Past Winners
Past Winners
The International Somali Awards celebrates outstanding achievements across various categories, recognizing the incredible contributions made within the community to promote growth and progress.
See our past winners below.
2023 Winners

Enza Home Somalia

Asad Hagio

Mariam Noor

Dr Mohamed Faisal

Ismail Ibrahim Warsame

Macalin Nuur
2021 Winners

Beydan

Awale Ahmed

Mama Hawa Mohamed Aden

Waafi

Astaan TV

Abdulkarim Abdallah Qubaye
2020 Winners

Muhidin Abubakar

Habo Tuna Factory

Dr. Hodan Isse

Abukar Awale

Ogow Health

Aar Maanta

Salaam Somali Bank

Dr Said Salah
2019 Winners

Abdullahi Haji

Hormuud Telecom

Ramla Ali

SOSTEC Inc

Dr Sada Mire

Aamin Ambulance

iRise Hub

Ajakis
2018 Winners

Fartun Osman

Daauus Creative Agency

Mubarik Mahmoud

Abaarso School

Chunkz

Ahmed Ismail Hussein ‘Hudeydi’
2023 Winners
Enza Home Somalia
Asad Hagio
Mariam Noor
Dr Mohamed Faisal
Ismail Ibrahim Warsame
Macalin Nuur
2021 Winners
Beydan
Awale Ahmed
Mama Hawa Mohamed Aden
Waafi
Astaan TV
Abdulkarim Abdallah Qubaye
2020 Winners
Muhidin Abubakar
Habo Tuna Factory
Dr. Hodan Isse
Abukar Awale
Ogow Health
Aar Maanta
Salaam Somali Bank
Dr Said Salah
2019 Winners
Abdullahi Haji
Hormuud Telecom
Ramla Ali
SOSTEC Inc
Dr Sada Mire
Aamin Ambulance
iRise Hub
Ajakis
2018 Winners
Fartun Osman
Daauus Creative Agency
Mubarik Mahmoud
Abaarso School
Chunkz
Ahmed Ismail Hussein ‘Hudeydi’

Macalin Nuur
Sports person of the year
Macalin Nuur is a football coaching veteran who is praised for leading the U17 team to success in 2022 which resulted in the country’s first-ever football trophy in any tournament, at any level. The team beat some of the best teams in Africa winning the trophy and restoring hope in Somalia’s footballing capabilities on the continent and beyond.

Enza Home
Business of the Year
Enza Home Somalia is a leading furniture store in Mogadishu, bringing the world’s fashionable furniture to Somali households. Enza Home Somalia brings a new way of furnishing with a modern, innovative, and environmentally friendly approach that is appreciated and enjoyed by many consumers in Somalia.

Ismail Ibrahim Warsame
Educational Achievement
At the age of 72 years old, Ismail Ibrahim Warsame graduated from university of Hargeisa with a Master of Arts in Development Studies, he became the oldest student ever to graduate from the university Hargeisa. Ismail is living proof that you are never too old to learn and is an inspiration to all.

Mariam Noor
Innovation
Mariam Noor is a Danish-Somali PostDoctoral Researcher. She made headlines when during her PhD she developed a medical device to treat leaking heart valves. Mariam spent three years on her innovative work, designing and developing a breakthrough alternative solution that could help patients suffering with leaking heart valves.

Dr Mohamed Faisal
Contribution
Dr Mohamed Faisal is a young healthcare professional who set up a First Aid and Trauma Training Center in cities across Somalia where he has trained over six thousand people. His impact continues to grow as the country benefits from his critical and life-changing skills.

