The Pioneering Female Baristas Reshaping Somalia's Booming Coffee Culture – CoffeeTalk

Every morning at six, Saabiriin Hassan, one of Somalia’s pioneering female baristas, begins her day at Cplus Cafe in Mogadishu, where the enticing aroma of coffee mingles with her warm smile. At 23, she entered the coffee-making world out of curiosity during a time when no other women occupied barista positions in the city. She undertook a three-month training course in 2020, igniting her passion for the craft and helping to usher in a new café culture in a city historically fraught with conflict.

Despite early criticism labeling coffee-making as a male domain—a sentiment echoed by fears about societal perceptions regarding women serving men—Hassan remained undeterred, focusing on her aspirations. Six years into her career, she has witnessed a shift in attitudes, with more young women now entering the barista profession as security improves in Mogadishu, fostering the growth of new shopping malls and cafés.

This resurgence offers job opportunities for Somalia’s predominantly young population—over 70% are under age 35—amid high unemployment rates. Cafés not only provide employment but also allow for creative exchanges among artists and entrepreneurs. While coffee is gaining popularity, traditional Somali tea remains beloved, with some experimenting with innovative blends of the two.

Yusra Abdifatahi, a 21-year-old barista at Beydan Cafe, exemplifies this change. Since her promotion to branch manager, she uses her salary to fund her university studies and support her family, highlighting a newfound confidence and clarity in her life’s ambitions. Beydan, which started as a home bakery in 2018, now boasts more than ten branches, employing a significant proportion of women.

As the demand for skilled baristas increases, training centers are emerging across Mogadishu, with most students being women like Hassan herself, who also mentors aspiring baristas. Hassan’s efforts extend beyond the café; with over 70,000 TikTok followers, she shares her coffee-making journey, inspiring others to explore this once-overlooked profession. She advocates for young women to pursue various skills, emphasizing resilience against naysayers and expressing hope for her future venture of opening her own café, reflecting her belief in the potential of Somalia’s hospitality sector.

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