if you need to, and experience it for yourself. Trust me—you'll leave with a completely different perspective on life, opportunity, and what really matters. You might even come back more motivated than you've ever been.

Please upvote this post so it can be seen by many & Share

Thank You

Before I get into today's topic, I want to thank everyone who reached out privately after my previous post. I'm currently mapping out the city, researching districts and areas that need major improvement, and talking to citizens because they know this place far better than I do. Over the next three weeks, I'll be visiting these places with relatives, doing estimates, budgeting, and figuring out where I can contribute, so thank you again to everyone who sent messages and suggestions.

Now, onto today's question: Why has land become so expensive in Hargeisa? I remember when land was relatively cheap and people didn't seem to care much about it. Today, it feels like everyone is buying land, holding onto it, not developing it, and then selling it later for massive profits. Buy, hold, resell, and repeat. I'm not against investing—I bought a few hectares years ago myself because I was thinking long term and believed the city would eventually expand toward it. But what I don't understand is this obsession with hoarding land instead of developing it. At what point did prices become so inflated? Was it population growth, diaspora money, speculation, lack of regulation, or fear of missing out? I've been told that some plots now sell for $40,000 USD or more depending on the location, which seems incredible considering the economic reality on the ground.

As I mentioned in my previous post, unemployment is high, many people are struggling to make ends meet, and opportunities are limited, so where is all this demand coming from? I can afford to buy more land if I really wanted to, and after six years of preparing myself financially, I'm getting close to a position of financial independence. But honestly, I'm not interested in buying land just to let it sit. I'm interested in building companies, investing in different sectors, creating jobs, and contributing to the motherland in a meaningful way. I also understand our history and know that Hargeisa wasn't engineered for a population of several million people, which is why rapid growth has created challenges, from infrastructure problems to flooding when it rains. So for those who know the history, when did land prices start skyrocketing, why did everyone suddenly start hoarding land, and do you think it's helping or hurting Somaliland's future development? I'd genuinely appreciate your thoughts or a DM because I'm truly trying to understand this issue better.

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Thank You

Yesterday, I finally got my Somaliland national ID. I completed the paperwork, got the necessary signatures, and returned to pick up my card. The good news is that I got my ID, but the experience was honestly devastating. I waited nearly nine hours in complete chaos. There weren't enough chairs, shade, or bathrooms, and there seemed to be very little organization. People were frustrated, angry, and exhausted because everyone has places to be and responsibilities to handle. I didn't record anything because I don't want enemies of Somaliland using our problems against us, but pretending these issues don't exist won't solve them. This isn't just about an ID card—it's about why people have to travel nine or ten hours to Hargeisa for basic government services when Somaliland has counties and regional capitals that could provide these services locally.

While waiting, I spoke with several locals who asked if I was diaspora. We all agreed that Somaliland has enormous potential, but too many problems continue to be ignored: corruption, inflation, unemployment, poor infrastructure, reckless driving, and weak enforcement of basic rules. The local currency is struggling, people are hustling every day just to survive, and many are considering leaving because they don't see enough opportunities. What confuses me is that whenever there's a political crisis, leaders quickly come together to prevent the country from collapsing, but where is that same urgency for the everyday problems people face?

Honestly, the people who seem to benefit most from living here are those with multiple sources of income. For them, Somaliland can feel like paradise because they have options and can leave whenever they want. Meanwhile, many locals are simply trying to make ends meet, and even the diaspora feels the pressure of supporting family back home. I'm fortunate enough to be getting close to that position financially, but I don't want to sit comfortably and ignore these issues. Next week, I'm planning to hire bulldozers with my own money, pay the drivers fairly, and help clean some areas to make them safer and more walkable. We also desperately need more trees and green spaces because the heat here is unbearable and small improvements could make a big difference.

I love Somaliland, and that's exactly why this experience made my blood boil. I see massive potential here, but potential means nothing without action. People aren't leaving because they hate their country—they're leaving because they want opportunities, stability, and a better quality of life.

Please Upvote my post so this can be seen by many & Share

Thank You

This is honestly heartbreaking and frustrating. If you saw my recent post, “Somaliland Has Massive Opportunities — Here’s the Catch “ please read it and engage with it. I spent weeks writing it because I take my writing seriously and wanted people to read it from beginning to end. Nowadays, everything feels AI-written, despite being human written and there’s also something called “false possible” please consider that in mind.