Asad Hagio
Arts and Entertainment
Famous YouTuber Asad Hagio was once a victim of Al-Shabaab, where he was horrifically attacked inside his family owned photography studio. Asad survived the attack but is now paralyzed from the waist down. Nonetheless, this did not stop him from becoming a global entertainer with over a million subscribers on YouTube.
Fartun Osman
Sports person of the year
Fartun Osman was just 13 when she became the youngest player ever to join the Somali Women’s National Basketball team. After fleeing Civil War, Fartun emigrated to the United States and taught basketball to young girls in Minnesota. She’s recently been named assistant coach of the Somali Women’s National Basketball team, where she continues to work with the next generation of sportswomen.
Daauus Creative Agency
Business of the Year
Daauus Creative is the go-to agency for dynamic design and brand management in Somalia. They employ the best in Somali talent and boast an impressive team of young creatives. Daauus have worked with some of the country’s most high-profile businesses to help develop their brands and host events.
Abaarso School
Community Award
Abaarso School is a non-profit school changing the lives of children in Somaliland. Its students will become the first Somalia students for several decades to have the opportunity to earn scholarships to study in the United States – with the hope they will return home to become leaders in their own country, and on the world stage.
Chunkz
Arts and Entertainment Award
Chunkz is an entertainer whose digital content is followed by young people across Somalia. His ambition is to showcase Somali creativity, and his enthusiasm, passion and hard work in doing so, hasn’t gone unnoticed. With a strong online presence and following, Chunkz is a positive role model for young people, encouraging them to become content creators themselves.
Ahmed Ismail Hussein 'Hudeydi'
Lifetime achievement award
Ahmed Ismail Hussein ‘Hudeydi’ is a musician whose skill at playing the oud is respected the world over. His championing of Somali folk music has had an enormous impact on the cultural identity of his homeland and he’s fought tirelessly for Somali artistry to be recognised and celebrated.
Ramla Ali
Sports person of the year
Ramla Ali took up boxing after being teased for being overweight at school, now she is a national champion and a role model to young Somali women around the world. Ramla won the 2015 Novice National Championships and then the 2016 England Boxing Elite National Championship. Ramla made the biggest decision of her career; she will be representing Somalia in the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.
SOSTEC Inc
Business of the Year
SOSTEC Inc was founded by CEO Zahra Abdikarim and is now the leading provider of web services in Mogadishu. Zahra established the company due to the lack of technology services in the country at the time. Those who needed the service where looking aboard, as a result, they did not receive the best support, due to the language barrier, high prices and delivery time. SOSTEC Inc now provides reliable services for their customers with innovative products and services design
Dr Sada Mire
Outstanding Educational Achievement
Dr Sada Mire is a Swedish-Somali archaeologist, art historian and presenter. Dr Mire holds a PhD from UCL’s Institute of Archaeology, London. She is the only active Somali archaeologist, working in Somalia and Somaliland. Her numerous publications include a dozen peer-reviewed articles in leading journals on some of her notable archaeological and theoretical contributions. In 2017, the NewScientist Magazine selected Dr Mire as one of its most Inspiring Women in Science of all time.
Aamin Ambulance
Community Award
Aamin Ambulance provides free emergency service in Mogadishu, Somalia. Aamin Ambulance established by a group of young people, because there was no functioning public ambulance service after two decades of civil war in Somalia. Each one of their ambulances is equipped with the medical technology and professional staff necessary for pre-hospital care. Aamin Ambulance has received an award from the Ministry of Health and Social Services of the Federal Republic of Somalia.
iRise Hub
Innovative Award
Besides the devastating impact of Somalia’s civil war, an aspirational technology sector has been growing in the Horn of Africa nation for years. iRise is Mogadishu’s first tech community with the aim of building and empowering young entrepreneurs to build innovative solutions at home, in Somalia. iRise nurture and support start-ups with an ambient and fully equipped co-working space, training, entrepreneur programmes that transform ideas into businesses that create jobs and add value to Somalia’s economy.
Ajakis
Best Entertainment Award
Abdi Muriidi, also known as Ajakis, is a popular comedian who is famous for his witty, effortless jokes. He is not like any of the other comedians; he has a presence, both online and offline, which leaves his audience wanting more. From a young age Ajakis would enjoy watching Somali comedians, however, he never thought he would become one. He first discovered his skills when he was in school and all the kids would gather to hear his jokes. Now he entertains Somalis worldwide.
Abdullahi Haji
Lifetime achievement award
Abdullahi Haji is a multi-platform veteran broadcaster who has championed and innovated the media industry for over 40 years. He is held in high esteem by many for his hard-hitting, fearless and uncompromising journalistic style. Abdullahi Haji began his career in Ethiopian Radio before working for various European outlets such as Deutsche Welle (DW) – one of the largest news networks in Europe. After a successful tenure at DW, Abdullahi Haji decided to join the BBC Somali Service. It was at BBC where his regular attendance at the news desk was legendary as he never took a sick day off from broadcasting in over 40 years. An innovator, Abdullahi Haji is well known for inventing the modern Somali words, Barwaqo-Sooran (Commonwealth), Geedi-Socodka Nabadda (Peace process) and Maan-Dooriye (Drugs). His creative genius has been instrumental in furthering the literary culture of Somali’s.
Hormuud Telecom
Special Recognition Award
