Mohamed Ali Dini transforms the challenges of conflict into opportunities for growth. Growing up amidst Somalia’s civil war, he witnessed firsthand how a lack of economic prospects can leave young people in a state of prolonged stagnation – a period he calls “waithood.” This phenomenon, affecting millions of youth across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, fueled his mission to reshape youth empowerment on a global scale.
His groundbreaking work on “waithood” has fundamentally shifted the understanding of youth unemployment worldwide. As the founder of the Iftiin Foundation, Mohamed pioneered an innovative, community-driven approach that intertwines job creation with peace-building. This work, recognizing the unique potential within each community, earned him a place as an Aspen Institute Fellow and a BMW Foundation Responsible Leader. His highly-viewed talk exploring the link between youth unemployment and vulnerability to extremist ideologies has reached over 1 million viewers, establishing him as a significant voice in youth empowerment within complex environments.
Today, Mohamed leads Shaqo Platform, Somalia’s first locally-owned coalition that flips the concept of “waithood” on its head, transforming “work” into “work of dignity” (Shaqo Sharaf Leh). While many see youth unemployment as an insurmountable obstacle, he demonstrates that local communities are best positioned to drive their own economic transformation. Under his leadership, Shaqo Platform has evolved from a platform into a powerful movement, demonstrating that when communities lead their own solutions, they don’t just create jobs – they rebuild dignity and reshape futures.
A globally recognized speaker and thought leader whose insights have reached millions, Mohamed’s work on resilience and systemic change has been featured in The New York Times, New York Review of Books, Time Magazine, Harvard International Review, The Guardian, BBC, and Al Jazeera. His methodologies have transformed the lives of countless young people across dozens of nations. His writing explores the nexus of youth empowerment, economic development, and peace-building in conflict-affected regions. Mohamed holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Business Administration from The Ohio State University and a Juris Doctorate from Boston College Law School.
Mohamed continues to expand his vision of turning ‘waithood’ into opportunity. From young entrepreneurs in Mogadishu to dreamers in Manila to innovators in Mexico City, Mohamed sees in each individual not the burden of ‘waithood’, but the spark of untapped potential. Whether in big cities or remote villages, in wealthy nations or developing ones, the challenge of ‘waithood’ resonates with a generation seeking purpose and possibility. ‘In the face of waithood,’ he often says, ‘we don’t just wait. We create, we build, we empower, together”