There is nothing wrong with living in the West, but life there is not perfect either. Most people are working, paying rent, car insurance, and other bills while also sending money back home to their families. I have been fortunate to travel and this time I am spending some time motherland, and i’ll be back next year around April 2027 not in the summertime.

What makes my blood boil is that corruption is draining the country & holding the country back, and we still depend too much on remittances and imports. Farming is only one opportunity—there are many others. We should never be in a position where one decision from another country can affect our economy so much. Something has to change, and for now, I will stay patient and hope we eventually move in the right direction.

Please upvote my posts, I appreciate your support.

Hey family — it's been a minute since I posted, but trust me, this one's worth the read. I know I haven't posted in a while; Due to personal reasons such as  organizing my classwork and running my business online, things got busy. But I also finally sorted out my internet situation here, and that's worth sharing. I found a way to get fast, reliable Wi-Fi using NordVPN — and no, this isn't a sponsor, I genuinely thought it was a scam for years with how hard they push it, but it actually works. Connect to a server in America, Europe, wherever you're residing, and your speed jumps. 

Now here's the real reason I'm posting: the potential in this country is massive, and farming is just one example of it. I get why so many people here lean so heavily on the diaspora — jobs are genuinely scarce, there are a few, but nowhere near enough to support everyone. But the real opportunity goes way beyond agriculture if you actually take the time to research it and think it through — there's so much sitting here untapped that people overlook simply because they're not looking close enough. Take farming specifically: the diaspora could realistically raise serious funding for it, even something as simple as everyone chipping in $10, $15, whatever you can afford without hurting your pocket — and if enough of us came together, we could hypothetically be talking $100 million, going toward agriculture equipment, training elders on modern farming, negotiating land deals with landowners and the government. The problem, with all due respect, is corruption. Everyone's looking out for their own interest, and too often that money ends up funding some random tower for someone in government instead of the people. That's exactly why nobody believes in contributing yet. But I love this country, I love the resilience, I love walking through downtown at night watching people hustle and sell — I bought stuff from a few of them myself just to support that hustle directly.

This is also why we can't keep relying on everything from outside, especially not at the mercy of Gulf countries. Even just logically speaking, you can't depend entirely on something outside your own hands — you need some level of preparation, some level of self-sufficiency, because we are not Allah, we don't know what's going to happen tomorrow. We're living in the present, sure, but that doesn't mean we ignore preparing for whatever comes next. We import almost everything, and if a conflict broke out anywhere nearby, this country would feel it immediately given how close we are to the region. I saw the bigger picture firsthand driving from Hargeisa to Borama — genuinely beautiful scenery, real potential everywhere you look. Yes, the road tells its own story: paved and built on one side, full of potholes and unpaved on the other. But if you actually sit with it and think thoroughly instead of just passing through, you start to see just how much is possible here. Honestly, this whole experience has been eye-opening for me, and I'll be here a while as I stated before two months and get back to the states —  All be back not in the summer time like this year 2026,  but probably around April 2027, 

I've traveled across the country watching all of this firsthand, and I'm convinced there are real solutions if people actually engage instead of staying delusional about it. I touched on some of this in my last post too, so if you haven't already, go check that one out — farming is just one topic, there's a lot more I want to get into down the line. If you're seriously interested in business opportunities here with real return potential, drop a comment or message me privately — just come with good intentions, because that's the only way any of this works. Lastly — I posted before and got zero engagement. If you find this valuable, drop a comment or check my page. I only post when I have something worth sharing.

Hey family,

It was 3 AM when I made that post (I deleted it), and I was literally running on low energy while trying to write down as many details as possible. I also missed a mistake: I meant the Republic of Somaliland, not Somalia. Nobody pointed it out until someone commented. So I am posting this post to fix my mistake anyways,

I’m Going to be here for a two-month cause of family trip, and while I’m here I’ve been observing a lot and speaking with ordinary citizens about the high cost of living. Many people are frustrated with taxes, rising prices, and the lack of opportunities, which I completely understand.

I’m interested in learning more about the country’s economic potential. Are there any books, research papers, or reports that discuss industries, resources, or sectors that could be developed locally instead of relying so heavily on imports? I understand the challenges our country faces, but I want to educate myself so that, Insha’Allah, I can contribute in a meaningful way.

I Plan to start a company and am in the process of getting licensed. My goal is to create jobs and eventually expand throughout the country. Right now, I’m researching affordable areas to operate from while I handle registration and startup costs.