International Somali Award introduces the first recipient of the Special Recognition Award; Hormuud Telecom. Hormuud has played a key role in the nation-building of Somalia and stabilised economic markets in metropolitan zones such as Mogadishu when chaos engulfed other traditional institutions. After 16 years of resilience, Hormuud Telecom is now the leading telecommunication service providers in Somalia. Hormuud consistently helped build the future leaders of Somalia through continued support of many Somali orphanages with a heavy focus on education for the children and their future development. Hormuud also provides 10 university scholarships every year, to those who are excelling in their secondary education, however, can not afford the university fees. It is incredible to see a business who has played a big role in shaping Somali’s economy and also is helping shape Somalia’s future, though its future leaders.
Muhidin Abubakar
Sports person of the year
Muhidin Abubakar is a 21year old MMA fighter ranked #1 in the uk. Currently holder of 4 belts, LFC,Fightstar,Rise of champions and Cage warriors Academy. Muhidin is considered a young emerging star in the MMA world.
Habo Tuna Factory
Business of the Year
Habo Tuna is a leading producer, distributor and marketer of shelf-stable seafood products in East Africa. The factory is located Gulf Of Aden Sea in Somalia 60km from Allula district Puntland State of Somalia. Over the last few decades, Habo has continued to grow fresh and high-quality canned products for the local market and employs over 300 at its factory in Habo and another 700 fisherfolk.
Dr. Hodan Isse
Outstanding Educational Achievement
Dr. Hodan Isse is a Somali-American economics and finance academic with a PhD in Economics from George Mason University in Virginia. Dr. Isse is a certified Islamic Finance expert and clinical assistant professor emeritus at the University of Buffalo. Dr. Isse’s honours include recognition as one of 200 women who changed the world in 2017 and a member of the UN African Leader Network in 2018. Dr. Isse serves as a UNFPA and UNIEF goodwill ambassador for gender equality issues.
Abukar Awale
Community Award
The Qaadiid (Ban Khat) campaign is a movement which began in 2006 and brought about a landmark win in the U.K to ban the stimulant Khat. Awale has continued his work in Somalia, through school and university talks, to discourage young people from using the drug. The campaign has raised important conversations on the future well-being of Somali populations if the drug continues to be deregulated. @Abukarawale
Ogow Health
Innovative Award
OGOW EMR is designed to enable electronic medical records systems to be made available in hospitals across Somalia. Ogow EMR has received grants from foundations such as the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation to improve infant vaccination coverage. OGOW has received positive reviews for its innovative approach to promoting health and wellbeing. @OgowEMR
Aar Maanta
Arts and Entertainment
Aar Maanta is a Somali singer and song-writer who’s song ‘Tahriib’ was reproduced in 2017 by the UN as ‘Dangerous Crossings’ to promote a major campaign about irregular movements. Aar has served as artist in residence at the Minnesota Cedar Cultural Center. Aar is a recipient of the Joyce Award for the production of the first bilingual Somali/English children’s album in collaboration with his band and renowned Somali literary icon Professor Said Salah. @AarMaanta
Salaam Somali Bank
Special Recognition Award
Salaam Somali Bank (SSB) is the first privately owned bank in Somalia. We began our operations on October 2009. The bank is regulated by the Central Bank of Somalia. SSB is owned by trusted Somali business owners and is run by a dedicated team of professionals with over 20 years of experience in banking and financial management services.
Dr Said Salah
Life time achievement award
Dr Said Salah is a lifetime educator, presently teaching in the Department of American & African Studies at the University of Minnesota, teaching Somali language courses at all levels. Prior to his life in Minnesota, Dr Said wrote and directed a feature film in Somali/English called The Somali Dervish (1985). Presented in epic form, it charts the historic Dervish movement led by Sayid Mohamed Abdalla Hassan. Dr Said Salah is a living sample of the Somali music and arts, his contribution through books, songs, films and poetry is well recognised and appreciated amongst the Somalis and beyond.
Abdulkarim Abdallah Qubaye
Sports person of the year
Abdulkarim Abdallah Qubaye is regarded by many as the Messi of Somalia. For the past few years, he has dominated the minds of football fans across Somalia and beyond. He is a shining light in what has been a difficult few decade for Horseed FC. Qubaye is now leading the charge for rekindling the lost glory of Horseed FC who are the 2021 champions of Somalia’s first division league.
Beydan
Business of the Year
Beydan, a family run independent Coffee Shop located in the heart of Mogadishu, Somalia, revolutionising the way Somalia drinks coffee while using local products. Beydan is known for its aromatic coffee and its variety of delicious homemade cakes, pastries, and freshly prepared sandwiches. Somalia has seen a rise of the coffee culture, with Beydan being the first coffee shop in Mogadishu.
Awale Ahmed
Educational Achievement
Awale Ahmed is a remarkable young man that has excelled and made history as the first student to score the highest marks ever recorded in Somalia’s national exams history since the collapse of the Somali state. Awale has achieved this whilst facing enormous challenges which involved traveling through three regions in Somalia just to sit in the final exam.
Mama Hawa Mohamed Aden
Community Award
Waafi is an All-In-One fin-tech app, which gives clients access to a range of digital services across a singular platform. Consumers can access bank accounts, perform online transactions, book flights, book hotels, send international remittances and make international/domestic phone calls all from inside the app.
Waafi
Innovative Award
Waafi is an All-In-One fin-tech app, which gives clients access to a range of digital services across a singular platform. Consumers can access bank accounts, perform online transactions, book flights, book hotels, send international remittances and make international/domestic phone calls all from inside the app.
Arts and Entertainment
Innovative Award
Astaan TV is a privately owned and leading television channel in Somalia that nurtures and gives a platform to Somali culture, music and entertainment and sports by using high quality production and innovative ways of presenting entertaining programs.