I’m also interested in learning more about infrastructure, ports, transportation, and urban development. These topics are frequently mentioned when discussing economic growth, and I’d like to better understand what practical improvements could make the biggest difference.

If anyone has recommendations for books, research, reports, or even personal insights, I’d greatly appreciate them. Nothing feels better than home, and I’d like to learn as much as possible about how we can help build a stronger future.

Thanks.

Hey family,

I’m currently in the Republic of Somalia for a two-month family trip, and while I’m here I’ve been observing a lot and speaking with ordinary citizens about the high cost of living. Many people are frustrated with taxes, rising prices, and the lack of opportunities, which I completely understand.

I’m interested in learning more about the country’s economic potential. Are there any books, research papers, or reports that discuss industries, resources, or sectors that could be developed locally instead of relying so heavily on imports? I understand the challenges our country faces, but I want to educate myself so that, Insha’Allah, I can contribute in a meaningful way.

I recently started a company and am in the process of getting licensed. My goal is to create jobs and eventually expand throughout the country. Right now, I’m researching affordable areas to operate from while I handle registration and startup costs.

I’m also interested in learning more about infrastructure, ports, transportation, and urban development. These topics are frequently mentioned when discussing economic growth, and I’d like to better understand what practical improvements could make the biggest difference.

If anyone has recommendations for books, research, reports, or even personal insights, I’d greatly appreciate them. Nothing feels better than home, and I’d like to learn as much as possible about how we can help build a stronger future.

Thanks.

First time posting here. I've spent about seven years researching Nigeria — reading books, meeting Nigerians, learning the history. I'm fully aware of the political divisions and tribalism, both in Nigeria and across the continent. But as an outsider, I truly believe Nigeria has some of the greatest untapped potential in the world.

The geography alone could make it the aviation hub of West Africa — like a Turkish crossroads for the region. The Niger Delta alone could generate billions in tourism. And Nigerians themselves? Some of the most passionate, hardworking people I've ever met.

But then I see the videos — thousands of people desperate to leave. The outdated airports, the corruption, the lack of basic infrastructure. My friend struggles every time they travel. It's stomach-churning, because the culture, the food, the music — this is a beautiful country.

I understand why people flee to the West. But nothing feels like home, wherever you're from. Nigeria deserves better. I hope to visit one day.

Some of you saw my last post. I’m still here. I got a fan this time . 

Today I want to talk about two things I’ve been seeing every single day since I landed — trash and walkability. ( i’m gonna be noticing a lot  while I’m here for two months) 

The Trash Situation:

Back home whether you’re in the US, Europe, or Australia — bin gets full, you take it out, the truck comes every seven days, trash gets recycled. That’s just normal life in the West

That system does not exist here in the same way

Trash piles up and the goats and sheep are literally eating whatever ends up outside — I personally cannot bring myself to just toss something out like that, it bothers me

Where I’m Staying — Location Matters:

I want to be transparent — where I’m staying is technically within the capital radius but it is far enough that the experience is completely different

Some roads are unpaved, some areas need serious clearing

I filmed a short walk which you will see after this post titled (It didn’t let me upload the vid)— you will see what I mean — you cannot just walk straight, you are constantly looking down watching every single step

Loose rocks, trash spikes, uneven ground — one wrong step and you are dealing with serious problems

What I’m Actually Doing About It:

I’m not just here to observe — I’m here for two months and I want to contribute

I’m already labeling roads I’ve walked through so people, animals, and vehicles can move more safely

I’m looking for a bulldozer — seriously — I want to help clear some of these paths

Better walkability helps everyone — kids, elderly, animals, vehicles — it just needs someone willing to actually do something

This Is Just the Beginning:

I do have a budget — it’s not a lot, but it’s something I put together intentionally. If you check my page and read the post titled “Diaspora Somalilanders: This Is the Time to Prepare, Build, and Lock In” — you’ll understand where my head is at and why this matters to me.

I’m not here just to observe. I’m here to participate, to help while I can, and to contribute to our people. It is genuinely an honor to be here and I plan to come back next year Inshallah — because this is just the tip of the iceberg.

When I get back to the States I’m going to be bringing a drone so I can map things from above, labeling districts, connecting with local government, lobbying, learning the layout of every part of this capital — because every district has a name and every district has problems that need real solutions. I’m going to be writing everything down, doing my research, and building from there. Some of you may end up seeing me on the news a couple years from now — and I say that not to be delusional, but because I took action, changed my life, and put myself in a position where contributing is actually possible.

Have you been to Hargeisa before and noticed things that need fixing? Drop it below — I want to hear from you. I’m looking for real solutions and real conversations. DM me or comment, I will respond. ✌️

Some of you might remember me saying a couple weeks ago that I was heading to Somaliland. Well, I'm here. It's almost midnight, I'm sweating while typing this, and I finally got internet today after two days of nothing — so here we go.

Getting There:

- You'll be flying from the US or Europe, and your layover/connection will likely be through Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

- Before you board or when you arrive in Addis — sort out your e-visa immediately. They will ask you about it at Ethiopia's capital, so do not sleep on this. Get it done ahead of time

- From Addis, you fly into Hargeisa, Somaliland

Entry Tax:

- If you are 18 or older, they will stamp your American passport Or Westerner Passport for example, Australian, Brishi, Etc.. and charge you a $61 entry tax per person

- Traveling with family? Elderly grandparents or parents will likely not get charged, but every adult above 18 pays

- We had multiple people above 18 and ended up paying $250 total — we just accepted it, told them we understand it's a tax, and kept it moving

On the Ground – The Heat is Real:

- If you're staying at a family home, do not assume you will have AC — it exists but it is expensive

- Right now I have no AC and no fan and I am literally sweating as I type this

- Buy a fan. Seriously.

No GBS Here — Sort Things the Old Way:

- Do not expect things to run the way they do back home

- There is no GBS (no real system to fall back on) — you have to figure things out the old fashioned way

- And depending on which side of the capital you are on, your experience will vary — so do not go in with your hopes too high

The Bigger Picture:

What people say about this place and what is actually happening on the ground are two completely different things. Most of us live in the US, Europe, or Australia — we have no idea what life is really like on the ground. I am here right now and I want to give you the real picture, not a polished version of it.

I love this country. I love the culture. I love the people. I have absolutely nothing against anyone here — this post is purely to spread awareness and prepare you for what's real.

Having a passport is an honor. It is genuinely heartbreaking to see people willing to risk their lives and I understand because I am not out of touch with reality and I get it seriouly.

As I said in my previous post — check my page — get your priorities in order first. Once I get back to the States I will be working harder than ever. Being here has only reminded me how much of a blessing it is to have the opportunities we have in the West.

I'm on the ground right now with limited internet, but I will do my best to answer any questions. Drop them below or DM me and I'll give you as much detail as I can while I'm still here. ✌️

I’ve been enjoying participating in this community lately, and honestly it’s been great connecting with other Somalilanders and diaspora members here. My trip to Somaliland is coming up soon, and I’m genuinely excited to be back in the motherland for a while.

If anyone is currently in Somaliland or recently visited, I’d love to hear your recommendations: good restaurants, places to visit, local businesses to support, hidden gems, or any advice for someone planning to explore and experience the country properly.

Once I arrive, I’m planning to share some updates here too — from the flight, landing at the airport, and showing what the airport looks like inside and outside. I want to document the experience and post positive content from the ground for anyone in the diaspora who’s curious or planning to visit.

I also believe there are real opportunities back home, especially for people in the diaspora who have skills, ideas, or experience they can bring. Sometimes all it takes is visiting, connecting with people, and seeing things with your own eyes.

If you’re in Somaliland and open to connecting, feel free to share your thoughts. I’m looking forward to learning, exploring, supporting local businesses, and hopefully sharing positive updates on this subreddit soon.

With all the recent reports and discussions about possible international recognition before May 18, I honestly respect the president’s strategy of quiet diplomacy. Whether people agree or disagree politically, patience and strategy matter, and it feels like important changes may finally be happening.

But beyond politics, this is my message to everyone in the diaspora — whether you’re in the U.S., UK, Europe, Canada, Australia, or anywhere else: this is the time to seriously work on yourself and prepare for the future. The world is changing fast, uncertainty is everywhere, and too many people are financially and mentally unprepared. Create a schedule. Learn a skill. Fix your habits. Build discipline. Save money. Start an emergency fund and encourage your relatives back home to learn emergency saving too, because hard times can come unexpectedly.

Opportunity favors people who are prepared. Work on your deen, your health, your mindset, your career, and your consistency. Run the day instead of letting the day run you. I signed up for Reddit recently because I genuinely care about our people, and I want to use this platform to post encouragement, motivation, and productive conversations that help all of us grow together. We all have flaws, but this is the season to improve, prepare, and build something meaningful for ourselves and for the future.